EdComs has a team of 14 researchers specialising in educational and community-based research for public, private and third-sector clients.
Our role in EdComs
Since EdComs' inception in 1995, research has been used to inform programme development and review. EdComs' programmes have become increasingly sophisticated and complex over the years, and our approach to feasibility studies and evaluations has evolved accordingly.
We now use this expertise to conduct research for external clients looking to develop their own policy, learning activities and commercial offers, as well as continuing to support other EdComs teams.
Core skills/background
Our Research team is made up of primary and secondary research experts. We are a full-service agency with expertise in a wide range of qualitative, quantitative and desk research specialisms.
Our original focus was on conducting research in the education sector. Since then we have expanded to cover related areas such as health, behaviour change and community engagement. This is in response to formal and informal learning being used to address diverse social issues.
We specialise particularly in conducting research among practitioners and hard-to-reach audiences. Our team comprises individuals with commercial, academic and policy backgrounds. We all have an active interest in the well-being of young people, our communities and education. We work closely with the Market Intelligence team in generating robust findings using desk methods and sophisticated secondary analysis techniques which underpin our primary approaches.
How we work
- Our broad methodological, content and audience specialisms enable us to tailor our approach to meet the demands of the project.
- Our understanding of formal and informal learning settings is reflected in the approach we take and the way we interpret our findings.
- Secondary analysis often underpins our approach by providing wider contextual and audience understanding at the start of projects.
- We have a strong network of teaching professionals, opinion leaders and experts across the UK, which enables us to conduct targeted and time-efficient research.
- Our research outputs vary, from briefs written for resource development to reports for wider publication.
- We encourage self-development and run internal working groups to develop our methodological expertise. We also debate and develop new creative approaches to working with young people and hard-to-reach communities.