Brian Wren was employed as a freelance consultant in Oxfam's Youth and Education department, serving as editor of 'Bother' magazine and devising development education games including 'Gaining Ground'. In 1985, he was commissioned by Bill Yates, Education and Campaigns Coordinator, to look at 'self education', or adult education within Oxfam, and the extent to which there was harmony between the principles that Oxfam supported overseas and its structure and practices in the UK as well as to what extent these values were understood and shared by Oxfam staff and volunteers.