Welcome to SKOPE
The Centre for Skills, Knowledge, and Organisational Performance (SKOPE) focuses on policy and practice at the intersection of education, skills, and employment.
Its central aim is to examine the links between the acquisition and use of skills and knowledge, production and product strategies, and economic performance – be it of individuals, organisations or countries.
Our research

E&T for the climate
This research theme explores how skills formation systems need to adapt due to the impact of climate change

Social & epistemic justice
This research theme examines justice and equality across global E&T systems

Political skills economy
This research theme unpacks the relationship between skills formation and broader international political economies

Tertiary E&T landscapes
This research theme explores the intersection of policy and practice in tertiary systems and the blurred boundaries between TVET and HE
Podcasts
SkOP ¦ Season 2 – Episode 6 ¦ A Reflection on Season 2
Produced by Ashmita Randhawa (@Rand_Ash) and James Robson (@elpug). Edited by Laura Dong. Music composed and performed by ...
SkOP ¦ Season 2 – Episode 5 ¦ The Future of Technical Education
Produced by Ashmita Randhawa (@Rand_Ash) and James Robson (@elpug). Edited by Laura Dong. Music composed and performed by ...
SkOP ¦ Season 2 – Episode 4 ¦ The Future of Work
Produced by Ashmita Randhawa (@Rand_Ash) and James Robson (@elpug). Edited by Laura Dong. Music composed and performed by ...
Grant funding (ESRC and others)
SKOPE Research Papers
SKOPE Associates
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Projects with policy impact
Our team
Publications and News
Skills alignment and matching paper Plymouth
This paper represents the latest in a line of papers and think pieces that the author has prepared on this topic – for the UK ...
Pandemic and Higher Education policy: the UK as a policy laboratory
Dr James Robson explores the impact of the pandemic on Higher Education across the UK, in “Pandemic and Higher Education policy: ...
Comparing skills policy in England and Scotland
“Comparing skills policy in England and Scotland” a comment paper in WONKHE by Ewart Keep, Professor (Emeritus) of ...
Employability skills in mainstream education: Innovations in schooling and institutional isomorphism
In England, the Studio Schools model, focused on developing employability skills in young people, represents a disruptive attempt at ...