iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Recognition matters. But it is not enough. This Black History Month, Sir Patrick Vernon reflects on whose knowledge counts, whose voices are heard, and how higher education can better value Black scholarship in universities and communities. Read the full piece: taso.org.uk/news-blog/be...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 05/10/2026

Join us online on 21 October (11:00–12:00) for an information session on the Higher Education Evaluation Library (HEEL). Find out how HEEL works, get practical guidance on submitting evaluations, and ask questions. Register: www.tickettailor.com/events/taso/...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 01/10/2026

A snapshot from our latest Research & Evaluation Committee meeting. The committee provides independent advice & oversight on our research & evaluation work, helping us challenge our thinking, strengthen our methods & maintain high standards. Learn about the committee: taso.org.uk/about/govern...

Screenshot of a Research and Evaluation Committee video call, showing 12 participants in a grid, smiling at the camera.

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 29/09/2026

In case you missed it, we’ve secured Cabinet Office funding to evaluate the University of Exeter’s GCSE exam centre for young people outside mainstream education. The study will assess its impact, barriers to participation and potential to scale nationally. More: taso.org.uk/news-blog/ta...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 28/09/2026

Join our free Higher Education Evaluation Library (HEEL) information session on 21 Oct, 11:00–12:00. Learn more about the HEEL, get tips on saving and uploading submissions, and ask questions. Register: www.tickettailor.com/events/taso/... Submit questions in advance: forms.gle/ufv4FEggGKy2...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 22/09/2026

We have been awarded funding from the Evaluation Accelerator Fund to evaluate the University of Exeter’s GCSE exam centre for young people outside mainstream education – exploring its impact, accessibility & potential to scale to help reduce NEET rates. Find out more: taso.org.uk/news-blog/ta...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 21/09/2026

In case you missed it, everyone can now submit evaluations to the Higher Education Evaluation Library (HEEL). The HEEL launches in Nov as a free, searchable library of evaluations of English higher ed equality interventions. Learn more & find out how to submit: taso.org.uk/news-blog/he...

Wide promotional graphic in a blue and turquoise colour scheme. In the top-left corner are the white TASO and HEAT logos. The left half of the image is covered by a dark blue overlay and contains large white text reading, “HEEL submission form now open,” with smaller turquoise text underneath reading, “to all providers, including non-HEAT members.” The right half shows a young Black man wearing glasses and a black-and-white vertically striped shirt, seated at a table in a library and looking down at an open laptop. Bookshelves filled with books are visible in the softly blurred background. A semi-transparent blue overlay extends across the photograph, blending it into the graphic design. In the bottom-right corner is a turquoise icon depicting four books standing on a shelf.

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 17/09/2026

How do you know if a programme is being delivered as intended & why? Join our practical implementation & process evaluation training in London on 1 Oct. Develop your own evaluation plan & learn how to turn findings into better delivery. £349 + VAT Register: www.tickettailor.com/events/taso/...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 16/09/2026

You can now submit evaluations to the Higher Education Evaluation Library (HEEL) whether or not you’re a HEAT member. The HEEL launches in Nov as a free, searchable library of evaluations of English higher ed equality interventions. Find out more & learn how to submit: taso.org.uk/libraryitem/...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 15/09/2026

Meet 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:

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 14/09/2026

English 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: taso.org.uk/news-blog/op... Find out more at our webinar on 17 Sep: www.tickettailor.com/events/taso/...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 11/09/2026

How 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: app.tickettailor.com/events/taso/...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 08/09/2026

Take 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. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 07/09/2026

In 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): taso.org.uk/news-blog/op...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 03/09/2026

We’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: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 02/09/2026

English 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: taso.org.uk/news-blog/op...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 01/09/2026

Want 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: app.tickettailor.com/events/taso/...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 28/08/2026

Elijah 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. taso.org.uk/news-blog/mo...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 27/08/2026

In 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: taso.org.uk/news-blog/up...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 26/08/2026

Small 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: taso.org.uk/libraryitem/...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 25/08/2026

Join 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: www.tickettailor.com/events/taso/...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 24/08/2026

ICYMI: 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. taso.org.uk/libraryitem/...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 18/08/2026

Join 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: app.tickettailor.com/events/taso/...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 17/08/2026

Coming 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: taso.org.uk/news-blog/up...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 13/08/2026

On 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]

Line graph from 2017 to 2026, titled 'The higher education entry rate gap between the most and least deprived areas has remained stubbornly persistent in the past decade. The chart shows a line for IMD quintile 1 (most deprived) with entry rates around the 20% mark, and a line for IMD quintile 5 (least deprived) with entry rates around the 40% mark. The gap has remained at around 20 percentage points from 2017 to 2026).

Line chart titled 'The higher education entry rate gap between London and all other English regions has increased since 2017. It is largest for the North East and smallest for the South East. The chart shows two lines for the South East and North East, both in reference to the percentage point difference when compared with London.

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 12/08/2026

New 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. taso.org.uk/libraryitem/...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 05/08/2026

Join 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: app.tickettailor.com/events/taso/...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 03/08/2026

Our 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: taso.org.uk/libraryitem/...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 28/07/2026

Our report explores the implementation of transition support & reasonable adjustments for disabled students, revealing key challenges & successes. For instance, only 12% of registered students accessed transition support & gaps in physical accessibility are significant. taso.org.uk/news-item/ne...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 27/07/2026

Looking to strengthen your university's data practices? Access TASO's data infrastructure guide on GitHub and take a step toward evidence-based decision-making: taso-he.github.io/technicalgui...

Blue-to-teal gradient cover featuring a group of smiling students walking outdoors. Text reads “TASO,” “RESOURCE,” and “Data insights guide (DIG),” with a magnifying-glass data-chart icon in the top-right corner.

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 17/07/2026

Our report provides the most detailed data to date on how care-experienced young people progress into and through higher education in England. Access: taso.org.uk/libraryitem/...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 16/07/2026

Data is a tool, not a cure. Our research found that learning analytics and digital 'nudges' are no match for human connection when supporting student wellbeing. taso.org.uk/news-blog/da...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 14/07/2026

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 13/07/2026

Just 2 days left to help us shape our research priorities! We are in the 2nd stage of developing our areas of research interest, which will guide future commissioning rounds. Complete the survey & rate the proposed priorities before time runs out: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 09/07/2026

Using administrative data to research and evaluate interventions aimed at reducing equality gaps in higher education? Check out our Administrative data guide on GitHub: taso-he.github.io/technicalgui...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 07/07/2026

Developing a theory of change doesn't have to be complicated. Our free, online Theory of Change Builder has an intuitive interface that simplifies the process and helps you easily transform a Core Theory of Change into an Enhanced Theory of Change. Access: toc-builder.taso.org.uk

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 03/07/2026

How can universities make inclusion everyone’s business? Our report explores how whole-provider approaches can help embed inclusion, reduce equality gaps, and support student success. Read the report: taso.org.uk/libraryitem/...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 01/07/2026

Help shape our research priorities! Complete the survey and rate the proposed priorities to help highlight the sector’s most pressing needs. The survey closes at 12:00 on Wednesday 15 July. Participate: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 30/06/2026

Our new guidance introduces process tracing as a theory-based evaluation approach for testing causal mechanisms within a case. It covers key steps, evidence needs, and includes a case study and briefing. Explore the guidance: taso.org.uk/libraryitem/...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 25/06/2026

Administrative data can support research & evaluation of interventions designed to reduce equality gaps in higher ed. Our ‘Administrative data guide’ covers key HE data sources, including NPD, HESA, LEO, UCAS & HEAT, alongside TASO-funded case studies. taso-he.github.io/technicalgui...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 22/06/2026

Join us this Wednesday (11:00–12:00) for a webinar providing information on how to work with us on a project evaluating contextualised admissions policies. buytickets.at/taso/2257690

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 19/06/2026

Our new guidance page on realist evaluation explores how to understand what works, for whom, in what circumstances, and why. It introduces key concepts: context-mechanism-outcome configurations, theory building, mechanisms, & the role of context in shaping outcomes. taso.org.uk/libraryitem/...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 17/06/2026

Does your institution use contextualised admissions? We’re looking for up to 6 higher ed providers to work with us and UKRI Policy Fellow Professor Anna Zimdars on a new project to understand contextualised admissions policies in practice. Find out more & apply: taso.org.uk/news-blog/op...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 16/06/2026

Our new guidance explains comparative case studies – a theory-based evaluation approach for comparing cases to identify patterns, similarities & differences. It covers causal inference, case selection, & how to collect, analyse & synthesise evidence. Read the guidance: taso.org.uk/libraryitem/...

A blue-to-teal gradient graphic with a white TASO in the upper-left corner. The word “GUIDANCE” appears in turquoise uppercase text above the large white title “Comparative case study.” The background includes curved lines, dots, and translucent geometric shapes. In the lower-right corner, two turquoise folder icons face each other with a double-headed arrow between them.

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 15/06/2026

Work with us: We’re appointing up to six higher education providers to work with us to develop theories of change, & identify outcome measures & data needs for contextualised admissions policies. Learn more & apply: taso.org.uk/news-blog/op...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 11/06/2026

Our new guidance page provides information on agent-based modelling (ABM) – a method for exploring how individual actions and interactions can lead to wider system-level outcomes. Read the guidance and access further resources here: taso.org.uk/libraryitem/...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 09/06/2026

Want to help evaluate contextualised admissions policies? Applications to collaborate on our new project with UKRI Policy Fellow Professor Anna Mountford-Zimbars open on Monday 15 June. Join our webinar on 24 June (11:00–12:00) to hear more and ask questions: www.tickettailor.com/events/taso/...

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 05/06/2026

On 26 May, our Evaluation Advisory Group (EAG) met & welcomed some new faces! The group discussed our strategic direction, how evidence can better support providers across the sector, & priorities for future evidence synthesis & research. Find out more about the EAG: taso.org.uk/about/govern...

Screenshot of online meeting with EAG members.

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 03/06/2026

➡ We want your views! Survey closes at 17:00 today. We are seeking input from the sector to inform our areas of research interest to guide future commissioning rounds. We want to hear from you if you're working to improve equality of opportunity in higher education. forms.gle/LE32YCBxWsUX...

Areas of research interest: we want your views. We are seeking input from the sector to help inform our research themes. https://forms.gle/QZf8KGRfXeHteRvD9

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TASO @taso.org.uk · 12/05/2026

That's a wrap for #TASOCon26! A huge thank you to everyone for making it such a great day, full of provocation, conversation, shared learning and practical tips. Sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with our latest news and events. taso.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...

TASO annual conference: Collaborate to evaluate, 12 May 2026

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