Transforming Access & Student Outcomes in Higher Education (TASO). We identify and disseminate effective practice in widening access and participation.https://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.ukhttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3mvkdele7bc2jMeet our brilliant 2026 summer interns, Elijah Denning, Elliot Auxant and Tayyibah Hussain. Find out what they're currently working on and what their plans are for the future:15 Sep 2026 09:39 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvkdele7bc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3mvk3btblvr2bHelp shape our next training on causal evaluation methods so it's most useful to you. Take the 2-minute survey and share your thoughts: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdsRSEHkOYA92EtOiTDPvWil-yU7SqKeB6XmYF3ajcgyYrDaQ/viewform?usp=preview15 Sep 2026 07:15 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvk3btblvr2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3mvi4pc4g6k2dEnglish higher ed providers: applications are open to join our evaluation of undergraduate financial support schemes. Up to 3 providers can receive £10,000 to take part. Apply by 12 Oct: https://taso.org.uk/news-blog/open-call-for-higher-education-providers-retrospective-evaluations-of-financial-support-taso-41/ Find out more at our webinar on 17 Sep: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/taso/239201114 Sep 2026 12:35 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvi4pc4g6k2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3mvaifmx4cc26How do you know if a programme is being delivered as intended, and what’s helping or getting in the way? Join us in London on 1 Oct (10am) for practical training on implementation & process evaluation and leave with a draft evaluation plan. £349 + VAT: https://app.tickettailor.com/events/taso/234435811 Sep 2026 11:43 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvaifmx4cc26https://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3mv5js345q62bNew blog post: Katherine Drew, Evaluation Officer at TASO, describes how student ambassadors can become effective role models by breaking down power dynamics and creating more informal, accessible relationships with pupils: https://taso.org.uk/news-blog/the-power-of-student-ambassadors/10 Sep 2026 07:30 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv5js345q62bhttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3mv3ajdyzpk2gIn case you missed it, in our latest blog post, our summer intern Elijah Denning discusses his views on how a foundation year can help build confidence, academic readiness and belonging, particularly for those who might not have a clear path into higher education: https://taso.org.uk/news-blog/more-than-just-an-extra-year-why-foundation-years-transform-academic-futures/09 Sep 2026 09:38 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv3ajdyzpk2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3muyqomkanc26Take our 2-min survey to help shape future training on causal evaluation methods! Tell us what would be most useful, from RCTs and practical trial challenges to methods like DiD, regression discontinuity and matching. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdsRSEHkOYA92EtOiTDPvWil-yU7SqKeB6XmYF3ajcgyYrDaQ/viewform08 Sep 2026 09:50 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3muyqomkanc26https://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3muwamlslls2aIn case you missed it, we’re appointing up to 3 English HE providers to evaluate their undergraduate financial support schemes. Up to £10k funding available. Apply by 12 Oct (13:00): https://taso.org.uk/news-blog/open-call-for-higher-education-providers-retrospective-evaluations-of-financial-support-taso-41/07 Sep 2026 09:57 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3muwamlslls2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3muooju4pm62oICYMI, in our recent blog post, members of the Student Advisory Team on our mental health and wellbeing interventions project speak to Research Manager Tatjana Damjanovic about how evidence and student voice can shape more effective interventions in higher education: https://taso.org.uk/news-blog/evaluating-impact-how-evidence-is-reshaping-student-wellbeing-interventions/ https://lnkd.in/ei6yYDqb04 Sep 2026 09:45 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3muooju4pm62ohttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3mumhcyqxyk2tWe’re planning future training on causal evaluation methods, and we’d like your input to help shape what we offer! Take our 2-min survey and share your thoughts: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdsRSEHkOYA92EtOiTDPvWil-yU7SqKeB6XmYF3ajcgyYrDaQ/viewform?usp=preview03 Sep 2026 12:30 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mumhcyqxyk2thttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3muk654577c2nEnglish HE providers: Apply to work with us to assess the causal impact of financial support on student outcomes using existing institutional data & quasi-experimental methods. Providers will receive up to £10k each. App deadline: 12 Oct (13:00) Learn more & apply: https://taso.org.uk/news-blog/open-call-for-higher-education-providers-retrospective-evaluations-of-financial-support-taso-41/02 Sep 2026 14:41 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3muk654577c2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3muh556s4vs2nWant to understand what’s working in your programme, what isn’t, and why? Join our practical implementation and process evaluation training in London on 1 Oct (10:00–16:00) and leave with a draft evaluation plan. £349 + VAT Register: https://app.tickettailor.com/events/taso/234435801 Sep 2026 09:45 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3muh556s4vs2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3mu5bj4n72c2xElijah Denning, TASO Intern, and Education Student @queens.cam.ac.uk discusses the importance of foundation years and their role building confidence, academic readiness, and a sense of belonging, particularly for those who may not have a clear path into higher education. https://taso.org.uk/news-blog/more-than-just-an-extra-year-why-foundation-years-transform-academic-futures/28 Aug 2026 11:36 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu5bj4n72c2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3mu2wstup7x2lIn case you missed it, we’ll soon be inviting HE providers to apply to evaluate existing financial support schemes with us. Selected providers will receive up to £10,000 to support delivery. Applications open in early Sep Deadline for application: 12 Oct Learn more: https://taso.org.uk/news-blog/upcoming-invitations-to-tender-retrospective-evaluations-of-financial-support/27 Aug 2026 13:20 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu2wstup7x2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3mtxxv2yigh2eSmall providers face distinct challenges when it comes to evaluation. Our guidance brings together tools to help tackle challenges, including small cohort sizes, limited resources, outcome measurement, evaluation design and data management. Explore the guidance: https://taso.org.uk/libraryitem/resources-for-small-providers/26 Aug 2026 09:01 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtxxv2yigh2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3mtvn7ymqeu2aJoin us in London on 1 October (10:00–16:00) for practical, in-person training on how to plan and deliver a robust implementation and process evaluation, and leave with a draft evaluation plan for your own activity. Price: £349 + VAT Book your spot: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/taso/234435825 Aug 2026 10:45 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtvn7ymqeu2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3mtsqzgud7j2eICYMI: our latest report with the Policy Institute at King’s College London finds significant inequalities in student mental health. 26% of students from low-participation areas reported a mental health difficulty, compared with 19% from high-participation areas. https://taso.org.uk/libraryitem/report-student-mental-health-in-2025/24 Aug 2026 07:15 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtsqzgud7j2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3mtlenp2hue2eIn our latest blog post, members of the Student Advisory Team on our mental health & wellbeing interventions project reflect on 3 approaches to supporting student wellbeing & what the preliminary evaluation findings could mean for future practice. Read the post: https://taso.org.uk/news-blog/student-perspectives-on-university-wellbeing-reflections-on-emerging-interventions/21 Aug 2026 08:45 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtlenp2hue2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3mtix4wag422aIn our latest blog post, Ruichen Yin & Audrey Fok, members of the Student Advisory Team on our mental health & wellbeing interventions project, speak to our Research Manager Tatjana Damjanovic about how evidence & student voice can shape effective support: https://taso.org.uk/news-blog/evaluating-impact-how-evidence-is-reshaping-student-wellbeing-interventions/20 Aug 2026 09:37 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtix4wag422ahttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3mtgjksvek22eIn case you missed it, our CEO @omaromalleykhan.bsky.social reflects on this year’s A-level results and the persistent inequalities in higher education participation – and why better evidence is needed to break the cycle. Read: https://taso.org.uk/news-blog/a-level-results-day-breaking-the-cycle/19 Aug 2026 10:29 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtgjksvek22ehttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3mte3hkatic2zJoin us in London on 1 October (10:00–16:00) for practical, in-person training on implementation & process evaluation (IPE). Learn how to use a theory of change, plan data collection & reporting, & apply findings to strengthen delivery. £349 + VAT Register: https://app.tickettailor.com/events/taso/234435818 Aug 2026 11:11 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mte3hkatic2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3mtbf7eycak2xComing this September: We will invite applications for the retrospective evaluation of higher education financial support schemes. Up to 3 providers will receive £10,000 to take part. Find out more: https://taso.org.uk/news-blog/upcoming-invitations-to-tender-retrospective-evaluations-of-financial-support/17 Aug 2026 09:28 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtbf7eycak2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3mt263cywxs22New blog post: Our CEO, @omaromalleykhan.bsky.social, reflects on this year’s A-level results day, noting the stubbornly persistent gaps in participation rates, whether measured by disadvantage or by region. Read: https://taso.org.uk/news-blog/a-level-results-day-breaking-the-cycle/14 Aug 2026 12:32 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3mt263cywxs22https://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3msxtixxebk25On A-level results day, we are thinking about every student, whether they’ve exceeded expectations or have been disappointed – and regardless of their next educational or employment steps in life. [1/3]13 Aug 2026 14:17 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3msxtixxebk25https://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3msv5yka2mc22New report based on 2025 SAES data: @policyatkings.bsky.social finds that students from areas with lower rates of higher education participation report, on average, worse mental health than those from areas with higher participation rates. https://taso.org.uk/libraryitem/report-student-mental-health-in-2025/12 Aug 2026 12:47 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3msv5yka2mc22https://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3msdaeytncc2aJoin our practical, in-person training in London on 1 October to learn how to plan and carry out a robust implementation and process evaluation, and leave with a draft plan. Price: £349 + VAT Register: https://app.tickettailor.com/events/taso/234435805 Aug 2026 09:42 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3msdaeytncc2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3msg3jimgvk2lOur research ethics guidance is designed to support those working in widening participation and student success navigate ethical considerations and deliver best practice in their research and/or evaluation work. Check it out: https://taso.org.uk/libraryitem/research-ethics-guidance/06 Aug 2026 12:53 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3msg3jimgvk2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3msdaeytncc2aJoin our practical, in-person training in London on 1 October to learn how to plan and carry out a robust implementation and process evaluation, and leave with a draft plan. Price: £349 + VAT Register: https://app.tickettailor.com/events/taso/234435805 Aug 2026 09:42 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3msdaeytncc2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3msas4br2bc2sAt our 2026 conference, Uni of Staffordshire presented their approach to decentralising the evaluation of their APP. In this piece, they explore how collaboration, governance, shared responsibility and student involvement shaped the approach – and what they learned. https://taso.org.uk/news-blog/decentralising-app-evaluation-lessons-in-collaboration-and-governance/04 Aug 2026 10:21 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3msas4br2bc2shttps://bsky.app/profile/taso.org.uk/post/3ms6kyonzdk2uOur Mapping Outcomes and Activities Tools (MOATs) – the pre-entry MOAT, attainment-raising MOAT and post-entry MOAT – enable consistent coding of outcomes and activities, ensuring robust planning and evaluation. Explore the resources: https://taso.org.uk/libraryitem/mapping-outcomes-and-activities-tool-moat-resources/03 Aug 2026 13:08 +0000at://did:plc:ructld3vsoxlananngje2akp/app.bsky.feed.post/3ms6kyonzdk2u