Creating evidence of impact: approaches to widening participation and student success

As part of the ADR England Research Community Catalyst: Youth Transitions project, the University of Westminster is running a face-to-face clinic to support researchers in their evaluation challenges using ADR UK flagship datasets, such as Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) and Grading and Admissions Data for England (GRADE).

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This clinic will provide tailored advice on data and analysis to support evaluation challenges related to widening participation and student success in higher education. Attendees are invited to submit topics in advance, and the session will focus on the following areas:

• Evaluation of contextual admissions policies: Explore methods for assessing the impact of interventions aimed at boosting access for students from underrepresented or disadvantaged groups.

• Opportunities to use ADR datasets: Learn how datasets such as LEO and GRADE can complement institutional data to evaluate policy impacts.

• Evaluation techniques: Discuss approaches including random-effects (multilevel) and fixed effects models, instrumental variable methods, matching, difference-in-differences, panel data estimation, and regression discontinuity design, alongside considerations for causal identification.

The session will aim to help researchers wishing to evaluate the impact of policies and interventions supporting underrepresented groups in higher education.

Who should attend?

• Researchers and policymakers interested in identifying what works in education policy

• Potential ADR UK research fellowship applicants

• All those using ADR UK administrative datasets for causal identification

You'll gain access to bespoke expert advice on using administrative datasets to implement quasi-experimental evaluation techniques.

Event details

When: 10:00–13:00, Thursday 26 February 2026
Where: Room M321, University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5LS
Cost: Free
How to attend: Register your interest on the TASO website. 

The project is co-funded by TASO, ADR England, and the Youth Futures Foundation, and forms part of ADR England’s Community Catalyst initiative to increase use of ADR UK flagship datasets and build a network of researchers focused on youth transitions in the UK.