Institute for Education Policy Research

Two-day Seminar on Monday & Tuesday 3rd 4th April 2006

hosted by

University of Ulster and Staffordshire University

Stormont Hotel, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Seminar fee £85 (plus £30 optional payment for Reception andDinner on Monday evening)

Widening Access to Higher Education
in the UK and Ireland

Examining patterns of participation, student finance and widening access policies in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, together with the Republic of Ireland

The seminar will be research-based with up-to-date findings on the effects of the widening participation agenda in the UK and Ireland.

It will also include presentations from each of the Funding Councils on exactly how the new funding arrangements are expected to take shape – both policy and financial arrangements for students will be discussed.

Speakers to include:

Professor Nick Adnett (Staffordshire University)
Professor Miriam David (Institute of Education, London)
Professor Heather Eggins (Staffordshire University)
Professor Jim Gallacher (Glasgow Caledonian University)
Mr Michael Hipkins (DfES)
Mr Laurence Howells (Learning Policy and Strategy Scottish Funding Council)
Mr Rob Humphreys (NIACE, WALES)
Ms Celia Hunt (HEFCW)
Mr Michael Kelly (HEA)
Mr David McAuley (DEL)
Professor Gareth Parry (University of Sheffield)
Professor Philip O'Connell (ESRI)
Professor Bob Osborne (University of Ulster)
Dr John Rigg (Scottish Executive)
Dr John Cresswell (OECD)
Dr Chris Taylor (Cardiff University)
Dr Mary-Liz Trant (HEA)
Mr Kevin Whitston (HEFCE)

This event is supported by the Department of Employment and Learning (Northern Ireland) and the Higher Education Authority (Republic of Ireland)