Latest thinking

British lovers of tea – A habit that has last for centuries

Blog

18 Aug 2011

By the end of today, 66,000,000 cups of tea will have been consumed in the UK. But have you ever thought about why we developed the habit of drinking tea? Over the course of several hundred years, tea became Britain’s national drink, and in fact is so integral to our routine that it is difficult to imagine British people without drinking tea.

I Love Hackney: why don't the rioters?

Blog

16 Aug 2011

The well viewed video of a woman lecturing rioters in Hackney last Monday reveals an identification with place that is clearly not shared with the young people she is addressing. We need to pay more attention to the ways in which the spaces inhabited by young people differ if we hope to engage young people positively in the shaping of our neighbourhoods.

Skills, Jobs, Riots - Informal Learning on Monday Night

Blog

12 Aug 2011

It could be argued that for some the conventional skills and employment system no longer works. This is a particularly relevant topic given the recent civil unrest that Britain has seen. Such an observation does not excuse the widespread violence and looting that the past week has seen but it does provide some context to the situation and an indication as to why there are so many who feel the best way to enrich themselves and get something out of their community is by going on a rampage.

'Not Enough Capital' amongst FE students

Blog

09 Aug 2011

Now is a good time to think about learning, life skills and progression amongst our young people. But some young people find it harder to progress in education and careers than others, according to a new RSA report released today.

Design's imperfect proxy

Blog

02 Aug 2011

Congratulations to the Design & Technology Association, Seymour Powell and the James Dyson Foundation for the excellent event they put together on July 12th to debate the question “Is Creative Britain in Reverse?” Compliments also on the ‘manifesto video’ they launched that night which has gone viral in the intervening time.

You Are What You Wear

Blog

27 Jul 2011

Benedict Dellot

There was an interesting story in the Guardian yesterday about a new uniform system being used at a school in Greenwich. According to the article, after re-opening in May this year the secondary school in south London has decided to divide it’s teaching into three “mini-schools” within the larger establishment, each containing 450 pupils. Upon entering the school at 11 years old the children are separated according to their ability and placed in the relevant sub-school.

Connected Communities Needs YOU!

Blog

11 Jul 2011

Gaia Marcus

[pullquote]We are looking for a quite extraordinary candidate for our three year fully funded PhD scholarship on a project spanning the RSA and Manchester[/pullquote].

Don't blame the girls - society's aspirations are also a problem

Blog

04 Jul 2011

The recent Ofsted report on Girl’s career aspirations makes the assumption that because girls do better than boys at school, but are less successful in the workplace, there must be something wrong with girls’ choices of educational path and career.

The Albert Medal 2011

Blog

13 May 2011

Benedict Dellot

Nominations for this year’s Albert Medal are now open.