Welcome to the Learning and Skills Research Centre
In recent years government supported the development of evidence-informed policy and the use of research to improve practice. A number of major research centres were established by the DfES, which focus on all phases of education. The Learning and Skills Research Centre was sponsored by the DfES and LSC to focus solely on post-16 learning. The LSRC was located at and managed by the Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA). It drew on the expertise of the LSDA's Research Directorate and research services. The LSRC's programme of work was conducted by external suppliers and partners from the research community, guided by the LSRC's Advisory Forum and the LSDA's Research Managers.
In 2006 the LSDA ceased to exist and became the QIA; the core contract with LSDA and LSC that supported the research was terminated.
Open and fair procedures for commissioning
The LSRC commissioned researched through competitive tender, advertised in the national press and on the LSRC website, with wide circulation of information to the research community. Advice was sought from external experts and stakeholders through 'merit' and 'peer' review processes and through advisory groups.
Aims of the LSRC
The centre aimed to:
- commission studies which tackle fundamental problems and long-term trends that affect the organisation and delivery of post-16 learning
- enhance the impact of research on policy and practice
- help to increase the overall research effort nationally in post compulsory education by support for the research community, partnership, brokerage and seeking new sponsorship and funding for post-16 research
- build on existing knowledge from research and practice, engaging in reviews of research, synthesising findings and facilitating better communication of research-based information and ideas
- contribute to the development of capacity in post-16 research
- develop a wider range of research methods
- engage in 'blue skies' studies, forward thinking, trend analysis and other activity which helps us to explore the future intelligently and to predict the need for adaptation or radical.
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