Linda Evans is Professor of Education at the University of Manchester, UK, and previously held professorial positions at the University of Leeds, UK, and the University of Warwick, UK.Ian Abbott is Associate Tutor and formerly Director of the Centre for Educational Studies at the University of Warwick, UK. He has worked extensively with schools and colleges and has wide experience of teacher education and CPD.

• Part I Background: teaching and learning in higher education - the context; the research. Part II The student perspective: the knowledge; getting involved; meeting students' needs - a framework for course design and delivery. Part III The tutor perspective: tutors' work; chasing the ideal; tutors as teachers; meeting tutors' job fulfilment needs. Part IV Policy implications: compromising policy.