The money will be used to fund research into social learning in communities that grow up around user-generated content (UGC) websites, such as BBC Blast, where online content is produced by ordinary people rather than media professionals.

The project, entitled ‘Alone Together – Learning in Online Communities’, will investigate who is posting UGC and what motivates them; whether UGC sites, particularly BBC Blast, effectively engage users and inspire creative learning; and how such sites can be developed to build on this.

Professor McFarlane said: ‘The grant is particularly noteworthy, as the AHRC does not normally provide funding in the field of education. It is an excellent opportunity to work with one of the premier providers of online services to research the potential for learning around the production and sharing of creative content.’