Edge Hill University

Applying Sen’s Capability Approach to understand and improve the experience of widening participation learners 

Sen’s Capability Approach offers a useful philosophical and practical lens to understand the valued outcomes of learners and the barriers to the learner’s choice and achievement of these outcomes. Importantly, this Approach highlights the agency and flourishing of learners.

The presentation will discuss the theory  and recent research by the author that has had a focus on  widening participation learners in medical education.

Vivekananda-Schmidt P, Sandars J, Husain L, Leadbetter P, Marshall M. Effectively supporting widening participation learners in medical education through a capability approach lens. International Journal of Medical Education. 2024;15:110.


Sandars J, Sarojini Hart C. The capability approach for medical education: AMEE Guide No. 97. Medical Teacher. 2015; 37(6):510-20

Professor John Sandars’ Edge Hill University staff page