Developing a research culture in the further education sector: a case study of a work-based approach to staff development

In this paper, a research-based staff development programme at a college of Further Education is discussed for relevance to the government's continuous improvement agenda. It is argued that the programme provides tangible benefits to individual participating staff and to the College as a whole--participating staff receive accreditation at under- or postgraduate level, while the research projects they undertake on the programme contribute directly to the College's continuous development cycle. The programme is outlined, showing how flexibility and opportunities for customisation enable it to respond, not only to a wide range of staff interests, but to the College's strategic objectives as well. Specific benefits that the programme has achieved for the College are detailed and the programme's wider implications are discussed.