widening participation: lifelong learning · tony ellis lifelong learning centre university of...

Widening Participation:

Lifelong Learning Perspectives

Tony Ellis

Lifelong Learning Centre

University of Leeds

“a broad view of widening participation encompassing a student’s entire lifecycle: preparing for and entering

higher education,

graduating successfully and

progressing to employment or postgraduate study”

Lifelong Learning

Challenges reductionist definitions of higher education

Who? – any age, background, individual/community

What? – learner-centred, personal/professional

How? multiple forms of institutional learning, learning from life

Equality and Diversity

Creative dynamic between

Lifelong learning as a right/inevitability

Customised strategies to address diversity

Lifelong Learning Centre

Adult Students

Foundation Year Students

Bespoke Programmes

Cross-University Service

Lifelong Learning Centre Partnerships

Responsiveness

Proactive support

Partnerships

Community / Employer

Long-term

Adding value

Realistic

Responsiveness

Curriculum design

Partnerships – students, employers

Accessibility

Proactive Support

Whole student life-cycle

In all aspects of the learner’s journey

Tony Ellis

Lifelong Learning Centre

University of Leeds

a.c.ellis@leeds.ac.uk