Gemma Standen

I've been a member of UEA's Outreach team since 2016, where I've supported a range of interventions as a practitioner. Initially, I worked in pre-16 Outreach, running residential events for young people from target schools alongside delivering information and advice workshops and talks in schools across Norfolk. In 2019, I moved into a role in post-16 Outreach that supports mature students longitudinally across their academic lifecycle. I work collaboratively with further education colleges to provide those completing an Access to HE diploma insight and assistance through information, advice and guidance on pathways into HE. I also work within the community to support those looking for pathways into education to navigate options according to individual circumstances.

Having had lived experience as a mature student at undergraduate level, I felt compelled to learn more about advocacy and policy relating to lifelong learning within my role. This in turn has resulted in me completing a Master of Research in Social Science Research Methods to Distinction level, which has set me up beautifully for my PhD in Education. My research interests overlap a lot with my role, incorporating psychological, sociological and political factors that affect the progression and representation of mature and commuting students. However, I am generally very interested in research on continuation in HE and this is what my postgraduate research is concentrating on. I have also authored papers on mature student support, engaging commuter students and a journal article on the forthcoming Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE).

In September 2024, I joined UEA's School of Education and Lifelong Learning as an Associate Tutor, teaching on a first-year module focussing on learner identities.