Learning and Life Chances in Knowledge Economies and Societies (LLAKES)

This Research Centre investigates the role of lifelong learning in promoting economic competitiveness and social cohesion, and in mediating the interactions between the two domains. Key areas of research include:

  1. the social and cultural foundations of learning, knowledge production and transfer, and innovation, within the context of a changing economy

  2. the effects of knowledge and skill distribution on income equality, social cohesion and competitiveness.

It has a programme of inter-disciplinary and mixed method research which addresses these issues at the level of the individual life course, through studies of city-regions and sectors in the UK, and through comparative analysis across OECD countries.

Strand 1, on 'Models of LLL and the Knowledge Society', is led by Andy Green and investigates the impact of lifelong learning systems on economic competitiveness and social cohesion at the national level.

Strand 2, on 'Regenerating City-Regions: Learning Environments, Knowledge Transfer and Innovative Pedagogy' is led by Lorna Unwin and focuses on communities and sectors.

Strand 3, on 'Life Chances and Learning throughout the Life Course' is led by Karen Evans and uses longitudinal data to analyse how people manage risk and change at critical points in their learning careers.

Further information

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