LSIS Leadership Research Programme 2006-10
Professor David Collinson with examples of LSIS research outputs 2006-10
Introduction
Between 2006 and 2010 the national programme of HE and practitioner research funded by the Learning & Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) (formerly CEL) was conducted, directed and managed by Professor David Collinson, as CEL/LSIS National Research Director. During this period, over £1.8 million research funding was secured to conduct projects at LUMS and other UK universities as well as by ‘practitioners’ working in the UK learning and skill sector.
As National Research Director, David was asked to create a ‘research footprint’ for the sector of theoretically-informed, applied research that could inform CEL/LSIS policies, programmes and practices. The Overview and Report Summaries shows that, over these 4 years, 91 CEL HE and practitioner research reports were published in various forms. The Practitioner Programme, in particular, was designed to produce ‘action research reports’ intended to stimulate real and substantial change in policies and practices. The findings and subsequent impact of this practitioner programme was showcased at the first National Practitioner Leadership Research Conference held in London in February 2009. As the Overview outlines, 71 practitioner research reports were published in 12 edited and themed volumes and as individual reports between 2006 and 2010.
Testimonials from Practitioner Researchers
Jill Westerman Principal Northern College, Barnsley
"Both LSIS and Lancaster University should be justifiably proud of the Leadership Practitioner Research Programme: LSIS for its vision and commitment to developing leadership in the sector and recognition of the value of sector specific research as a key part of this development, and Lancaster University and Margaret and David Collinson for the way in which they turned this vision into reality; a reality that now takes the form of many and varied published research projects.
Tight deadlines were set for the research and the production of the finished reports, which may have initially appeared impossible to the many novice researchers who were involved in the programme over the years; the university, via David and Margaret, provided exactly the right sort and amount of support to enable this group to meet these deadlines: from refining their proposals, research methodology and scope through to producing crisp, readable and original reports.
For me personally, taking part in the research and reading the research reports was invaluable as I moved from senior management to an FE Principal's post. The impact in terms of the sector can be judged both anecdotally, by the number of colleagues who have referred to the research in discussion, and from the excitement and buzz of the national conference where much of the work was disseminated. The combination of the application of theory, the research findings and the sector expertise of the researchers has produced reports which are both scholarly and importantly have clear practical applications that leaders and managers are able to draw on to inform both thinking and practice."
Edward Sallis OBE Principal and Chief Executive Highlands College
"The output from the programme speaks for itself, volume after volume of well researched, practical research that has made a difference in colleges. Staff who had not undertaken research before have been trained to produce good readable and transferable results. In my own college the Practitioner Research Programme has changed our culture. It has stimulated our own research and importantly this new scholarly activity underpins our Foundation degree programme and I know the same is true for many other colleges who are developing their HE profile...........Students tell me how important the insights into the leadership process are for their thinking........It is a tremendous achievement and one you can be justly proud of."
Reg. Chapman OBE Education Consultant (ex. Principal of Blackpool and Fylde College)
"David created a new model of Practitioner Research and stimulated many within the sector to investigate relevant topics within tight timescales. The commissioning and management of the projects has been exemplary. Clear guidlines have been set, researchers well briefed, support provided when necessary and researchers trusted to get on with the task of producing their findings subject to interim reports and intervention only by exception. David's trust in the researchers has been vindicated by the outputs........The results of David's quiet, un-fussy, but hugely professional leadership are evident in the number and range of the reports. The speedy turnaround between submisssion of the reports to their publication says much for David's editorial eye, dedication and excellent operational management . David has shown outstanding leadership with meticulous and good humoured operational management of the project. He has created a workable model which Lancaster can be proud of and I hope LSIS and the sector can take it forward."
Overview Download
PDF Overview of the CEL/LSIS Research Programme 2006-10 & Summaries of 71 Practitioner Research Reports
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LSIS Research 2006-10 Overview
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