9 May, 2017 HERC hosted a seminar on Beyond Access? Social mobility and life chances of non-traditional students after graduation

On 9 May, 2017 HERC was pleased to host the above seminar with Professor John Field, as part of seminar series 'Higher education in challenging times: questioning the unquestioned'.

While some progress has been made in widening access to higher education for students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds and also different age groups, little is known about what happens after graduation. As is well documented in relation to women, participation in higher education does not guarantee equality of subsequent outcomes. Professor John Field drew on data from across Europe to examine patterns of social mobility and the impact of higher education on the life chances of ‘non-traditional’ students after they complete their studies. The session included a response from Dr Anne Looney, Dean of the DCU Institute of Education, and recently Interim CEO of the Higher Education Authority in Ireland. 

John Field is Adjunct Professor in HERC and Emeritus Professor in the School of Education, University of Stirling. Between 2002 and 2007, he was Deputy Principal (Research) leading the REF (Research Excellence Framework) strategy for Stirling. Previous positions include Professor and Director of Continuing Education at Warwick University and Director of Continuing Education, University of Ulster. He has a long-standing interest and involvement in lifelong learning and extensive engagement with research and policy activities at national and international levels. He is author or editor of 9 books and over 200 chapters, papers and articles, including Lifelong Learning and the New Educational Order (first published in 2000 and now in its 3rd edition).