Theoretical orientations
Geographical
boundaries
To encourage new RPL practices to build
on the existing research base rather than
reinvent the wheel
 As RPL practices develop and change
around the world, there is a need to
keep sight of research that has taken
place over the last few decades, as well
as to capture new research and new
scholarly activity

• RESEARCH: systematic empirical
research and non-empirical
scholarly literature
• PRACTICE: research, policy and
actual practice
Research
Practice
INSPIRES
illuminates
SUPPORTS
INVESTIGATES
EXPLORES
CATALYSES
INFLUENCES
IMPACTS
CHALLENGES
REFUTES
INFORMS
REDEFINES
CONFIRMS
STIMULATES
Overview chapters (2)
 Policy-oriented chapters (2)
 Issues-based chapters (7)
 Context-based chapters (4)

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Researching the Recognition of Prior
Learning: The emergence of a field
(Christine Wihak)

Advances in Theorising RPL
(Judy Harris)

Lifelong Learning Policy and RPL in the
Learning Society (Ruud Duvekot)

RPL, Labour Markets and National
Qualifications Framework (Patrick
Werquin)

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RPL and Workforce Development (Ros Cameron)
Treading a Fine Line: Expectations and ambivalences
in trade union engagement with RPL (Linda Cooper)
RPL and Social Justice in Higher Education (Angie
Wong)
Quality in Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
(Joy van Kleef)
Trends and Issues in the Professional Development of
RPL Practitioners (Nan Travers and Judy Harris)
Exploring the Learner Experience of RPL (Helen
Pokorny and Ruth Whittaker)
Technology and RPL (Ros Cameron, Nan Travers and
Christine Wihak)
RPL in Higher Education: Past, present
and potential (Dianne Conrad)
 RPL in Further and Vocational Education
and Training (Per Andersson)
 Life after PLAR: The post-assessment
success of candidates (Joy Van Kleef)
 Prior Learning Assessment for Immigrants
in Regulated Professions (Leah Moss)
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Compendium of research and scholarly literature,
organised thematically, in one text
Extension of that literature in terms of its implications
for ‘practice’
Resource for academic researchers, postgraduate
students, policymakers and practitioners interested in
researching and developing RPL
Resource for practitioner training
Huge reference lists: references, abstracts and some
full-texts will be entered into the PLIRC database
A useful and timely resources as RPL continues to
develop around the world
There will be no social and economic
‘promise’ unless we heed lessons from the
past
 Research and practice need to work
together to address this ‘promise’ – and as
a ‘prerequisite’ for ‘systematic knowledge
production’
 ‘The professional development of RPL
requires both experiential learning and
research-based learning and knowledge’
 Encourage research and researchers!!!


PLIRC database:
http://ideasketch.tru.ca/

Knowledge exchange via online journal
Prior Learning Assessment: Inside out
PLAIO:
http://www.plaio.org/index.php/home
THANK YOU