The importance of economic, social and cultural capital in understanding professionalism in English Further Education: a Bourdieusian approach

ABSTRACT In this article, Bourdieu’s theory of capital is used to examine differences in the professional attitudes of staff who work in the English Further Education (FE) sector. Little empirical work has been conducted in this field despite evidence that positionality can influence how professionalism is experienced. Bourdieu distinguishes three forms of capital that can determine an actor’s social position and the attitudes and practices that flow from this: economic, cultural and social capital. By developing measures of each capital, differences in perceived professionalism are explored. A survey of 461 staff responses revealed that each capital has a net effect on professionalism. Of the three capitals, cultural capital has the largest effect, reflecting the importance staff assign to expertise and professional development. The article confirms the value of using Bourdieu to explore the factors that shape professional attitudes and includes practical implications for sector leaders and policymakers.