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Research Fund Case Studies

RCU has been carrying out research assignments on behalf of individual providers, consortia of providers, local authorities, awarding bodies, partnerships and government agencies for over 20 years.

We know that many practitioners in the sector want to undertake their own research but that some lack the skills and confidence to take on a project. In response to this, we decided to set up the Research Fund.

RCU invited organisations in the post-16 sector to submit proposals to carry out their own research. The selected projects were given a cash grant to cover direct costs and were offered in-kind support from RCU in the form of a mentor and help with implementing the research.

The clips below show extracts from the final project presentations by the three winners:

·         AoC South West Region – identifying the needs of the low carbon economy

·         Myerscough College – evaluating the impact of sustainability measures

·         New College Swindon – analysing the impact of a parenting course