Generative AI for educators: Opening the ‘black box’ behind its use

Artificial Intelligence in educational research and practice

Generative AI (GAI) is a form of AI that utilises machine learning and deep learning techniques to generate new data (such as text and images) (Yu et al., 2023). However, teachers’ application...

Financial forecasts in England’s multi-academy trusts could have a lasting impact on children’s learning

Budget planning in schools is like navigating a ship through unpredictable seas, awash with rising costs, fluctuating pupil numbers and financial vulnerability. All schools must balance resources...

Editorial: Potential pathways towards an integrated tertiary education system in England

This BERA Blog special issue examines possible futures for tertiary education in England and the challenges that are faced by policymakers, institutional leaders, educators and researchers in...

What might a unitary tertiary education system mean for England?

‘Tertiary’ is a wide-ranging term used increasingly by policymakers and commentators as a panacea for a future post-16 education and training system in England (Hazelkorn, 2023). What could...

How can reforms towards a tertiary education system support adult lifelong learning across all dimensions of society?

A ‘seamless’ system (Bathmaker et al., 2008), that integrates further and higher education under one umbrella, and brings together vocational, professional and academic education and training,...

Why a tertiary education system built on skills, without knowledge, will be an engine of inequality

England’s move towards an integrated tertiary education system presents an opportunity to radically redesign post-compulsory education. Rather than an elite system of education that is founded...

Competition to co-ordination: Developing a place-based tertiary education system

The idea of a unified ‘tertiary education’ is gaining increasing prominence in UK education and training (E&T) policy discourse. In the language of international development organisations...

Strengthening synergies: Research, innovation and the future of tertiary education

Education and training (E&T) and research and innovation (R&I) are core pillars of tertiary education. This blog post explores the intrinsic interconnection between E&T and R&I, the fragmentation...

How a tertiary education system could transform access and progression: Learners need diverse routes, not just the high jump

The Labour Party is in government again and education underpins its opportunity mission. Policy appears to be focused on curriculum, assessment and inspection reform in schools (see DfE, 2024;...