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Talent Bank - An Innovative STEM Intervention to Develop the Next Generation of Life Science Talent in the South-West Region of Wales / BEVERLEY WILSON-SMITH
Swansea University Author: BEVERLEY WILSON-SMITH
DOI (Published version): 10.23889/SUthesis.59823
Abstract
The rationale for the qualitative study was initiated from recommendations of the Life Science Skills for Life (2014) regional study, identifying the need for a talent pool to support the region’s life science sector. A literature review identified further research needs of experiential learning des...
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Swansea
2022
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Doctoral |
| Degree name: | Ph.D |
| Supervisor: | Lloyd, Keith ; Davies, Gareth H. ; Joyce, Naomi S. |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59823 |
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| Abstract: |
The rationale for the qualitative study was initiated from recommendations of the Life Science Skills for Life (2014) regional study, identifying the need for a talent pool to support the region’s life science sector. A literature review identified further research needs of experiential learning design in integrated STEM interventions, particularly in further education contexts. The study explores stakeholder perspectives from employers, educators and student participants aged 16-19 years. The study was conducted over three action cycles between 2014 and 2018 iteratively identifying the talent requirements, intervention design and implementation. The intervention utilised an experiential education pedagogy in the course design with a set of features including masterclasses, industry challenges, mentoring, company visits, work experience and a set of skills strands as the main experiential learning opportunities. The aim of Talent Bank was to increase student interest and awareness of the life science sector and its STEM career opportunities in the south west region of Wales. Five collection instruments were used to collect the data and thematic analysis revealed the following findings: The Talent Bank model raised awareness and understanding of the life science sector and its career opportunities; stakeholders from the life science ecosystem willingly supported the delivery of the programme to ensure a dynamic, relevant and authentic learning experience; most participants indicated they would consider future employment in the life sciences or STEM related sectors having improved their reflexive practice habits, skills and individual profiles; the action research identified the perceptions of three stakeholder groups that could influence curricula development practice. The Talent Bank model represents an approach to developing a pipeline of the next generation of talent to serve the evolving needs of the life science sector. The researcher developed her own professional practice and craft as an action researcher in the development of the Talent Bank model. |
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| Keywords: |
Action Research, Stakeholders, Integrated STEM Education, Life Sciences Sector, Careers, South West Region of Wales, Further Education, Curriculum Development Praxis |
| College: |
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |