Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

The Changing Faces study ran between January 2002 and July 2004. It aimed to track policy initiatives stemming from the 1970 adult literacy campaign to the launch of the Skills for Life Strategy as part of the National Literacy Strategy. Documentary, longitudinal and quantitative data were used alongside oral history interviews to collect the perspectives of three groups: adults with basic skills needs, practitioners involved in teaching and organising within Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English for Speakers of Other Languages programmes (ESOL), and people involved in making and managing policy in this field. The study began with a small survey of practitioners being asked to talk about important events and people within ABE and ESOL between 1970 and 2000. These responses were built upon as well as the researchers own contacts to conduct email and face-to-face interviews as well as setting up group activities to collect memories, experiences and views from this period. The research focused on four case study sites of Leicestershire, Norfolk, Greater Manchester and North East London to examine how these experiences intersect within specific geographical areas. Assorted archives of material are available at other archives.

Purposive selection/case studies

Face-to-face interview

Telephone interview

Email interview