Collaboration and contestation in further and higher education partnerships in England: a Bourdieusian field analysis

Internationally, ‘College for All’ policies are creating new forms of vocational higher education (HE), and shifting relationships between HE and further education (FE) institutions. In this paper, we consider the way in which this is being implemented in England, drawing on a detailed qualitative case study of a regional HE–FE partnership to widen participation. We focus on the complex mix of collaboration and contestation that arose within it, and how these affected socially differentiated groups of students following high- and low-status routes through its provision. We outline Bourdieu’s concept of ‘field’ as a framework for our analysis and interpretation, including its theoretical ambiguities regarding the definition and scale of fields. Through hermeneutic dialogue between data and theory, we tentatively suggest that such partnerships represent bridges between HE and FE. These bridges are strong between higher-status institutions, but highly contested between lower-status institutions competing closely for distinction. We conclude that the trajectories and outcomes for socially disadvantaged students require attention and collective action to address the inequalities they face, and that our theoretical approach may have wider international relevance beyond the English case

Neoliberalism is not a theory of everything: a Bourdieuian analysis of illusio in educational research

 Despite the frequency with which the concept of neoliberalism is employed within academic literature, its complex and multifaceted nature makes it difficult to define and describe. Indeed, data reported in this article suggest that there is a tendency in educational research to make extensive use of the word ‘neoliberalism’ (or its variants neoliberal, neo-liberal and neo-liberalism) as a catch-all for something negative but without offering a definition or explanation. The article highlights a number of key risks associated with this approach and draws on the Bourdieuian concept of illusio to suggest the possibility that when as educational researchers we use the word ‘neoliberalism’ in this way, rather than interrupting the implementation of neoliberal policies and practices, we may, in fact, be further entrenching the neoliberal doxa. That is to say, we are both playing the neoliberal game and inadvertently demonstrating our belief that it is a game worth being played. In so doing, this article seeks to extend understandings of what illusio means within the context of educational research

No fit, no fun : the effect of motive incongruence on job burnout and the mediating role of intrinsic motivation

We developed and tested the hypotheses that motive incongruence (i.e., incongruence between a person's implicit and explicit motives) would be associated with higher job burnout and that this relation would be mediated by lower intrinsic motivation. The results of an online study with 49 executives enrolled in an Executive MBA program confirmed the hypotheses. The findings are discussed with respect to the theoretical conceptualization of impaired intrinsic motivation as a consequence of motive incongruence. On the basis of our findings, interventions ought to be directed at helping people gain an improved understanding of their implicit motives rather than trusting their perceptions in identifying job stressors that need to be removed.4 page(s

Influence of annealing and blending of photoactive polymers on their crystalline structure

Thin photoactive polymer films of poly(3-octylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3OT) and poly(2,5-di(hexyloxy)cyanoterephthalylidene) (CN-PPV) are investigated. With X-ray reflectivity measurements, a linear concentration-thickness dependence is found for both polymers and the molecular weight of CN-PPV is determined from this concentration-thickness dependence. Based on the molecular weights, the critical blending ratio is determined. Grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) is used to probe the crystallinity of thin films and to determine characteristic length scales of the crystalline structure. Moreover, the orientation of the crystalline parts regarding the substrate of both the homopolymer and the blended films is probed with GIWAXS. Temperature annealing is found to improve the crystallization for both homopolymers. In addition, reorientation of the predominant crystalline structures takes place. Blending both polymers reduces or even suppresses the crystallization during spin coating as well as temperature annealing. Absorption measurements complement the structural investigations

Degrees of difference: examining the scope, provision and equity effects of degrees in vocational institutions: interim project report

The project aims to identify effects on equity of broadening participation to undergraduate degrees through the recent expansion of higher education in vocational institutions and understand the effects of these degrees on enabling the higher education system to respond to the global drivers for social and economic restructuring through new forms of distinction. The intended outcome will provide policy relevant knowledge for institutions, States and national government about the effects of this expansion on creating opportunities for more equity groups to obtain degrees and for the higher education system to better drive national innovation and economic restructuring in ways that gives a fairer chance to all equity groups to participate. The research contributes to strengthening Australia\u27s social and economic fabric, examining the expansion of higher education by increasing the choice of degrees offered in vocational institutions and fairer chances for equity groups to access high level employment. The research will impact and inform the activities of vocational institutions offering degrees, and inform Australian government strategies in reforming higher education to meet national innovation needs for economic restructuring. The project research will be based in a number of case study sites and the research design includes: analysis of public statistical data and documents; interviews with staff and sector representatives; focus groups with students and graduates; survey of students; focus groups with employers, career counsellors and migration agents