Young people's aspirations remain an enduring focus of education policy interest and concern. Drawing on data from an ongoing five-year study of young people's science and career aspirations (age 10-14), this paper asks what do young people aspire to at age 12/13, and what influences these aspirations? It outlines the main aspirations…

There is a growing literature discussing the experiences and identities of academics working within the "new times" of contemporary academia. Critiques have been levied at the impact of neoliberalism on the nature, organisation and purpose of higher education (HE), highlighting the negative consequences for "traditional" academic identities and…

Students' post-compulsory pathways and occupational aspirations in the UK have been shown to differ considerably according to gender, social class and ethnicity. School-based work experience provides many pupils with their first significant encounters with the world of work, and is positioned as providing diverse experiences in this regard. Yet…

Uses data collected from London school to explore processes through which inner-city, working-class students leave school at the age of 16. Draws attention to issues of identity and inequality. Highlights the ways in which the young people viewed themselves as "not good enough" and "knew their limits" in relation to postcompulsory educational…