HE/FE NEWS
University of Staffordshire develops app to tackle violence against women
A new app developed by University of Staffordshire and TKO Consulting is using virtual reality to raise awareness of violence against women and girls.
The project is the
brainchild of former Stoke City footballer Meg Bowyer who has been subjected to sexual harassment on multiple occasions when out exercising.
“Men would shout inappropriate comments as I ran past,” she said. “If that was your mum, sister, wife, daughter or friend, you wouldn’t like them having that shouted at them.
“I thought, if men can put on a VR headset and see through the eyes of a woman, that might make them understand how we feel.” She added: “It’s not saying you are doing something wrong – they might not necessarily realise how they make women feel. It’s about raising awareness and educating people.”
Meg works for TKO Consulting, which supports offenders after their release from prison, and approached University of Staffordshire to collaborate on an immersive virtual reality (VR) app to challenge attitudes and educate
London School of Innovation granted degree-awarding powers for AI-led teaching
AI-native higher education institution the London School of Innovation (LSI) has now been granted degree-awarding powers. LSI is pioneering a new model of teaching that replaces traditional lectures with AI-driven learning and human-led discussion. Instead of lectures, students are assigned a 24/7 personal AI tutor that adapts to their background, goals, and learning style. The AI delivers tailored content, continuous feedback, and interactive challenges, while human professors focus on mentoring, group discussions, and real- world problem-solving.
LSI offers postgraduate degrees and professional courses in AI, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Its goal is to train leaders capable of managing AI-powered organisations responsibly. The institution was founded by the team behind WordUp and Geeks Ltd, combining experience in large-scale AI learning and digital transformation.
After a rigorous multi-year review, the UK’s Office for Students (OfS) granted LSI New Degree Awarding Powers in March 2026. This makes it one of a small number of challenger institutions with this status. LSI is believed to be the first university in the UK to receive such approval with a fully AI-native teaching model, marking a significant shift in how higher education may evolve in the age of artificial intelligence.
people about this type of harassment.
Over the past 18 months, Meg has worked with Lecturer in Policing David Webb and Digital Education Officer Simran Cheema to design an app that places users in realistic scenarios commonly experienced by women. Using a VR headset, participants step into the role of Zoe, a woman walking home alone. As events unfold, users are confronted with inappropriate comments and the experience of being followed – situations many women face regularly.
David has 18 years’ experience as a police officer and is currently completing a PhD in domestic abuse research. He is also a member of the University’s VAWG Hub, which connects professionals, police, and charities to improve support for victims of domestic and sexual abuse. “Virtual reality gives us a safe environment to explore difficult situations. This app enables users to step directly into Zoe’s shoes and experience how quickly an ordinary evening can become intimidating,” David explained. “The aim is to educate people about attitudes and behaviours towards women and girls by providing a first-hand experience of the harassment many women encounter daily.”
The app will now be trialled with TKO Consulting, as well as local schools, colleges and businesses, before being rolled out more widely. The team also plans to evaluate its impact through research and hopes to incorporate it into teaching across University degree programmes.
East Lancashire Learning Group tops national tables
East Lancashire Learning Group (ELLG) has been ranked the number one further education college group in England in the latest national achievement rate tables (NARTS), reinforcing its position as a high-performing provider across all provision. The
Group comprises Nelson and Colne College Group, Accrington and Rossendale College, and Lancashire Adult Learning. The latest data places ELLG at the top of the national tables for 16-18, adult and overall achievement rates, confirming its consistent strength across provision types and learner cohorts, and highlighting its sustained focus on quality, outcomes and accountability. The result is particularly significant within the context of a highly scrutinised further education landscape, where achievement rates remain a key accountability measure for providers, inspectors and policymakers alike. ELLG’s performance reflects a strong alignment between curriculum intent, high-quality teaching, and learner outcomes across Lancashire.
ELLG has also ranked number one for both A Level and vocational progress measures. This indicates that learners not only achieve at higher rates, but also make significant progress, outperforming expectations and reflecting the strength of the Group’s curriculum design, evidence- informed pedagogy and teaching practice.
ELLG also remains the only college group in the country to have maintained Ofsted Outstanding status for 20 consecutive years, an exceptional record that continues to set it apart within the sector. Lisa O’Loughlin CBE, CEO and Principal of East Lancashire Learning Group, said: “We are incredibly proud to be recognised as the number one further education college group in the country. This achievement reflects the dedication, expertise and professionalism of our staff, and the ambition and success of our learners.”
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www.education-today.co.uk April 2026
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