18 ESCalatenews The third year Education Studies module at Liverpool Hope University, ‘Professional Practice in Education and Training,’ maximises the benefit of employer links by using small action research projects to provide a high quality work based learning experience for students. Involving Education Studies students in problem solving in organisations allows the students to gain experience in the workplace while leaving the employer with a ‘solution report’. This approach has seen a wide number of sustainable links made with organisations in public, private and the third sector, both locally and nationally. The attraction to organisations is the development of a solution to a problem using action research methodology. Early research appears to suggest Education Studies students bring a wider range of transferable skills and approaches to a problem than other subject graduates, which organisations find highly desirable. Placements are designed with employers and centred around the education and training needs of their workforce. n e w s Lynn McCann tells us about how action research projects at Liverpool Hope University give benefits to both the student and the employer. Putting the ‘Professional’ Into Practice: Using student action research projects to enhance employer engagement