Further Education, Political Economy and Social Change

This submission contains eight papers and a synoptic commentary to be examined for the
award of PhD on the Basis of Published Work. The papers focus upon the further education
(FE) system in England. Each examines significant contemporary or historical issues and
provides a critical analysis of the changing nature of FE. Collectively, the publications
constitute an original and significant contribution to understanding further education and the
social and economic context within which it is placed. The commentary highlights the links
between the different papers and demonstrates their coherence; it locates the publications
within an overarching analytical framework; and it shows how the work submitted makes a
significant contribution to knowledge. It also explains my contribution to the three coauthored
papers that constitute part of this thesis. It is argued that, taken together, my work
provides a sustained and consistent critique of the English further education system from a
critical materialist perspective.