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Dr Nalita James

Associate Professor - Reader (Teaching Focussed) / Director of Academic Studies / Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Centre for Lifelong Learning, Westwood Campus

Nalita.James@warwick.ac.uk

Biography

Nalita is Reader and Director of Academic Studies in the Centre for Lifelong Learning. She is also Fellow of the Warwick International Higher Education Academy (WIHEA), and co-leads (with Dr Anil Awesti) on the Mature Student Experience Learning Circle Learning Circles She is also an Alumni Fellow of the Warwick Institute for Engagement (WIE).

Prior roles have included being the Director of Teaching and Learning at the Vaughan Centre for Lifelong Learning at the University of Leicester, and Head of Curriculum and Quality for the Leicester Adult Skills and Learning Service. Nalita is also a Honorary Associate Professor in Education, in the School of Education at the University of Leicester, and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Up until recently she was Chair and Council member of the Standing Conference on University Teaching and Research in the Education of Adults (SCUTREA). She is currently a institutional member of the Universities Association of Lifelong Learning (UALL).

Nalita is also Co-Editor of the Studies in the Education of Adults journal as well as editorial board member for the International Journal of Lifelong Education. She currently sits on the Warwickshire Adult Education Advisory Board and is a member of the QAA Access to HE Strategy Review Group. In June 2022, Nalita was awarded Honorary Fellowship of SCUTREA in recognition of her contribution to lifelong learning.

Nalita is currently co-editor of a Special Issue (with Dr Anil Awesti) on Resilience in Adult Education Resilience in Adult Education to be published in the Studies in the Education of Adults Journal in 2026.

In 2025, Nalita had published by Edward Elgar the Research Handbook for Adult Learning and Education, co-edited with Dr Sharon Clancy and Professor Kevin Orr. Research Handbook on Adult Learning and Education 

Research Interests

Nalita's research interests lie in the sociology of education and include: the sociology of education and include: access to higher education; changing patterns of voice and identity in adult education, and lifelong learning and education policy.  Finally, her methodological research interests include the use of (auto)biographical research methodologies, as well as the use of online research methods in qualitative research

Previous Research/Scholarship

As a Fellow of the WIE, Nalita received funding in 2023 (with Dr Kerry Dobbins) to work in collaboration and co-production with Warwickshire Adult Community Learning (WACL), to develop accessible progression routes into HE from ACL contexts. The project also aimed to learn more about how WACL support diverse and non-traditional learners to engage in their learning and enhance their personal development (e.g., confidence and self-esteem, communication, active citizenship, etc.) and how their approaches to supporting their learners could be embedded into Warwick’s priorities in relation to the Inclusive Education Model.

With the Leicester Adult Skills and Learning Service, Nalita was awarded funding from the Department for Local Government and Communities (2017-20) to examine the impact of adult education on migration and integration in Leicester.

Nalita also conducted research with Dr Hugh Busher, in the School of Education, University of Leicester, and funded by the British Academy and Aim Awards (2013-16) on the learning transitions of Access to Higher Education (HE) students. The study also examined education policy focused on recruit and retain students in HE to deliver future economic growth and social mobility, rather than creating opportunities for students to 'participate' in HE.

PhD Supervision and Interests

Nalita can supervise PhD students in the following areas:

  • Access to higher education
  • Adult education and lifelong learning
  • Education, work and identity
  • Social justice and higher education
  • Teaching and Learning in adult education
Full List of Publications

Books

  • James, N., Clancy, S. and Orr, K. (2025) (eds.) Research Handbook on Adult Learning and Education, London: Edward Elgar.
  • James, N. and Busher, H. (2018) Improving Opportunities to Engage in Learning: A study of the Access to Higher Education Diploma, London: Routledge.
  • Boeren, E. and James, N. (2019) Being an Adult Learner in Austere Times, London: Palgrave.
  • Boeren, E. and James, N. (2018) Advancing Theory and Research in Widening Participation, London, Routledge.
  • James, N. and Busher, H. (2009) Online Interviewing. London: Sage Publications.

 

Journal Articles

  • Busher, H. and James, N, (2020) Struggling to become successful learners: Mature students’ early experiences of Access to Higher Education courses, Studies in the Education of Adults. 51 (1) https://doi.org/10.1080/02660830.2018.1556483
  • Busher, H. and James, N. (2019 ) Mature students’ socio-economic backgrounds and their choices of Access to Higher Education courses, Journal of Further and Higher Education, 44 (5) https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2019.1576857
  • Lokhtina, I. and James, N. (2018) Feeling on the periphery? The challenge of supporting academic development and identity through communities of practice, Studies in the Education of Adults, 50 (1)39-56.
  • Boeren, E. and James, N. (2017) Editors Special Issue: Advancing theory and research in widening participation, Studies in Continuing Education, 39 (2): 117-119.
  • James, N. (2016) Creating space to think and time to talk. Using email interviews to gather academic narratives, International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education,
  • James, N. Suttill, B. and Busher, H. (2016) Using habitus and field to explore Access to Higher Education Students' identities and learning, Studies in the Education of Adults.47 (1): 4-20.
  • Busher, H., James., N. and Piela, A. (2016) On Reflection: Mature Students’ Views of Teaching and Learning on Access to Higher Education Courses, International Studies in Sociology of Education http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09620214.2015.1083405
  • Busher, H., James, N. and Piela, A. (2015) I always wanted to do second chance learning" Identities and Experiences of tutors on Access to HE courses, Research in Post-compulsory Education,20(2): DOI: 10.1080/13596748.2015.1030235
  • James, N. (2015) “You've got mail...!" Using email interviews to gather academics' narratives of their working lives, International Journal of Research and Method in Education, DOI:10.1080/1743727X.2015.1056136
  • James, N and Busher H. (2015) Guest editorial: Ethical issues in online research, Special Issue, Educational Research and Evaluation: An International Journal on Theory and Practice.21 (2): 89-94.
  • Busher, H. and James, N. (2015) Special Issue In pursuit of ethical research: Studying hybrid, communities using online and face-to-face communications, Educational Research and Evaluation: An International Journal on Theory and Practice, 21 (2): 168-181.
  • James, N. Busher, H., and Suttill, B. (2015) "We all know why we're here": Learning as a Community and Practice on Access to HE courses, Journal of Further and Higher Education, DOI: 10.1080/0309877X.2015.1014319
  • James, N., Busher, H., Piela, and A. Palmer, A.M. (2014) Transforming marginalized adult learners' views themselves: Access courses in England, British Journal of Sociology of Education (Special Issue), 35 (4) : 800-817
  • James, N, and Busher (2013 Special Issue) Researching hybrid learning communities in the digital age through educational ethnography, Ethnography and Education, 8. (2): 194-209
  • James, N. (2008) The use of email interviewing as a qualitative method of inquiry in educational research, British Educational Research Journal 33(6): 963-976.
  • James, N. and Busher, H. (2007) Ethical issues in online educational research: protecting privacy, establishing authenticity in email interviewing,
  • International Journal of Research & Method in Education 30(1): 101-113
  • James, N. and Busher, H. (2006) Credibility, authenticity and voice: dilemmas in online interviewing, Qualitative Research 6(3): 403-420.

Book chapters

  • James, N and Busher, H. (2021) Mature students use of free-drawn mind diagrams to express the struggles of their learning journeys: Ethics, identity and power, in A. Fox, H. Busher and C. Cartmel, (eds)Thinking Critically and Ethically about Research for Education: Engaging with Voice and Empowerment in International Contexts, London, Routledge. 
  • Busher, N. and James, N (2017) Struggling for Selfhood: Non-traditional Mature Students’ Critical Perspectives on Access to Higher Education Courses, in R.Waller (eds) Class and Higher Education, London, Routledge.
  • James, N. and Busher, H (2016) Online Interviews, D.Silverman (eds) Qualitative Research, London, Sage.
  • James, N. and Busher, H. (2012) 'Credibility, Authenticity and Voice: Dilemmas in Online Research', in C.Hine (ed) Virtual Research Methods,London: Sage Publications.
  • James, N. and Busher, H. (2012) 'Epistemological Dimensions in Qualitative Research' in J.Hughes (ed) SAGE Internet Research Methods, London Sage.
  • James, N. and Busher, H. (2012) 'The Displacement of Time and Space in Online Research' in J.Hughes (ed) SAGE Internet Research Methods, London Sage.
  • James, N. and Busher, H. (2012) Engaging with Research Participants Online' in J.Hughes (ed) SAGE Internet Research Methods, London Sage.
  • James, N. and Busher, H. (2012) 'Credibility, Authenticity and Voice: Dilemmas in Online Interviewing' in J.Hughes (ed) SAGE Internet Research Methods, London Sage.
  • Busher, H. and James, N. (2012) Qualitative interviewing in cyberspace, in S. Delamont (ed) Handbook of Qualitative Research Edward Elgar.
  • Busher, H. and James, N. (2012) The ethical framework of research practice in A. Briggs, M. Coleman, M. Morrison(eds) Research Methods in Educational Leadership and Management 3rd Edn, London: Sage.
  • Busher, H. and James, N. (2012) 'Being there.' Reconceptulisations of space, time and place for ethnographers in hybrid and virtual educational contexts' in S. Marques da Silva and P. Land (eds) Rethinking Education Ethnography: Researching Online Communities and Interactions.

Available online at:www.ethnographyandeducation.org/documents/portocall.doc

  • James, N. and Busher, H. (2012) 'Internet Interviewing', in J. Gubrium, J. Holstein, A. Marvasti and K. McKinney Marvasti (eds.) Handbook of Interview Research (2nd edn.). New York: Sage.
  • James, N. and McNeil, B. (2011) 'The Impact of Drama on Young Offenders' Learning Identities and Careers', in B. Merrill (ed.) Learning to Change? The Role of Identity and Learning Careers in Adult Education. Oxford: Peter Lang Publishing.
  • James, N. (2008) Authenticity, in L.M. Given (ed.).The Sage Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods, London: Sage Publications
  • James, N. (2007) The learning trajectories of old-timers: academic identities and communities of practice in higher education, in J. Hughes, N. Jewson and L. Unwin (eds.) Communities of Practice: Critical Perspectives. London: Routledge.

 Reports

  • James, N. and Busher, H. (2016) Employability and Learning: Access to HE Students’ Experiences, Gloucester, QAA
  • James, N. Busher, H. Piela, A, Palmer, A-M (2014) Access to Higher Education Students' Learning Transitions, Phase 2 Report, Aim Awards and British Academy.
  • James, N., Busher, H. and Suttill, B. (2012) Access to Higher Education Students Learning Transitions Phase 1 Report, University of Leicester

 Book reviews

  • James, N. (2014) Consuming Higher Education: Why Learning Can’t be Bought, Studies in the Education of Adults, 46 (11): pp 224-228.
  • James, N. (2014) Lifelong Learning and Social Justice. Work and identities in a globalised world, British Educational Research Journal, 40 (3) 581-582
  • James, N (2012) Five Ways of Doing Qualitative Analysis, British Educational Research Journal,38 (5): 883-884

 Published Conference Proceedings

  • James, N. (2016) Adult Education in Austere Times, Standing Conference for University Teachers and Researchers in the Education of Adults, 45th SCUTREA Conference 2016, Vaughan Centre for Lifelong Learning, University of Leicester, https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8CpqlADwoQldGdfVEJKMnJGNHM/view
  • Piela, A., Busher. H., James, N. and Palmer, A-M (2014) Agency and Future Life Trajectories in Accounts and Access to Higher Education students in England, I B. Kapplingter, N. Lichte, E. Haberzeth, C.Kulms (eds) Changing Configurations of Adult Education in Transitional Times. Proceedings of the ESREA Friennial Research Conference 2013. Humboldt University of Berlin: Germany ISBN: 978-3-8600-297-7
 CONFERENCE CONTRIBUTIONS
 Keynote Speaker
  • James, N. (2022) The Future of Teaching and Learning in Adult Education, UK Government Policy Event on Adult and Community Education, 27 June 2022. 
  • James, N. (2021) Reimagining Lifelong Learning in HE. How can we do it differently, European University Continuing Education Network (EUCEN) ULLL Open Fora, 22 Nov 2021. 
  • James, N. (2021) A Pedagogy of Hope for Mature Students? Adult Education in a Post-Pandemic Era. Hope, social mobility and personal emancipation: what does the future hold for mature students in English Higher Education? [online seminar], Society for Research into Higher Education, 21 January 2021. 
  • James, N. and Busher, H. (2019) The Impact of Access to HE on Hard to Reach Learners Lives, Vaughan Cooperate College Inaugural Lecturer, 6th June 2019.

Recent Conference Presentations (refereed) include: 

  • James, N. and Awesti, A. (2024) Lifelong Learning in Higher Education: Spheres of Resilience, Society for Research into Higher Education Conference, University of Nottingham, 5-7 December, 2024

  • James, N. and Awesti, A. (2024) The Lifelong Learning Entitlement: an Exciting Policy or just Another Loan, Thinking Globally and Acting Locally for Lifelong Learning, Universities Association of Lifelong Learning, 1-3 July, 2024. /SCUTREA Conference,

  • James, N. and Awesti, A. (2023) Embracing Lifelong Learning in its Broadest Sense: Does it Matter? Global Citizenship and Lifelong Learning, Universities Association of Lifelong Learning /SCUTREA Conference, 26-28 June 2023 
  •  James, N. Clancy, S., and Orr, K. (2022) A workshop on publishing a research handbook on adult learning and education: decisions and contributions, Lifelong Learning for Inclusion and Sustainability, Universities Association of Lifelong Learning 6-9 June, 2022 
  • James, N. (2021) Beyond Covid-19 and Lifelong Learning: New Pedagogic Spaces for Mature Students in Higher Education, Online Society for Research into Higher Education Conference, 6-9 December 2021. 
  • James, N and Busher, H. (2021). Using Participatory Visual Methods to Give Adults a Voice: The Ethics of Using Mind Diagrams, Online British Educational Research Conference, Symposium, 13-16 September 2021.