Examples of Research Studies

Research that has been undertaken by Hi-SPEC staff in partnership with our Charitable Foundation NEF and partner organisations include:

Skills & Professional Development

·          Developing Technicians project which identified ways to promote the grade across industry sectors.

·          Continuing Professional Development (CPD) including (2002-03):

o         University Provision of CPD to SET Sectors

o         Assessing the availability of SET e-Learning courses and materials

o         Role of CPD in Emerging Technology Sectors (e.g. Nanotechnologies) 

·          Surveying the Skills Needs of Manufacturing SMEs (2002/03)

·          Building for the Future: Understanding the Needs of Lecturers of Engineering & Technology Education in FE Colleges (Phase 2 in progress)

·          Evaluation of the Impact of Foundation Degrees in the Engineering Sector (In progress)

·          Survey of Professional Development activities in Engineering & Technology Departments within the Further Education sector (2004/05)

·          Understanding the Needs of Lecturers of Engineering and Technology Education in FE Colleges (in progress).

Productivity and Innovation & Knowledge Exchange

·          Productivity, Innovation and the Professional Development of Engineers demonstrating how crucial boosting skills is to wealth creation. (2004)

·          Knowledge and Technology Exchange in Further Education Colleges (2006).

National Educational Programmes

·          A national Fellowship Scheme providing staff development funds for some 200 lecturers from the over 60 FE colleges over the period of 2005- 2007.  

Educational Resources

·          E-learning resources (Innovation, Creativity, Entrepreneurship, Business Engagement) – available now through the New Engineering Virtual  Knowledge Centre and educational CDs (2004)

·          Benchmarking International e-CPD in the SET sector (2003)