TASO

TASO graphic announcing recruitment for “Evaluation Advisory Group Members,” with the text “Join Us” above the title. The background shows a blue-green gradient over a crowd of graduates wearing caps, with a briefcase icon in the corner.

We’re recruiting Evaluation Advisory Group (EAG) members with diverse methodological and theoretical expertise to help shape our evaluation approach and strengthen the use of evidence across the sector.

Apply by 23 March (CV + one-page cover letter):
taso.org.uk/vacancy/eval...

Promotional graphic for TASO training titled “Introduction to theory of change,” shown on a blue–green gradient background. Text lists two sessions: 11 March, 10:00–13:00, online; and 19 March, 09:30–12:30, in person. A “Sign up” button with an arrow appears on the right.

Join us next Wed for 'Introduction to theory of change' – a practical two-part training for those new to evaluation.

The training features an online session on 11 March (10:00–13:00), followed by an in-person workshop in London on 19 March (09:30–12:30).

taso.org.uk/event/introd...

From ideas to impact: Using theory of change to shape Middlesex University’s transition support programme - TASO Dr Molly Rowlands, Research Manager at TASO, explores how theory of change was used to strengthen the design, delivery and evaluation of Middlesex University’s personalised transition support programm...

ICYMI: Dr Molly Rowlands explores how a theory of change strengthened Middlesex University’s personalised transition support programme, helping turn ideas into an evidence-ready intervention to improve student continuation and success.

taso.org.uk/news-blog/fr...

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Join our Deputy CEO, Dr Eliza Kozman, on 11 March for a session at the SRHE EDI Network event: From Paper to Practice

She’ll discuss recommendations from our recent whole-provider access and participation report, and reflections on building our research programme.

srhe.ac.uk/civicrm/?civ...

Data insights guide – Technical Guides using institutional data to support evaluation in higher education

Our data insights guide, available on GitHub, provides universities with a roadmap for enhancing data collection & use. The guide offers tools & best practices to help institutions make evidence-based decisions that can close equality gaps.

Access the guide here: taso-he.github.io/technicalgui...

Anna Mountford-Zimdars appointed to UKRI policy fellowship - TASO Professor Anna Mountford-Zimdars will join TASO for 18 months as a policy fellow, leading a new research initiative on contextualised admissions.

ICYMI: Professor Anna Mountford-Zimdars is joining TASO as a Policy Fellow for 18 months, leading new research on contextualised admissions.

Her expertise in social mobility and widening participation will help strengthen the evidence base in this area.

Read more:

Promotional graphic for TASO training titled “Introduction to theory of change,” shown on a blue–green gradient background. Text lists two sessions: 11 March, 10:00–13:00, online; and 19 March, 09:30–12:30, in person. A “Sign up” button with an arrow appears on the right.

This March, join 'Introduction to theory of change' – a practical two-part training for those new to evaluation.

Online: 11 March (10:00–13:00)
In person (London): 19 March (09:30–12:30)

Build your Core ToC with guided work, practical tools and feedback.

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

The agenda is live for TASO’s 2026 annual conference, ‘Collaborate to evaluate’ (12 May, London)

→ Chris Millward (OfS) on collaboration & equality of opportunity
→ HE 'postcode lottery' panel
→ HEEL launch insights
→ Sector short talks & posters

Explore the agenda: taso.org.uk/event/collab...

Project | Supporting disabled students: a blueprint for transition support - TASO Find out more about our blueprint for multi-intervention transition support. The blueprint provides a set of evidence-informed activities and programmes to enhance disabled students’ transition into…

Our comprehensive blueprint offers actionable insights to help institutions develop effective transition support strategies.

Discover how your institution can support disabled students more effectively: taso.org.uk/research/cur...

Promotional graphic for a TASO training titled “Enhancing and applying theory of change.” The image has a blue-to-teal gradient background with the TASO logo at the top left. Text highlights two dates: 22 April, 10:00–13:00 (online) and 30 April, 09:30–12:30 (in person). A “Sign up” button appears in the bottom right.

Join us on 22 & 30 April for 'Enhancing and applying theory of change' – a two-part training for those with evaluation or impact responsibilities.

Refine your CToC, strengthen mechanisms & measures, & turn it into a clear evaluation plan.

£259 + VAT

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

Starting off on the right foot: What we know about transition support programmes and why more research is needed - TASO The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) has conducted a literature review exploring the evidence on why students drop out and whether support during transition to university can...

ICYMI, read our most recent blog post exploring a literature review by The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) that examines why students drop out and whether targeted support during the transition to university can make a difference.

taso.org.uk/news-blog/st...

Promotional graphic for the TASO Annual Conference. A dark blue background shows a blurred audience seated at a conference. On the left, large text reads “TASO Annual Conference” with the phrase “Collaborate to evaluate” highlighted in pink. On the right, a pink-outlined box contains the text “Call for presentations.”

Present your work at our 2026 annual conference 'Collaborate to evaluate'.

We’re inviting proposals for short talks & poster presentations on equality of opportunity.

Share your evaluation & connect with peers

Find out more and submit your proposal: taso.org.uk/event/collab...

Promotional graphic for TASO training titled “Introduction to theory of change,” shown on a blue–green gradient background. Text lists two sessions: 11 March, 10:00–13:00, online; and 19 March, 09:30–12:30, in person. A “Sign up” button with an arrow appears on the right.

Join us this March for 'Introduction to theory of change' – a practical 2-part training for those new to evaluation.

📅 11 March (online) + 19 March (London)

Develop a clear, usable theory of change for your own project.

Spaces limited: taso.org.uk/event/introd...

Promotional graphic for TASO training titled “Introduction to theory of change,” shown on a blue–green gradient background. Text lists two sessions: 11 March, 10:00–13:00, online; and 19 March, 09:30–12:30, in person. A “Sign up” button with an arrow appears on the right.

Join us this March for ‘Introduction to theory of change’ – a practical two-part training for those new to evaluation.

11 March (online) + 19 March (in person, London).

Develop a Core Theory of Change for your own work.

Spaces are limited – sure your spot: taso.org.uk/event/introd...

Blue-to-teal gradient banner with TASO logo at top left and a classical building icon at top right. Text reads: “In-person event | Using ADR flagship datasets” and “Creating evidence of impact: approaches to widening participation and student success.” Background shows faint images of students sitting together with laptops.

Apply now for a free, in-person evaluation workshop on widening participation and student success (26 Feb, University of Westminster). Get expert support on evaluating education interventions using ADR data (inc LEO & GRADE).

Places are limited – register interest: taso.org.uk/event/creati...

In our latest blog post, Lucy Haire from UPP, argues that amid persistent access gaps & unhelpful rhetoric, HE remains a vital & positive pathway for disadvantaged students & must continue to be actively championed & supported: taso.org.uk/news-blog/fl...

Blue gradient banner with the TASO logo in the top left. Large white text reads “Race Equality Week.” In the top right, a rounded box states “2–8 January 2026.” The background shows a blurred crowd scene with raised hands, suggesting a public gathering or protest.

It’s Race Equality Week. This year’s theme is #ChangeNeedsAllofUs.

This blog post from @mybcu.bsky.social shares how Project Zero is reducing ethnicity degree-awarding gaps by centring Black African/Caribbean and South Asian heritage student voices: taso.org.uk/news-blog/ce...

Graphic for the TASO Annual Conference titled “Collaborate to evaluate”. The image shows a dark blue background with a blurred audience seated at a conference. Text reads “TASO Annual Conference” and “Collaborate to evaluate”, with the date “12 May 2026” displayed in the top right corner.

Early bird tickets are sold out for our 2026 annual conference ‘Collaborate to evaluate’, but standard tickets are still available.

Join us on 12 May 2026 in London to explore evaluation practice in higher education.

Find out more and book: taso.org.uk/event/collab...

Graphic for a TASO in-person event titled “Rethinking student wellbeing support.” The design features a blue and teal gradient background with a subtle image of people stacking their hands together. Text reads “In-PERSON EVENT” and “Rethinking student wellbeing support.” A badge in the top right says “12 March, London.” A rounded button in the bottom right says “AGENDA LIVE” with an arrow.

The agenda is now live for our event 'Rethinking student wellbeing support'.

Explore what’s helping (and hindering) student wellbeing, and how evidence can inform more effective support.

Agenda: taso.org.uk/event/rethin...

Sold out – join the waitlist: www.tickettailor.com/events/taso/...

Economic evaluation - TASO Economic evaluation is an approach that helps to assess cost-effectiveness – in this case, the cost effectiveness of interventions in higher education.

Our Framework for Economic Evaluation helps higher education providers assess the cost-effectiveness of their programs, providing a solid foundation for evidence-based decision-making.

Explore: taso.org.uk/libraryitem/...

Graphic with a blue–green gradient background. Text reads ‘Sign up to our newsletter at: taso.org.uk’. The TASO logo appears in the top left, and a simple laptop icon is shown in the bottom right.

Sign up to our newsletter and receive updates on our report launches, events, jobs and more 📩 taso.org.uk/newsletter/

Graphic for a TASO in-person event titled “Rethinking student wellbeing support.” The design features a blue and teal gradient background with a subtle image of people stacking their hands together. Text reads “In-PERSON EVENT” and “Rethinking student wellbeing support.” A badge in the top right says “12 March, London.” A rounded button in the bottom right says “Sign up” with an arrow.

Tickets are selling fast for Rethinking student wellbeing support.

Join us 12 March 2026 (10:30–15:30) in London (Blackfriars) for an in-person session on what’s helping – and hindering – student wellbeing in higher education.

Places are limited – grab yours: taso.org.uk/event/rethin...

Book your conference early bird tickets: www.tickettailor.com/events/taso/...

Promotional graphic for the TASO Annual Conference. A dark blue background shows a blurred audience seated at a conference. On the left, large text reads “TASO Annual Conference” with the phrase “Collaborate to evaluate” highlighted in pink. On the right, a pink-outlined box contains the text “Call for presentations.”

Submit a proposal for a short talk or poster presentation to showcase your work during our 2026 annual conference ‘Collaborate to evaluate’.

Submission deadline: 27 February, 13:00

Find submission guidance: taso.org.uk/event/collab...

Designing Likert scales - TASO We often use surveys to measure student aspirations, intermediate outcomes and specific constructs of interest, sense of belonging for example. Likert scales are one of the most commonly used survey…

Access our guidance on designing Likert scales.

Our guidance outlines eight practical considerations to support WP teams and evaluators, including reflections on trade-offs, bias, and validity.

taso.org.uk/libraryitem/...

Blue-to-teal gradient banner with TASO logo at top left and a classical building icon at top right. Text reads: “In-person event | Using ADR flagship datasets” and “Creating evidence of impact: approaches to widening participation and student success.” Background shows faint images of students sitting together with laptops.

Interested in using administrative data to evaluate in HE?

University of Westminster is hosting a face-to-face evaluation clinic for researchers and policymakers using Administrative Data Research UK datasets.

Register by 2 Feb (23:59): taso.org.uk/event/creati...

Promotional graphic for the TASO Annual Conference titled “Collaborate to evaluate”. The design features a dark blue background with a blurred audience image. Text reads “TASO Annual Conference – Collaborate to evaluate”. On the right, a highlighted box states “Early bird tickets live”. The date “12 May 2026” appears in the top right corner.

ICYMI, early bird tickets are now live for our 2026 annual conference ‘Collaborate to evaluate’, taking place in London on 12 May.

This year’s agenda is packed with sessions centred on peer-to-peer learning and shared practice.

Find out more and book your spot: www.tickettailor.com/events/taso/...

Job opportunity - via UCL's Access and Widening Participation Team – recruiting an independent evaluator to assess the impact of the Next Chapter Reading Programme, a literacy intervention for Year 7 pupils.

evaluation.org.uk/jobs-and-ten...

via
@ucloutreach
www.instagram.com/p/DTfDwfHD6iC/

Data insights guide (DIG) - TASO This guide helps higher education providers use their institutional data to identify equality gaps in student success and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions designed to reduce the gaps.

Access our 'data insights guide' (DIG) – a practical, interactive resource to help higher education providers use institutional data to identify equality gaps and evaluate what works to reduce them.

taso.org.uk/libraryitem/...

Graphic for a TASO in-person event titled “Rethinking student wellbeing support.” The design features a blue and teal gradient background with a subtle image of people stacking their hands together. Text reads “In-PERSON EVENT” and “Rethinking student wellbeing support.” A badge in the top right says “12 March, London.” A rounded button in the bottom right says “Sign up” with an arrow.

How can higher education better support student mental health and wellbeing – and what actually works?

Join us 12 March in Blackfriars, London for a free, in-person session sharing evidence from TASO student wellbeing and mental health projects.

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