TCELT research seminar - July 2023

This presentation will focus on our study about the transitions of neurodiverse students from Access to level 1 study. The aim of this study was to generate a deep understanding of their experiences.

Whilst the initial focus was on student support, through this research numerous challenges these students face have been raised in relation to their transition, such as, changing expectations, student support, finding their own way, and the complexity of discipline specific language.

The presentation is based on our latest publication.

Bhandari, R., & Rainford, J. (2023). Exploring the Transitions of Neurodivergent Access Students to Level One Study: Narratives of Study Skills and Support. International Journal of Educational and Life Transitions, 2(1): 5, pp. 1–19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/ ijelt.38

Dr Renu Bhandari (Ph.D., FHEA, CPsychol) is a staff tutor in the Centre for Access, Open and Cross-curricular Innovation, PVC Students. She has been an associate lecturer and consultant with the Open University (OU) for the last fifteen years. Her specialisations include counselling psychology, organisational behaviour, and developmental psychology. You can access a detailed biography of Dr Renu Bhandari and Dr Renu Bhandari's publications.

Dr Jon Rainford is a Staff Tutor in Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport at The Open University, UK. He is also a Visiting Research Fellow in Education at The University of Bath, UK and is a Senior Fellow of the HEA. His research focuses upon widening access to higher education, young people’s identities and student transitions. You can access a detailed biography of Dr Jon Rainford and Dr Rainford's publications.