College is Recognised for its Research
City College Norwich has been recognised as a Research-Engaged College by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER). The college, which has its own Research Centre, is one of just seven schools and colleges in the country to have been awarded this status.
The Research Centre undertakes projects that are of direct practical benefit for improving teaching and learning, aiding the development of courses and improving the student experience. The Research Centre has recently carried out research into the personalisation of learning in different vocational areas, the development of e-learning, mentoring to promote progression to higher education, and experiences of Foundation Degrees.
Another important area of work by the Research Centre has been its development of the SOUL Record, a toolkit for the measurement of soft outcome progression and informal learning which is now in widespread use across the UK and Ireland.
City College Norwich was the first college in the country to have its own research centre. Since 1996 the Research Centre has been providing the college with evidence to inform its decision making, evaluate performance and help identify good practice in teaching and training. The expertise provided by the Research Centre also helps support research activity by the college’s higher education students and among its teaching staff.
On Wednesday 21st July the seven NFER research-engaged institutions will come together to celebrate their achievement and share ideas for further supporting research in education at a special event at St Andrews House in Norwich.
Dick Palmer, Principal, City College Norwich said: “I am delighted that City College Norwich has been recognised as a research-engaged institution by NFER. The work of our Research Centre provides a real benefit to the college, both through its published research outputs and in helping to ensure that our improvement processes are backed up by good evidence.”
The Research-Engaged College award is granted by NFER, with the support of the Learning and Skills Improvement Service, the National Union of Teachers, the Institute for Learning, the National College for Leadership of Schools and Children's Services and the Education Journal. Further information about this award and how to become a Research-Engaged School or College can be found on the NFER website: www.nfer.ac.uk/what-we-offer/schools/research-engaged-award/
For more information about The Research Centre, including access to its published research reports, articles and regular Research & Development Bulletin, please visit: www.theresearchcentre.co.uk/