Sustaining and developing extended working lives -understandings and perceptions from one UK higher education workplace
Domini Bingham
UCL Institute of Education, London Centre for Leadership in Learning
Domini is Lecturer, Educational Leadership at the UCL Institute of Education. Her research interests focus on intercultural education and citizenship education in schools, leading for wellbeing for adults in educational settings and lifelong learning for older workforces and leadership implications. Recent externally-funded research has included Research Learning Communities (Education Endowment Foundation) and ‘A New Direction’ (AND) (2013), an investigation into the art and cultural engagement activities in London schools. Domini currently serves as a foundation governor of a primary school in Richmond upon Thames, Surrey, where she is also chair of the achievement committee. Prior to working at UCL IOE she was at the Commonwealth Secretariat. Her book, ‘Older Workforces: Re-imagining Later Learning’, will be published by Routledge in 2018. Twitter@ DominiBingham
Abstract
The phenomena of extended working lives through rising life expectancy, the lifting of the default retirement age in many countries, the skills gap and increasing numbers of older workers is forcing education organisations to... [ view full abstract ]
The phenomena of extended working lives through rising life expectancy, the lifting of the default retirement age in many countries, the skills gap and increasing numbers of older workers is forcing education organisations to consider the implications on the role and place of older workers, their engagement and professional learning needs.
Based on an EdD thesis, an interpretative case study methodology, using a mixed methods approach of a survey and semi-structured interviews with staff and management, explores perceptions of older workers regarding professional development and learning in professional roles in one UK higher education institution. This critical study builds on a conceptual framework that views older workers as agentic. It concerns four inter-related issues of flourishing, empowerment, potential alienation and inequality of older workers. Workplace learning is seen from a broad, holistic life course perspective to include career progression. Forms of professional development offering a 'best fit' to continue an effective working life of benefit to both older staff and management are explored.
The study generates new perspectives about what is valued by older professional staff and management in regard to learning and professional development and the implications of what is valued. It recommends strategic responses of interest to wider workplace settings and across countries into what can support older workforce retention. The research findings will be applicable to academic research, policy-makers and practitioners.
Authors
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Domini Bingham
(UCL Institute of Education, London Centre for Leadership in Learning)
Topic Area
Completed Research
Session
S4D » Theatre Presentation (11:50 - Saturday, 7th July, Lancaster 6)
