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Department of Education

Prof Susan James Relly

Professor of Vocational Education and Honorary Research Fellow

Susan is an Honorary Research Fellow and former Deputy Director of the department.

Susan completed a B.Ed at  Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia, and read for a MSc in Comparative and International Education and a DPhil in Education at the University of Oxford. Susan’s entire career has been in education in various forms: she taught in secondary schools in Australia and England before starting her academic career.

Susan’s research interests are in the following areas:

  • Technical and vocational education and training policy
  • Vocational excellence
  • Apprenticeship
  • Work based and professional learning
  • Quality and esteem in FE
  • Territory landscape
  • Skills economy

Funded Research Projects:

  • Good people in a flawed system: the challenges of mainstreaming excellence in technical education

    • Sept 2018- April 2019

    WorldSkills UK (£12,000)

  • The vocational formation of world skills competitions' Training Managers: how does it translate in FE and PTP delivery

    • 2018

    WorldSkills UK

  • Who pays and who trains? A comparative study of apprenticeship systems across different national contexts

    • Oct 2016–Sept 2017

    The QATAR Foundation (£78,984) - Co-Principal Investigator

  • The Landscape of Private Training Providers

    • Oct 2015- Oct 2016

    The Gatsby Charitable Foundation (£8,670.22) - Principal Investigator

  • Principal Investigator, ‘Developing and Understanding Vocational Excellence’ project

    • June 2008 – Jan 2016

    National Apprenticeship Service (Skills Funding Agency) (£1,074,931.70) - Principal Investigator

  • Evaluation on the Skills Competition CPD Program

    • April 2014 – Jan 2015

    The Education & Training Foundation (£15,000) - Principal Investigator

  • Apprenticeships, Employer engagement, and Vocational Formation in England’ project

    • Nov 2012 – Aug 2013

    British Council China (£26,475) - Principal Investigator

  • ‘Modelling Vocational Excellence (MoVE)’ project

    • Mar2011 – May 2012

    WorldSkills Foundation (£10,250) - Research Fellow

  • ‘Graduates on the property ladder: skills, work and employment in a ‘graduatising’ industry’ project

    • Jan 2011 – Apr 2012

    ESRC Small Grant Award (£100,000) - Principal Investigator

  • ‘Comparative study of vocational qualifications and their impact in raising skills in England and South Africa’ project

    • Oct 2005 – Sept 2007

    Leverhulme Early Career Development Fellowship (£49,279) - Research Fellow

Doctoral Applications

Susan welcomes doctoral applications from students interested in the following research areas:

  • Vocational education and training policy
  • Apprenticeship and work based learning
  • Social mobility and non-graduate occupations
  • Further education, teaching, learning and assessment
  • Quality and esteem in further education

Publications:

  • Books

    • Hayward, G., & James, S. (2004). Balancing the Skills Equation. Policy Press.

  • Book chapters

    • JAMES RELLY, S., & KEEP, E. (2019). Recognizing and Developing Vocational Excellence Through Skills Competitions. In S. McGrath, M. Mulder, J. Papier, & R. Suart (Eds.), Handbook of Vocational Education and Training: Developments in the Changing World of Work. Springer.

    • James Relly, S., & Keep, E. (2018). Recognizing and developing vocational excellence through skills competitions. In S. McGrath, M. Mulder, J. Papier, & R. Suart (Eds.), Handbook of Vocational Education and Training: Developments in the Changing World of Work. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49789-1_112-1
      https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:4fada653-9b95-430e-9eec-37ca929bc90a

    • James Relly, S., & Keep, E. (2018). What is vocational excellence?. In R. McLean & M. Mulder (Eds.), Handbook of Vocational Education and Training.

    • James Relly, S., & Keep, E. (2016). Employers and meeting the Government’s apprenticeship target: what could possibly go wrong?. In Where next for apprenticeships?. Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:ddedf8ed-17f1-4beb-a301-86c21f620c2b
      https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:ddedf8ed-17f1-4beb-a301-86c21f620c2b

    • James, S., & Warhurst, C. (2013). Questioning the UK government’s vision of higher education and social mobility: evidence from a non-graduate occupation. In S. Natale & A. Libertella (Eds.), Higher Education: economic and social mobility. Global Scholarly Publications.

    • Keep, E., & James, S. (2012). Are Skills the Answer to Bad jobs? Incentives to Learn at the Bottom end of the Labour Market. In C. Warhurst, F. Carre, P. Findlay, & C. Tilly (Eds.), Are Bad jobs Inevitable?: Trends, Determinants and Responses to Job Quality in the Twenty-First Century. Palgrave Macmillan.

    • James, S., Bryson, J., & Keep, E. (2012). Recruitment and Selection. In S. Bach & M. Edwards (Eds.), Managing Human Resources: Human resource Management in transition. Wiley.

    • James, S., & Keep, E. (2011). Employer Demand for Apprenticeships. In T. Dolphin & T. Lanning (Eds.), Rethinking Apprenticeships (pp. 55-65). Institute for Public Policy Research IPPR.

    • Grunert, K., James, S., & Moss, P. (2010). Tough Meat, Hard Candy: Implications for Low-Wage Work in the Food-Processing Industry. In LOW-WAGE WORK IN THE WEALTHY WORLD (pp. 367-420).

    • James, S. (2009). Learning to Cook: Analysing Apprentice’s Knowledge and Skill Construction in the Workplace. In HANDBOOK OF TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING RESEARCH (pp. 674-683).

    • Dutton, E., Warhurst, C., Lloyd, C., James, S., Commander, J., & Nickson, D. (2008). "Just like the elves in Harry Potter": Room attendants in United Kingdom hotels. In Low-Wage Work in the United Kingdom (pp. 96-130).

    • James, S., & Lloyd, C. (2008). Supply Chain pressures and migrant workers: Deteriorating job quality in the United Kingdom food-processing industry. In Low-Wage Work in the United Kingdom (pp. 211-246).

    • James, S., & Lloyd, C. (2008). Supply Chain pressures and migrant workers: Deteriorating job quality in the United Kingdom food-processing industry. In Project Muse 4 (pp. 211-246). DUMMY PUBID.

    • Dutton, E., Warhurst, C., Lloyd, C., James, S., Commander, J., & Nickson, D. (2008). "Just like the elves in Harry Potter": Room attendants in United Kingdom hotels. In Project Muse 4 (pp. 96-130). DUMMY PUBID.

    • James, S. (2007). To Cook or not to Cook: Participant Observation as a Data Collection Technique. In G. Walford (Ed.), Methodological developments in ethnography. Elsevier.

    • James, S., & Hayward, G. (2004). Producing Skills: conundrums and possibilities. In G. Hayward & S. James (Eds.), Balancing the skills equation: key issues and challenges for policy and practice. Policy Press.

    • James, S. (2004). Becoming a chef: the politics and culture of learning. In G. Hayward & S. James (Eds.), Balancing the Skills Equation: Key issues and challenges for policy (pp. 219-243). The Policy Press.

  • Journal articles

    • James Relly, S., & Laczik, A. (2021). Apprenticeship, employer engagement and vocational formation: a process of collaboration. Journal of Education and Work, 35(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/13639080.2021.1983524
      https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:b63d49e6-e544-4e74-9983-e78b9046c0ac

    • James Relly, S. (2021). The political rhetoric of parity of esteem. Oxford Review of Education, 47(4), 513-528. https://doi.org/10.1080/03054985.2020.1866522
      https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:b7f99252-4b6a-4843-9648-ba03122df10c

    • James Relly, S. (2020). Moving from competence to excellence: The role of training managers in providing pedagogical leadership in UK further education. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 45(5), 704-716. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2020.1812548
      https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:5df1533c-a984-4fc3-bf16-69971dd75fcd

    • Chankseliani, M., & James Relly, S. (2016). Three-capital approach to the study of young people who excel in vocational occupations: a case of WorldSkills competitors and entrepreneurship. International Journal for Research in Vocational Education and Training, 3(1), 46-65. https://doi.org/10.13152/IJRVET.3.1.4
      https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:f5e04c7e-a3dc-4701-9f6a-94bd8ba0c88a

    • Chankseliani, M., James Relly, S., & Laczik, A. (2015). Overcoming vocational prejudice: how can skills competitions improve the attractiveness of vocational education and training in the UK?. British Educational Research Journal, 42(4), 582-599. https://doi.org/10.1002/berj.3218
      https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:ad4b0883-d37d-4585-999c-d69e597c9381

    • James Relly, S., & Wilde, S. (2015). WorldSkills UK training managers: Midas touch or fools’ gold?. International Journal for Research in Vocational Education and Training, 2(2), 85-98. https://doi.org/10.13152/IJRVET.2.2.1
      https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:439e3d42-6924-430e-99ff-0dbe27cc19d9

    • James, S., Warhurst, C., Tholen, G., & Commander, J. (2013). What we know and what we need to know about graduate skills. Work, Employment and Society, 27(6), 952-963. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017013500116
      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017013500116

    • Keep, E., & James, S. (2012). A Bermuda triangle of policy? ’Bad jobs’, skills policy and incentives to learn at the bottom end of the labour market. JOURNAL OF EDUCATION POLICY, 27(2), 211-230. https://doi.org/10.1080/02680939.2011.595510
      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02680939.2011.595510

    • Caroli, E., Gautie, J., Lloyd, C., Lamanthe, A., & James, S. (2010). Delivering Flexibility: Contrasting Patterns in the French and the UK Food Processing Industry. BRITISH JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, 48(2), 284-309. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8543.2010.00792.x
      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8543.2010.00792.x

    • Lloyd, C., & James, S. (2008). Too much pressure? Retailer power and occupational health and safety in the food processing industry. WORK EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIETY, 22(4), 713-730. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017008098366
      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017008098366

    • James, S. (2006). Learning to Cook: Production Learning Environment in Kitchens. Learning Environments Research, 9(1), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-005-9001-5
      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-005-9001-5

    • Tholen, G., Warhurst, C., Commander, J., Lindsay, J., & James, S. (n.d.). The Five Obstacles that Hamper Better Understanding of Graduate Labour and Skills. SKOPE Issues Paper No.27.

  • Reports

    • James Relly, S., Robson, J., Emms, K., Laczik, A., Randhawa, A., Aizawa, I., Dong, L., Hwang, S., Pinto, V., & Zlock, Z. (2021). Drivers of technical excellence in the skills economy. WorldSkills UK. https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:9e4c4607-b5df-4d64-a7c5-3437eb17c49c
      https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:9e4c4607-b5df-4d64-a7c5-3437eb17c49c

    • James Relly, S. (2019). Good people in a flawed system: the challenges of mainstreaming excellence in technical education. In World Skill Uk. worldskillsuk. https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:4f98ae45-3ad4-46ea-9bdb-5f9f08ffd359
      https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:4f98ae45-3ad4-46ea-9bdb-5f9f08ffd359

    • JAMES RELLY, S., & Nokelainen, P. (2017). What contributes to vocational excellence? A study of the characteristics of WorldSkills UK participants for WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017. OUC.

    • James Relly, S., Allen, J., & Mayhew, K. (2015). Further education college participation in worldSkills and other competitions. http://vocationalexcellence.education.ox.ac.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Project-4-Further-education-college-participation-in-WorldSkills-and-other-skills-competitions.pdf

    • Chankseliani, M., James Relly, S., & Mayhew, K. (2015). WorldSkills competitors and entrepreneurship. SKOPE. https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:920f310f-39cf-4243-af1e-0f26ec4d895c
      https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:920f310f-39cf-4243-af1e-0f26ec4d895c

    • Wilde, S., James, S., & Mayhew, K. (2015). Training Managers: Benefits from and barriers to WorldSkills UK participation. Oxford University Consulting.

    • Chankseliani, M., Mayhew, K., & James, S. (2015). Benefits of developing vocational excellence: a report to the National Apprenticeship Service of Project 3 (phase II) of the DUVE suite of projects. In Benefits of Developing Vocational Excellence. A Report to the NationalApprenticeship Service of Project 3 (Phase II) of the DUVE suite of projects (pp. 1-67). Skills Funding Agency. https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:14b74129-ea3a-4c37-97de-371c16905a16
      https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:14b74129-ea3a-4c37-97de-371c16905a16

    • James Relly, S., Nokelainen, P., & Stasz, C. (2014). What contributes to vocational excellence? A pilot study of the individual characteristics of the WorldSkills UK 2011 squad. In SKOPE Research Paper. SKOPE.

    • James Relly, S., Rodriguez Leal, T., & Mayhew, K. (2014). Interim Evaluation Report on the Skills Competition CPD Programme. Oxford University Consulting.

    • James Relly, S., Rodriguez Leal, T., & Mayhew, K. (2014). Final Evaluation Report on the Skills Competition CPD Programme. Oxford University Consulting.

    • James, S., Holmes, C., & Mayhew, K. (2013). Learning Environments to Develop vocational Excellence. Oxford: SKOPE. In A Report to the National Apprenticeship Service of Project 2 of the DUVE suite of projects.. SKOPE.

    • James, S., Mayhew, K., Chankseliani, M., & Laczik, A. (2013). Benefits of developing vocational excellence: a report to the National Apprenticeship Service. Oxford: SKOPE. In Benefits of Developing Vocational Excellence A Report to the National Apprenticeship Service of Project 3 of the DUVE suite of projects. https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:c9fbb733-8201-468a-92db-9d43ae122843
      https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:c9fbb733-8201-468a-92db-9d43ae122843

    • James, S., Nokelainen, P., & Stasz, C. (2013). What contributes to Vocational Excellence? A study of the WorldSkills UK squad 2013. A Report to the National Apprenticeship Service. Oxford: SKOPE.

    • James, S., Mayhew, K., Laczik, A., & Mordarska, M. (2013). Report on Apprenticeships, Employer Engagement and Vocational Formation in England. Oxford University Consulting.

    • James Relly, S., Holmes, C., & Mayhew, K. (2012). Learning environments to develop vocational excellence. In Learning environments to develop vocational excellence (pp. 1-33). Centre on Skills, Knowledge and Organisational Performance. https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:59b29e29-f559-4630-aeb4-effaffd1f34d
      https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:59b29e29-f559-4630-aeb4-effaffd1f34d

    • James, S., Nokelainen, P., Smith, H., Rahimi, M., & Stasz, C. (2012). What contributes to vocational excellence? Overview from a study conducted at WorldSkills 2011. WorldSkills Foundation.

    • James Relly, S., & Holmes, C. (2012). Developing Vocational Excellence: Learning Environments within Work Environments. In SKOPE Research Paper. Cardiff and Oxford Universities.

    • James, S., Nokelainen, P., & Stasz, C. (2012). Developing and Understanding Vocational Excellence: individual attributes and characteristics, report to WorldSkills UK. SKOPE.

    • James, S., & Chankseliani, M. (2012). Skills, Work and Employment in the Real Estate Industry, report to AssetSkills Northampton. SKOPE.

    • James Relly, S. (2010). What is apprenticeship?. In SKOPE Issues Paper. SKOPE.

    • James Relly, S., & Keep, E. (2010). What Incentives to Learn at the Bottom End of the Labour Market?. In SKOPE Research Paper. Cardiff University, SKOPE.

    • James Relly, S., & Keep, E. (2010). Recruitment and Selection – The Great Neglected Topic. In SKOPE Research Paper. SKOPE.

    • James Relly, S. (2009). The Skills Training Levy in South Africa: Skilling the Workforce or Just Another Tax?. In SKOPE Issues Paper. SKOPE.

    • James Relly, S. (2006). Adding new ingredients to an old recipe: NVQs and the influence of CATERBASE. In Skope issues paper. ESRC Centre on Skills, Knowledge and Organisational Performance (SKOPE).

    • James Relly, S., Hayward, G., & Oh, S. (2002). Alternative Models of Provision Project Working Paper No. 3: Work-related Learning. Department of Educational Studies.

    • James Relly, S., & Hayward, G. (n.d.). Diversity in Learning: Establishing the Cognitive Styles and Learning Strategies of Young People in the Youth Justice System. Department of Educational Studies.

    • James Relly, S., Warhurst, C., Commander, J., Lindsay, K., & Tholen, G. (n.d.). The Five Obstacles that Hamper Better Understanding of Graduate Labour and Skills. In SKOPE Issues Paper. Cardiff University.

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