Erica Towner is Director of Continuing Education and a Senior Lecturer within the School of Education and Lifelong Learning with responsibility for teaching developments and the continuing education programme. She has experience of teaching science in secondary schools, the FE sector as well as many years in higher education. Her research interests in lifelong learning include widening participation to higher education, adult community education and environmental education. She also works extensively with FECs on the development and evaluation of Foundation Degree programmes.