National Education Opportunities Network

The National Education Opportunities Network (NEON), founded in 2012, is the professional membership organisation supporting those involved in the widening access of traditionally underrepresented groups to higher education (HE) in the UK. NEON enables those working to widen access to HE at all levels and in all sectors to affect change in their own organisations and communities. More information on NEON’s work can be found here. NEON has four objectives:

• Development: To increase the professionalisation of widening access work through the development and accreditation of practice
• Research/Advocacy: To be a research and advocacy resource for those working in access at the local, regional and national level
• Quality: To develop and enhance practice and quality in widening access work
• Support: To offer input and support to policy-makers and government from the widening access community.

We have 157 organisational members made up of higher education institutions (HEIs), FE colleges (FECs) and third sector organisations.

In 2021 NEON became part of the University of West London (UWL). UWL has a heritage of over 150 years in teaching and professional education. It plays a significant role in the educational, cultural and economic life of its region and is a standard bearer for the benefits of widening participation and social mobility. It has a vibrant research community that produces research that will enhance the local, regional, national and international communities which it serves. UWL has nationally, internationally, recognised applied research in education and social mobility supported by research centres such as the Centre for Levelling Up.

In 2022 NEON gained charitable status. We continue to be based at the University of West London.