TASO

@taso.org.uk

Transforming Access & Student Outcomes in Higher Education (TASO). We identify and disseminate effective practice in widening access and participation.

At our 2026 conference, Uni of Staffordshire presented their approach to decentralising the evaluation of their APP. In this piece, they explore how collaboration, governance, shared responsibility and student involvement shaped the approach – and what they learned. taso.org.uk/news-blog/de...

Decentralising APP Evaluation: Lessons in collaboration and governance - TASO

Juan Raman Mullor reflects on University of Staffordshire’s approach to decentralising access and participation plan evaluation, forging effective partnerships and building methods and processes aroun...

taso.org.uk

Our Mapping Outcomes and Activities Tools (MOATs) – the pre-entry MOAT, attainment-raising MOAT and post-entry MOAT – enable consistent coding of outcomes and activities, ensuring robust planning and evaluation. Explore the resources: taso.org.uk/libraryitem/...

The image features a blue gradient background with a faded image of six students walking on campus. There is a white TASO logo at the top left, followed by the word "RESOURCE" in green. The main title reads "Mapping Outcomes and Activities Tool" in large white text. On the right side, there is a green icon of two location pins with tracking lines between them.

Our access and success questionnaire (ASQ) is key to better assessing access and student success initiatives. It provides validated scales to measure intermediate outcomes, allowing you to check if and how your initiatives are working. Learn more: taso.org.uk/libraryitem/...

Access and Success Questionnaire (ASQ) - TASO

The Access and Success Questionnaire (ASQ) provides a set of validated survey scales that can be used by the higher education sector to evaluate its access and student success activities. The scales c...

taso.org.uk

Our report explores the implementation of transition support & reasonable adjustments for disabled students, revealing key challenges & successes. For instance, only 12% of registered students accessed transition support & gaps in physical accessibility are significant. taso.org.uk/news-item/ne...

A blue-to-turquoise gradient overlays a photograph of students sitting together and using laptops. The TASO logo appears at the top left, with a green clasped-hands icon at the top right. Large white text reads: “Supporting disabled students: Mapping reasonable adjustments and transition support.

How do you make data-driven stories more impactful? Our data visualisation style guide provides a curated collection of best practices designed to help you create clear, compelling charts and graphs that engage your audience. Explore the guide: taso.org.uk/libraryitem/...

Data visualisation style guide - TASO

We have developed a data visualisation style guide for those who see the storytelling potential in data, offering guidance to enhance the impact of your information.

taso.org.uk

ICYMI, in our latest blog post, @omaromalleykhan explores what 6 years at TASO have taught us about improving equality in HE and explains why we're evolving how we work. Find out what's next, including a new focus on bursaries & a fresh approach to evaluation & evidence: taso.org.uk/news-blog/si...

Six years on: What we’ve learned and where we’re going - TASO

Omar Khan reflects on what TASO has learned over the past six years and explains how those lessons are shaping our priorities and approach.

taso.org.uk

Just 2 days left to help us shape our research priorities! We are in the 2nd stage of developing our areas of research interest, which will guide future commissioning rounds. Complete the survey & rate the proposed priorities before time runs out: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

xGraphic with a blue-to-teal gradient overlay on a blurred background photo of people in a meeting, including hands holding papers or a tablet. The TASO logo appears in the top left. Large white text reads, “Areas of research interest: We want your views.” Smaller text below reads, “Help shape our research priorities.” In the lower right, a rounded rectangular button outlined in teal reads, “Complete the survey,” followed by a right-pointing arrow. A green speaker icon appears in the top right corner.

Developing a theory of change doesn't have to be complicated. Our free, online Theory of Change Builder has an intuitive interface that simplifies the process and helps you easily transform a Core Theory of Change into an Enhanced Theory of Change. Access: toc-builder.taso.org.uk

Graphic for the Theory of Change Builder resource. A blue-to-teal gradient overlay sits over a photo of six students walking together and smiling outside a campus building. The TASO logo appears in the top left, with the word "RESOURCE" above the large title, "Theory of Change Builder." Two opposing arrows are shown in the top right.

We @taso.org.uk are seeking input from the sector to inform our research themes – or areas of research interest (ARIs) – that will guide future commissioning rounds. Please share the survey widely with anyone interested in addressing inequalities in higher education taso.org.uk/news-blog/ta...

TASO’s areas of research interest: we want your views - TASO

We are seeking input from the sector to inform our research themes that will guide future commissioning rounds

taso.org.uk

ICYMI: new @theifs.bsky.social research shows graduates earn around £180k more over their lifetimes on average. But the benefits are not equal. Access to university must be matched by stronger support into employment. Find out more: taso.org.uk/news-blog/av...

Average graduates earn £180k more, but benefits are still not equal - TASO

New research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) shows that the vast majority of university graduates can expect to be better off financially

taso.org.uk

ICYMI, our recent blog post explores what the evidence tells us about higher ed, graduate outcomes & social mobility. While public confidence in the value of a degree has weakened, the evidence suggests higher education remains an important route to opportunity. Read: taso.org.uk/news-blog/hi...

Higher education can still drive social mobility - TASO

New survey findings suggest people are increasingly focusing on graduate outcomes rather than the broader value of higher education as a driver of social mobility

taso.org.uk

Our new guidance introduces process tracing as a theory-based evaluation approach for testing causal mechanisms within a case. It covers key steps, evidence needs, and includes a case study and briefing. Explore the guidance: taso.org.uk/libraryitem/...

Graphic with a blue-to-teal gradient background and faint abstract curved lines. The TASO logo appears in the top left. Large text in the centre-left reads “GUIDANCE” and “Process tracking”. A teal icon of a cog surrounded by circular arrows appears in the top right.

Administrative data can support research & evaluation of interventions designed to reduce equality gaps in higher ed. Our ‘Administrative data guide’ covers key HE data sources, including NPD, HESA, LEO, UCAS & HEAT, alongside TASO-funded case studies. taso-he.github.io/technicalgui...

Graphic with a blue-to-teal gradient background and subtle abstract data-style lines and dots. The TASO logo appears in the top left. Large text reads “RESOURCE” followed by the title “Administrative data guide”. In the top right, a line icon shows a magnifying glass containing a bar chart.

In our latest blog post, our Evaluation Officer Aniela Bankowicz explores new survey findings suggesting debate is increasingly focused on graduate outcomes, rather than the broader value of higher education as a driver of social mobility. Read: taso.org.uk/news-blog/hi...

Higher education can still drive social mobility - TASO

New survey findings suggest people are increasingly focusing on graduate outcomes rather than the broader value of higher education as a driver of social mobility

taso.org.uk

Our new guidance page on realist evaluation explores how to understand what works, for whom, in what circumstances, and why. It introduces key concepts: context-mechanism-outcome configurations, theory building, mechanisms, & the role of context in shaping outcomes. taso.org.uk/libraryitem/...

Graphic with a blue-to-teal gradient background and faint abstract line patterns. The TASO logo appears in the top left. Large text reads “GUIDANCE” and “Realist evaluation”. On the right is a turquoise icon showing a cog surrounded by three circular arrows.