All Outputs (71)

Earn as you learn: Widening participation through apprenticeships as debt-free degrees (2021)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Meharg, D., Smith, S., Taylor-Smith, E., & Khristin, F. (2021, March). Earn as you learn: Widening participation through apprenticeships as debt-free degrees. Presented at Advance HE Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Conference 2021, Online

Apprenticeship Degrees provide opportunities to study for a degree without incurring debt. Collaborations between employers and HEIs enable new or established employees to earn while they learn, with their fees paid. This facilitates people to study... Read More about Earn as you learn: Widening participation through apprenticeships as debt-free degrees.

Associate Student Project: Facilitating computing students’ transition to higher education (2021)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Taylor-Smith, E., Meharg, D., Fabian, K., & Varey, A. (2021, March). Associate Student Project: Facilitating computing students’ transition to higher education. Presented at Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Conference 2021, Online

The Associate Student (ASP) project supports Computing students who study two years at a Further Education college (achieving an HND) then transfer directly into third year, studying for two more years to complete an honours degree (BSc or BEng). Stu... Read More about Associate Student Project: Facilitating computing students’ transition to higher education.

An exploration of degree apprentice perspectives: A Q methodology study (2021)
Journal Article
Fabian, K., Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, S., Meharg, D., & Varey, A. (2022). An exploration of degree apprentice perspectives: A Q methodology study. Studies in Higher Education, 47(7), 1397-1409. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2021.1897094

Degree apprenticeships have recently been introduced in the UK, representing a significant shift in approaches to degree-level study: from traditional models of higher education to workplaces as locations for learning. As the model matures it is impo... Read More about An exploration of degree apprentice perspectives: A Q methodology study.

Computing degree apprenticeships: An opportunity to address gender imbalance in the IT sector? (2020)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, S., Taylor-Smith, E., Fabian, K., Barr, M., Berg, T., Cutting, D., Paterson, J., Young, T., & Zarb, M. (2020, October). Computing degree apprenticeships: An opportunity to address gender imbalance in the IT sector?. Presented at Frontiers in Education, Upsala, Sweden

This paper explores the potential for new work-based apprenticeship degrees to encourage more women into computing degrees and the IT sector. In the UK, women are currently under-represented on computing courses. Meanwhile the IT industry requires mo... Read More about Computing degree apprenticeships: An opportunity to address gender imbalance in the IT sector?.

Degree apprenticeships - a win-win model? A comparison of policy aims with the expectations and experiences of apprentices (2020)
Journal Article
Smith, S., Caddell, M., Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, C., & Varey, A. (2022). Degree apprenticeships - a win-win model? A comparison of policy aims with the expectations and experiences of apprentices. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 73(4), 505-525. https://doi.org/10.1080/13636820.2020.1744690

This article compares policy aims with experiences following the introduction of a new model for STEM apprenticeships in the UK. Degree apprentices work while studying for a degree, undertaking work-based learning and attending on-campus classes. Spe... Read More about Degree apprenticeships - a win-win model? A comparison of policy aims with the expectations and experiences of apprentices.

Facilitating computing students' transition to higher education (2019)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Fabian, K., Taylor-Smith, E., Meharg, D., & Varey, A. (2019, September). Facilitating computing students' transition to higher education. Presented at 1st UK & Ireland Computing Education Research Conference (UKICER), Canterbury, United Kingdom

Students who progress to higher education from further education colleges are faced with academic, social, and logistical challenges during their transition. In general, they find university life more challenging compared to students who have been at... Read More about Facilitating computing students' transition to higher education.

Bridging the Digital Skills Gap: Are computing degree apprenticeships the answer? (2019)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, S., Fabian, K., Berg, T., Meharg, D., & Varey, A. (2019, July). Bridging the Digital Skills Gap: Are computing degree apprenticeships the answer?. Presented at Innovation & Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE’19), Aberdeen, Scotland

This paper describes a study investigating whether apprenticeship computing degrees in Scotland are attracting additional entrants who will become IT professionals and fill a skills need. Government policy reports, from around the world, set out plan... Read More about Bridging the Digital Skills Gap: Are computing degree apprenticeships the answer?.

Identity and belonging for graduate apprenticeships in computing: the experience of first cohort degree apprentices in Scotland (2019)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, S., & Smith, C. (2019, July). Identity and belonging for graduate apprenticeships in computing: the experience of first cohort degree apprentices in Scotland. Presented at Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE), Aberdeen

In September 2017, our university’s first graduate apprentices began degrees in Software Development, Cybersecurity, and Information Technology Management for Business. This study explores how apprentices experience their association with the univers... Read More about Identity and belonging for graduate apprenticeships in computing: the experience of first cohort degree apprentices in Scotland.

Equality of opportunity for work experience? Computing students at two UK universities “play the game” (2019)
Journal Article
Smith, S., Taylor-Smith, E., Bacon, L., & Mackinnon, L. (2019). Equality of opportunity for work experience? Computing students at two UK universities “play the game”. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 40(3), 324-339. https://doi.org/10.1080/01425692.2018.1489219

A recent UK Government commissioned study found concerning levels of unemployment among computing students from disadvantaged, black and minority ethnic backgrounds. The study highlighted that work experience was a factor in increased levels of gradu... Read More about Equality of opportunity for work experience? Computing students at two UK universities “play the game”.

The impact of work placement on graduate employment in computing: outcomes from a UK-based study (2018)
Journal Article
Smith, S., Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, C., & Webster, G. (2018). The impact of work placement on graduate employment in computing: outcomes from a UK-based study. International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning, 19(4), 359-369

This study followed recent computing graduates into the workplace and explored their undergraduate experiences of work placements and subsequent impact on graduate employment. Whilst studying at one of 14 Scottish universities, participants (n=99) ha... Read More about The impact of work placement on graduate employment in computing: outcomes from a UK-based study.

Graduate apprenticeships are great opportunities for individuals, but are they inclusive? (2018)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, S., & Varey, A. (2018, December). Graduate apprenticeships are great opportunities for individuals, but are they inclusive?. Paper presented at Society for Research into Higher Education (SRHE) Annual Conference, Newport, Wales

Higher education-level apprenticeships can provide routes to university degrees for people without the financial resources for traditional degrees. In Scotland, the first cohorts of graduate apprentices began their studies in 2017, including cohorts... Read More about Graduate apprenticeships are great opportunities for individuals, but are they inclusive?.

Enhancing learning confidence for direct entry computing students (2018)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Fabian, K., Taylor-Smith, E., Meharg, D., & Varey, A. (2018, December). Enhancing learning confidence for direct entry computing students. Paper presented at The Changing Shape of Higher Education: Can excellence and inclusion cohabit?, Newport, UK

Previous studies have shown that students who transfer into university from college (direct entrants) face several challenges when they enter university. In response, the Associate Student Project supports students who enter university directly into... Read More about Enhancing learning confidence for direct entry computing students.

Democratic Participation through Crocheted Memes. (2018)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, C. F., & Smyth, M. (2018). Democratic Participation through Crocheted Memes. In SMSociety '18 Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Social Media and Society (178-186). https://doi.org/10.1145/3217804.3217910

In a UK city, various crocheted protest banners have appeared, containing political statements concerning planned developments in their locations. Photos of these banners are shared across social media, raising awareness and potentially playing a rol... Read More about Democratic Participation through Crocheted Memes..

STEM Apprenticeship Degrees: Motivations and aspirations of apprentices (2018)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, S., Taylor-Smith, E., Meharg, D., Smith, C., & Varey, A. (2018, June). STEM Apprenticeship Degrees: Motivations and aspirations of apprentices. Paper presented at Horizons in STEM Higher Education, Hull

Using the Apprenticeship Levy, England piloted Degree Apprenticeships in 2014 and Scotland followed with Graduate Apprenticeships in 2017. In Scotland, the apprenticeships are determined by employer demand for skills and delivered by universities. Gr... Read More about STEM Apprenticeship Degrees: Motivations and aspirations of apprentices.

From work-integrated learning to learning-integrated work: motivations and apprehensions of Graduate Apprentices (2018)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, S., Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, C., & Varey, A. (2018, June). From work-integrated learning to learning-integrated work: motivations and apprehensions of Graduate Apprentices. Presented at 3rd International Research Symposium on Cooperative and Work-Integrated Education (WACE), Stuttgart, Germany

Graduate Apprenticeship (GA) degrees bring new collaborations between universities and employers and new opportunities for apprentices—to gain a university degree, while also being in formal employment. In 2017, Scotland introduced funding for GAs: s... Read More about From work-integrated learning to learning-integrated work: motivations and apprehensions of Graduate Apprentices.

Investigating the online and offline contexts of day-to-day democracy as participation spaces. (2018)
Journal Article
Taylor-Smith, E., & Smith, C. F. (2019). Investigating the online and offline contexts of day-to-day democracy as participation spaces. Information, Communication and Society, 22(13), 1853-1870. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118x.2018.1469656

Citizen-led participation in democracy is explored through studying the online and offline spaces where people work together to influence those in power and improve their communities. The concept of a participation space is introduced to describe the... Read More about Investigating the online and offline contexts of day-to-day democracy as participation spaces..

Placement or practicalities? Barriers and disincentives to work experience, as reported by computing students (2017)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, S., & Smith, C. (2017, December). Placement or practicalities? Barriers and disincentives to work experience, as reported by computing students. Paper presented at Society for Research Into Higher Education (SRHE) Annual Conference

Having relevant work experience, such as a placement or internship, is valued by employers in the technology sector and can improve employment outcomes for computing graduates (Shadbolt 2016). However, gaining good work experience positions is compet... Read More about Placement or practicalities? Barriers and disincentives to work experience, as reported by computing students.

Towards graduate employment: exploring student identity through a university-wide employability project (2017)
Journal Article
Smith, S., Smith, C., Taylor-Smith, E., & Fotheringham, J. (2019). Towards graduate employment: exploring student identity through a university-wide employability project. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 43(5), 628-640. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877x.2017.1390077

Students have expectations of their university education leading to graduate careers, with universities investing considerable resources in institution-wide initiatives designed to enhance opportunities for student work placements and work-related le... Read More about Towards graduate employment: exploring student identity through a university-wide employability project.

Taking education for granted: the role of placement in computing science (2017)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, S., Smith, C., Taylor-Smith, E., & Gemma, W. (2017, June). Taking education for granted: the role of placement in computing science. Presented at Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference

The importance of placements and internships was highlighted in the 2016 Shadbolt Review of Computer Science Degree Accreditation and Graduate Employability – indeed the second recommendation of the review was to extend and promote work experience .... Read More about Taking education for granted: the role of placement in computing science.

An Enhanced Route from FE to HE Graduation? (2017)
Journal Article
Meharg, D., Taylor-Smith, E., Varey, A., Mooney, C., & Dallas, S. (2017). An Enhanced Route from FE to HE Graduation?. Journal of Perspectives in Applied Academic Practice, 5(2), 85-92. https://doi.org/10.14297/jpaap.v5i2.269

This study explores student transitions from further (FE) to higher (HE) education through the Associate Student Project (ASP) and examines the effectiveness of this enhanced transition programme for direct entry students. Universities are expected t... Read More about An Enhanced Route from FE to HE Graduation?.