So during COVID-19 we had unique access to data on the use of the Welsh Govt Hwb digital learning platform by pupils and staff. We were able to analyse the use of this key online platform over time and by school. bera-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

<em>British Educational Research Journal</em> | BERA Journal | Wiley Online Library

The global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on school education has been unprecedented, with widespread school closures and the need for education to be delivered remotely. By providing an overview of...

bera-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Incredible turnout for our #SPARK disability research showcase. We have lightening talks, videos and posters on disability research from across @cardiffunilib.bsky.social And we are delighted to have colleagues from Disability Wales, the Disability Rights Taskforce, Welsh Govt, etc, in our audience

Last week #SPARK hosted its first community lab with residents & stakeholders to find practical ways of creating better community-police relationships. Part of our #CathaysFutures series - taking small steps for evidence-informed and sustainable change with our local community.

This is an incredibly good idea. It should be obvious that this is needed, but that’s what happens in an ableist society. Now, what about other funders… ESRC??

Hetan Shah@hetanshah.bsky.social · 2y ago

We have set up an 'additional needs' fund that can be used both by our current awardees, but also people who want to apply for a grant but may require additional support - e.g. for equipment. The main use so far has been for care responsibilities www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/addi...

It's ESRC's 60th birthday in 2025 - keep an eye out for how we are planning to celebrate! In the meantime, if you're interested in how our history connects to our current strategic thinking take a look at @stianwestlake.bsky.social's blog below.

Stian Westlake@stianwestlake.bsky.social · 2y ago

2025 is the ESRC's 60th anniversary year! Our precursor organisation, the Social Science Research Council, was founded in 1965; its first director was Michael Young, who had argued for its creation for two decades.

‘Invoking the Discourse of Children's Rights in Campaigns Around Public Space’. Our latest article discusses the problematic blurring of adult and children’s rights. Has wider importance for the enactment of Future Generations approaches to policy and planning. doi.org/10.1111/chso...

A very good opinion piece on the removal of Of Mice and Men from GCSE in Wales highlighting the complexity of culture, politics and education by @nelsabbey.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Would you drop Of Mice and Men from the exam syllabus? The answer isn’t black and white | Nels Abbey

The book will no longer be studied at GCSE in Wales because many find the racial slurs upsetting. That’s culture war fodder, but it shouldn’t be, says author and broadcaster Nels Abbey

theguardian.com

As The Telegraph launches a new interactive tool to show which schools seem to get more pupils into Oxbridge it is important to note that this is underpinned by serious research on school effects and university participation www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

The effect of schools on school leavers’ university participation

This paper considers the role that schools have in determining whether school leavers participate in higher education or not. It examines the association between schools and university participatio...

tandfonline.com

Another busy week in #SPARK. Celebrating the 1st year of Hartree Centre Cardiff Hub supporting SMEs in use of AI. Strategic discussions around global-civic and futures studies in the university - both central to #SPARK ambitions. And valuable discussion with Cardiff Capital Region on ‘missions’

Delighted to represent #SPARK at the @cardiffcyclecity.bsky.social Awards last night where we were nominated (and won) the award for workplace doing the most to encourage cycling. Great event at the Bike Lock Cafe with @leewaters.bsky.social @sarahmerry.bsky.social and Mark Drakeford #cycling

Highlights from this week in #SPARK 1. Progressing our new behavioural lab with great conversation with Dina Rabie who has set up similar labs in other unis 2. Contributing to the @universitieswales.bsky.social and Medr civic mission symposium, discussing the future of the civic university

If you want to know more about the Cardiff University Social Science Research Park or #SPARK please see www.cardiff.ac.uk/spark

Social Science Research Park (SPARK)

We are a community driven by expertise, creativity, curiosity and entrepreneurship.

cardiff.ac.uk

So, I’ve been thinking about how I might use Bluesky differently (or not) to the other place and I’ve decided one thing I will do is provide weekly updates from the Social Science Research Park at Cardiff University (if you want to know more about this see link in my profile)