Current and recent work

Motivation in Recovery from Addiction (2003 - 2005)

We are extending our work on motivation into applications in particular areas of learning - initially in the field of recovery from substance misuse.

Recent work has included a study of how teachers motivate substance misusers on the road to recovery.

A major networking initiative on development of client motivation, in day services, for recovery from substance abuse is being put in place. This will involve collaboration between leading agencies over a two-year period. For details, please contact us at various@bamfordtaggs.co.uk.

Motivation for Lifelong Learning (1999 - 2001)

This project was designed to:

• stimulate and inform a broad-based debate about motivation for learning, through consultation, practitioner workshops, an expert seminar and associated papers
  
  
• identify ways to bring together individual / family / community and organisational motivation for learning
  
  
• highlight the role of organisations and communities in encouraging and supporting individual and family motivation for learning
  
  
• identify an agenda for policy development and action

The initial stage explored motivation for learning related to work, for community related learning, and for personal developmental and family related learning. Support for this development project was provided by the Esmée Fairbairn Charitable Trust, the Campaign for Learning and the Talent Foundation.

Arising out of this project, Understanding Motivation for Lifelong Learning - written by Jim Smith and Andrea Spurling for a general readership, and illustrated with examples and case studies - was published in November 2001 by the Campaign for Learning, in association with NIACE.

Improving Surveys of Motivation for Lifelong Learning (2000)

General statistical information about adult learning motivation is very scarce. The little that is known has very largely to be implied from responses to general surveys of people's participation in learning. The University for Industry (Ufi) commissioned Bamford Taggs to design and provide the content for a 24-hour exploratory seminar in early December 2000, based on findings from our parallel project (see above). The seminar, chaired by Professor Frank Coffield, brought together experts in motivation and in the design and analysis of large national surveys. It addressed a number of key issues of definition, measurement and practical survey methods which have to be faced if a motivational profile for the adult population is to be obtained. The event focused on practical outcomes, based on a clear conceptual base.

For further information on this, contact Sheila Kearney at skearney@ufi.com

Resourcing Lifelong Learning in the UK (1997 - 98)

Jim Smith and Andrea Spurling's book, Lifelong Learning: Riding the Tiger, was published by Cassell in June 1999. Focusing on the resource implications of establishing a lifelong learning culture, it explores issues of time, space and funding in establishing a holistic model of lifelong learning in the UK 20 -25 years. The book was commissioned from Bamford Taggs and funded by The Lifelong Learning Foundation.

Individual Lifelong Learning Accounts (1996 - 98)

In 1997 Bamford Taggs produced proposals for a national framework of 'individual lifelong learning accounts', extending the range, potential and security of a system beyond emerging models for the Government's propose 'Individual Learning Accounts' (ILAs). The National Institute for Adult Continuing Education (www.niace.org.uk) published this work in 1997 as, Individual Lifelong Learning Accounts: Towards a Learning Revolution.

Quality Standards for Guidance for Learning and Work (1996)

In 1996 Bamford Taggs designed a holistic methodology for development of quality standards for careers and educational guidance, by the UK's Guidance Council. An influential feature of this work was the way it brought together specialists and non-specialists in guidance, working across traditional boundaries, to negotiate a framework of standards which would promote the development of a sound guidance industry for the UK.

The quality standards resulting from this work have been approved by the Department for Education and Employment for a national framework for information, advice and guidance.