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Cathy Howieson


Senior Research Fellow

Email: c.howieson@ed.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)131 651 6241
Fax: +44 (0)131 651 6239

 

Biographical details

Cathy Howieson is a Senior Research Fellow in the Centre for Educational Sociology where she has worked since 1986. Her research interests include secondary and post-secondary education and training systems, young people’s transitions and issues of (in)equality. Within this she has a particular interest in curriculum and qualification reform, the relationship between academic and vocational learning and the role of career education and guidance in young people’s transition process. She has worked extensively in these areas and has expertise in both quantitative and qualitative approaches.

 

Current and Recent Research

2008-2009: PhD by Publication: Reforming designs: education and training in Scotland and Higher Still (University of Edinburgh)
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)

 

Selected papers and publications

2007
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)
Howieson, C. and Iannelli, C. (2007) The Effects of Low Attainment on Young People’s Outcomes at age 22-23. British Educational Research Journal

2006
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.

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).