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Introduction

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Widening Participation in Higher Education

Part of the book series: Issues in Higher Education ((IHIGHER))

Abstract

Widening participation (WP) in higher education (HE) is a key contemporary social issue. It has been a global concern in supporting the economic and social health of nations for several decades (Delors, 1996). Through its relationship with labour force participation and social inclusion, it is relevant to those engaged with social issues and policy, extending far beyond educational scholars and practitioners. Lifelong learning has been promoted as a recognised means of social inclusion (Jones, 2006: 487), and HE participation is acknowledged to be ‘a critical determinant of life chances’ (Naidoo and Callender, 2000: 235). The United Kingdom Conservative-Liberal Democrat Alliance Government’s 2011 Social Mobility Strategy emphasises the importance of HE participation, including elite higher education institutions (HEIs), for increasing social mobility and life chances amongst socially disadvantaged groups. The importance of WP policies is set to continue in an increasingly globalised labour market, as traditional manufacturing industries decline and economies develop. The ensuing demand for ever-increasing proportions of populations to develop the skills required for employment in more skilled, non-manual occupations in developing knowledge economies inevitably requires increased participation in post-compulsory education, including HE.

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Authors
  1. Tamsin Hinton-Smith
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Sussex, UK

    Tamsin Hinton-Smith

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© 2012 Tamsin Hinton-Smith

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Hinton-Smith, T. (2012). Introduction. In: Hinton-Smith, T. (eds) Widening Participation in Higher Education. Issues in Higher Education. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137283412_1

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