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Cathy Howieson


Senior Research Fellow

Email: c.howieson@ed.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)7909 928552

 

Biographical details

Cathy Howieson is Honorary Senior Research Fellow in the Centre for Educational Sociology where she has worked since 1986. She has researched widely in the areas of curriculum and qualification reform and education and training policy as well as carrying out research on young people’s transitions and the role of career education and guidance in the process. More recently, in her work as Honorary Senior Research Fellow, she has focused on widening participation to higher education. She maintains her interest in secondary education and how the design of curriculum and qualifications impacts on young people’s opportunities and outcomes. She values mixed methods approaches to research and employs both quantitative and qualitative methods in her work.

Cathy continues to edit CES Briefings and to supervise doctoral students.

 

Selected papers and publications

2019
Supporting widening participation students at university, CES Briefing No. 67, Edinburgh: Centre for Educational Sociology, University of Edinburgh (with Cathy Howieson and Sarah Minty)
2018
Access and Beyond: Supporting Widening Participation Students in Three Scottish Universities, Howieson, C. and Minty, S. (2018). SFC Impact for Access Initiative <report>
2017
Bridging divides - social science, educational policy and the improvement of education and training systems: An appreciation of the contribution of David Raffe (1950-2015). Howieson, C., Spours, K. and Young, M. Journal of Education and Work, Vol. 30 (7), p.689-699.
To know ourselves? Research, data and policy making in the Scottish education system, Howieson, C. and Croxford, L. Forthcoming in the Journal of Education and Work, Vol. 30 (7), p.700-711.
Widening Participation Transition Support at Three Scottish Universities, MacAskill, K and Howieson, C. (2017). Paper presented to the QAA 3rd International Enhancement in Higher Education Conference, Glasgow, 8 June 2017.
The experience of 50 years of comprehensive schooling in Scotland, Howieson, C., Croxford, L. and Murphy, D. (2017), Education, Citizenship and Social Justice, 12, 1, 8-23,
2016
Getting in and Getting on: students’ expereince of the transition from HN to degree 2015-16, Howieson, C. (2016). Edinburgh: ELRAH <report>
"School and Post-School Education 15-18", Murphy, D., Howieson, C. and Croxford, L.  (2016). Moray House School of Education Election Briefing 12.
The values of Scottish comprehensive schooling, Murphy, D., Croxford, L.and Howieson, C. (2016). 1 Nov 2016 In: Forum for Promoting 3-19 Comprehensive Education, vol. 58, pp. 167-176
2015
Next Steps: the progression and degree outcomes of widening participation students at the University of Edinburgh: the staff perspective, Howieson, C. (2015). Report to Student Recruitment and Admissions, CES, Edinburgh
Everyone's Future: Lessons from fifty years of Scottish comprehensive schooling, book, D Murphy, L Croxford, C Howieson (editors), IoE Press/Trentham Books, 1 June 2015 <book>
The value of comprehensive schooling, Murphy, D., Croxford, L., Howieson, C. and Raffe, D. (2015) chapter 2 in: Everyone's Future: Lessons from fifty years of Scottish comprehensive schooling, D Murphy, L Croxford, C Howieson (editors), IoE Press/Trentham Books, 1 June 2015    <book chapter>
Young people’s views of their experiencies of comprehensove schooling, Croxford, L. and Howieson, C. (2015), chapter 3 in: Everyone's Future: Lessons from fifty years of Scottish comprehensive schooling, book, D Murphy, L Croxford, C Howieson (editors), IoE Press/Trentham Books, 1 June 2015 <book chapter>
What have we learned from the Scottish experience?, Murphy, D., Croxford, L., Howieson, C. and Raffe, D. (2015), chapter 11 in: Everyone's Future: Lessons from fifty years of Scottish comprehensive schooling, book, D Murphy, L Croxford, C Howieson (editors), IoE Press/Trentham Books, 1 June 2015 <book chapter>
2014
School students’ part time employment: an early introduction to the world of work, Education & Training (with J McKechnie, S Hobbs and S Semple) (CES Ref 1217)
2013
Students’ Experience of the Transition from HN to Degree Study 2012-2013, ELRAH: Edinburgh (CES Ref 1312)

Career Education, in T.G.K.Bryce W.M.Humes, D.Gillies and A.Kennedy (eds) Scottish Education: Referendum, Fourth Edition, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press (CES Ref 1219)

The impact of career websites – what's the evidence?, British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 41(3), pp.287-301 (with S Semple) (CES Ref 1218)

Protecting child employees: why the system doesn't work, Youth and Policy, 110, pp.66-87 (with J McKechnie, S Hobbs, A Simpson and S Semple) (CES Ref 1215)

The Paradox of Scotland: Limited Credit Transfer in a Credit-based Lifelong Learning System, Oxford Review of Education, 39(3), pp.366-384 (with D.Raffe) (CES Ref 1208)

Hybrid qualifications in a credit-based system: Scottish Higher National Certificates and Diplomas, in T.Deissinger, J.Aff, A.Fuller and C.Jørgensen (eds) Hybrid Qualifications – structural and political issues in the context of European VET policy, Studies in Vocational and Continuing Education - Volume 10, Bern: Peter Lang (with D Raffe) (CES Ref 1133)
2012
Students’ Experience of the Transition from HN to Degree Study 2011-2012, ELRAH: Edinburgh (CES Ref 1210)

Working Pupils: Challenges and Potential, Journal of Education and Work, 25(4), pp.423–442 (with J McKechnie and S Semple) (CES Ref 1205)

Credit systems for lifelong learning: final country report on Scotland, final report to the German Federal Institute of Vocational Training, Edinburgh: Centre for Educational Sociology, Edinburgh (with D Raffe and A Kinsella) (CES Ref 1201)

New perspectives on school students' part-time work, Sociology, 46(2), pp.322–338 (with J McKechnie, S Hobbs and S Semple) (CES Ref 1007)
2011
External Evaluation of the Articulation Support Advisers. Edinburgh: ELRAH (with A Weir) (CES Ref 1135)

The regulation of child employment and options for reform, Research Brief DFE-RB, June 2011 (with J McKechnie, S Hobbs, A Simpson and S Semple) (CES Ref 1124)

The regulation of child employment and options for reform, Research Report DFE-RP 124, June 2011 (with J McKechnie, S Hobbs, A Simpson and S Semple) (CES Ref 1123)

Students’ Experience of the Transition from HN to Degree Study, ELRAH: Edinburgh (with L Croxford) (CES Ref 1116)

Recording and reporting student articulation from Scottish colleges to Scottish HEIs through UCAS. Edinburgh: ELRAH (with L Croxford, D Steele) (CES Ref 1024)
2010
Credit systems for lifelong learning: CS3L background report on Scotland, report to the German Federal Institute of Vocational Training, Edinburgh: Centre for Educational Sociology, Edinburgh (with D Raffe and J Hart) (CES Ref 1023)

School students’ part-time work: Understanding what they do, Journal of Education and Work, 23(2), March 2010, pp.161-175 (with J McKechnie, S Hobbs, A Simpson, S Anderson and S Semple) (CES Ref 0942)

The National Evaluation of the Collaborative Enquiry Projects on Recognising Achievement; Report to the Scottish Government (with S Semple and A Jackson) (CES Ref 0945)
2009
Self-Help and Career Planning: a Report to Careers Scotland (with S Semple, S Hickman and J McKechnie) (CES Ref 0944)
2008
Reforming designs: education and training in Scotland and Higher Still, Thesis submitted in fulfillment of PhD, Edinburgh: Centre for Educational Sociology, University of Edinburgh
"Careers education", T.Bryce and W.Humes (eds) Scottish Education, Third Edition: Beyond Devolution, Edinburgh University Press, Chapter 51, pp.452-459 (with S Semple)
Meeting the Needs for Longitudinal Data on Youth Transitions in Scotland - An Options Appraisal, Edinburgh: Scottish Government (with L Croxford and N Howat)
Baccalaureates: Adding Value to the Programmes, Report to SQA, Glasgow: SQA (with J Hart)
The Effects of Low Attainment on Young People’s Outcomes at age 22-23. British Educational Research Journal, 34(2), April 2008, pp.269-290 (with C Iannelli)
2007
Child employment: Policy and practice in Scotland. Youth & Policy, 96, pp.51-63 (with J McKechnie, S Hobbs, S Anderson and S Semple)
School Pupils' Experience of Work, CES Briefing No. 42, Edinburgh: Centre for Educational Sociology, University of Edinburgh (with J McKechnie and S Semple)
The Impact of a Unified Curriculum and Qualifications System: The Higher Still Reform of Post-16 Education in Scotland, British Educational Research Journal, 33(4), pp 479-508 (with D Raffe and T Tinklin)
2006
The Nature and Implications of the Part-Time Employment of Secondary School Pupils, Research Findings No. 47/2006, Edinburgh: SEELLD (with J McKechnie and S Semple)
The Nature and Implications of the Part-Time Employment of Secondary School Pupils, Final report to the Scottish Executive Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department, Edinburgh: SEELLD. (with J McKechnie and S Semple)
Social-Class Inequalities in Education in England and Scotland, CES Briefing No. 40, Edinburgh: Centre for Educational Sociology, University of Edinburgh (with L Croxford, C Iannelli, M Shapira and D Raffe)
Education and Youth Transitions across Britain 1984-2002, CES Briefing No. 39, Edinburgh: Centre for Educational Sociology, University of Edinburgh (with L Croxford, C Iannelli, M Shapira and D Raffe)
Finally Included? The Evolution of Curricular Access for Students with Learning Difficulties, Scottish Educational Review, 38(1) (with A Closs)
Howieson. C., and Semple S (2006) Career Guidance in Scotland: retrospect and prospect, British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 34(1), pp.31- 53.
2005
Progression and Pass Rates in the New National Qualifications, Glasgow: SQA.
2004
Unitisation – Benefits and Issues, Research and Information Services Bulletin No 9, Glasgow: SQA (with J Hart).
Post-16 Curriculum and Qualifications Reform in England and Scotland: Lessons from Home International Comparisons, Journal of Education and Work, 17(4) (with A Hodgson, D Raffe, K Spours and T Tinklin).
The Use of New National Qualifications in S3 and S4 in 2002-03, Scottish Educational Review, 36(2), pp.177-190 (with D Raffe and T Tinklin)
Scottish School Leavers Special Study: The Effects of Low Attainment on Young People’s Outcomes, Report to the Scottish Executive, Edinburgh, Centre for Educational Sociology (with C Iannelli)
How Do Centres Estimate Pupil’s Attainment, Report to the Scottish Qualifications Authority, Edinburgh: Centre for Educational Sociology, University of Edinburgh (with J Hart).
2003
Destinations of Early Leavers, CES Special Briefing No. 29, August 2003, Edinburgh: Centre for Educational Sociology, University of Edinburgh
Student Retention in the University of Edinburgh, Final Report to the University of Edinburgh (with J Ozga and F Provan).
"Careers education", T.Bryce and W.Humes (eds) Scottish Education, Second Edition: Post Devolution, Edinburgh University Press, Chapter 51, pp.491-495 (with S Semple).
2002
Education Maintenance Allowances (EMAs): Evaluation of the East Ayrshire Pilot, Research Findings No. 6/2002, Edinburgh: SEELLD (with L Croxford, C Iannelli and J Ozga)
Education Maintenance Allowances (EMAs): Evaluation of the East Ayrshire Pilot, Report to the Scottish Executive Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department, Edinburgh: SEELLD (with L Croxford, C Iannelli and J Ozga)
Young People's Transitions: Careers Support from Family and Friends, CES Briefing No. 24, Edinburgh: Centre for Educational Sociology, University of Edinburgh (with S Semple and M Paris)
The Scottish Educational Crisis of 2000: An Analysis of the Policy Process of Unification, Journal of Education Policy, 17(2), pp.167-185 (with D Raffe and T Tinklin)
2001
Pupils' Experience of the Career Service, CES Briefing No. 23, Edinburgh: Centre for Educational Sociology, University of Edinburgh (with S Semple)
How Would You Know? Assessing the Effectiveness of Careers Guidance Services, CES Briefing No. 22, Edinburgh: Centre for Educational Sociology, University of Edinburgh (with S Semple).
Scottish School Leavers Survey: Destinations of Early Leavers, Scottish School Leavers Survey Special Report IV, Edinburgh: SEED (with J Fairgrieve, L Croxford, T Tinklin and M Pirrie).
2000
The Evaluation of Guidance: Listening to Pupils' Views, British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 28(3), pp.373-388 (with S Semple).
The Scottish School Leavers' Survey: Destinations of Early Leavers, Report to The Scottish Executive, Edinburgh: Centre for Educational Sociology, University of Edinburgh (with J Fairgrieve, L Croxford and T Tinklin).


Current and Recent Research

2014: Tell Them From Me (TTFM) - Scottish School Leavers
2010-2011: The regulation of child employment and options for reform (DfE)
2009-2010: Progression Scenarios for National Qualifications at levels 4 & 5. SQA
2008-2009: The national evaluation of the local collaborative projects on recognising achievement. Scottish Government
2009: Self Help and Career Planning. Careers Scotland
2008-2009: Sabbatical
2006-2007: Schools and Social Capital: Redesigning professionalism project. The Applied Educational Research Scheme (AERS) (Scottish Executive Education Department/Scottish Higher Education Funding Council)
2006-2007: Meeting the Needs for Longitudinal Data on Youth Transitions in Scotland - An Options Appraisal (Scottish Executive)
2006-2007: Skills for Work and the Development of Vocational and Pre-vocational Courses for School-age Pupils (SQA)
2005: Progression and Pass Rates in the New National Qualifications (SQA)
2004: How Do Centres Estimate Pupil’s Attainment? (SQA)
2002-2003: Student Retention in the University of Edinburgh (University of Edinburgh)
2001: Evaluation of Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), Phase 1 Pilot in Scotland (Scottish Executive)
2001: Evaluation of Fast Trac (Scottish Executive)
2001-2003: An Evaluation of the Impact of the Education Maintenance Allowance in Scotland – with Linda Croxford, Cathy Howieson, Cristina Iannelli and Frances Provan (SEELLD)
1998-2003: Scottish School Leavers Survey: Special Studies (Scottish Executive)
1997-2001: Longitudinal Study of Young People's Transitions (Scottish Executive)
1997-2000: The Effectiveness of Careers Services (Scottish Executive)