Latest news and blog posts

News

12 March 2026

Data-driven student wellbeing support no match for human connection

New research finds that email nudges and learning analytics data alone do not effectively support student wellbeing or academic engagement, while trusted relationships help build confidence and encourage positive engagement with studies.

Blog

10 March 2026

Tackling harassment and sexual misconduct in higher education: the reporting paradox

Aniela Bankowicz

Aniela Bankowicz, TASO Evaluation Officer, reflects on what the Home Office’s review on what works to reduce violence against women and girls means for universities implementing the new OfS condition on harassment and sexual misconduct, and why reporting rates alone cannot tell us whether progress is being made.

Blog

19 February 2026

From ideas to impact: Using theory of change to shape Middlesex University’s transition support programme

Dr Molly Rowlands

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 programme, turning promising ideas into a coherent, evidence-ready intervention aimed at improving student continuation and success.

Blog

12 February 2026

Starting off on the right foot: What we know about transition support programmes and why more research is needed

Dr Anisa Butt, Dr Edoardo Masset, and Mikayla Boginsky

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 help.

News

11 February 2026

HEEL (Higher Education Evaluation Library): new guidance and updates

The HEEL will serve as a central, searchable repository for evaluations of interventions across the student lifecycle, from initial university and college access through to student success and career progression.

News

11 February 2026

Anna Mountford-Zimdars appointed to UKRI policy fellowship

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

Blog

3 February 2026

Flying the flag for university access for all

Lucy Haire, Director of Sector Engagement at UPP

Lucy Haire, Director of Sector Engagement at UPP, argues that amid persistent access gaps and unhelpful rhetoric, higher education remains a vital and positive pathway for disadvantaged students and must continue to be actively championed and supported.

Blog

8 January 2026

How menstrual experiences shape the higher education student experience

Nicholette Pollard-Odle

Nicholette Pollard-Odle explores how menstruation affects students’ experiences in higher education, drawing on HEPI evidence to highlight the need for more coordinated institutional responses to support menstrual equity.

Blog

6 January 2026

An effective whole-provider approach is greater than the sum of its parts

Hannah Thomson

Hannah Thomson, Evaluation Manager at TASO, explains how aligning equality and inclusion work across an institution can be more effective than standalone interventions.

Blog

22 December 2025

Embedding evaluation to close equality gaps: TASO in 2025

Dr Omar Khan

As TASO enters its seventh year, CEO Dr Omar Khan evaluates the progress made in shifting the sector toward evidence-led practice. He examines the milestones of 2025, noting the persistent barriers to equality, and looks forward to our work in 2026.

Blog

30 October 2025

Centring the voices of African/Caribbean heritage students at Birmingham City University

Melanie-Marie Haywood (Dean of Students), Shivani Wilson-Rochford (Head of Curriculum Development), and Philippa Try (Senior Evaluation Officer) at Birmingham City University

This Black History Month, Birmingham City University shares how ‘Project Zero’ is transforming institutional practice by centring the voices of Black African/Caribbean and South Asian heritage students

Race and ethnicity

Blog

21 October 2025

Evaluation and equality in the education and skills white paper

Dr Omar Khan

Dr Omar Khan, TASO CEO, reflects on the government’s post-16 education and skills white paper, welcoming its focus on evidence and addressing inequality

Attainment raisingEmployment and employabilityLow-income backgroundsMental health and wellbeing

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