1 Student Diversity = Student Success Jenny Shaw

EAN Conference, Galway June Objectives  European and UK context  Main features of research  Present the case - diversity promotes success

Jenny Shaw EAN Conference, Galway June The Lisbon Strategy European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (2005) ‘ Mobilising all Europe’s brain power …will require much more diversity than hitherto with respect to target groups, teaching modes, entry and exit points, the mix of disciplines and competencies in curricula’ Communication from the Commission, 2005

Jenny Shaw EAN Conference, Galway June The Copenhagen Process ‘VET systems should, as part of flexible educational pathways, increasingly enable progression… especially from VET to higher education’ Helsinki Communiqué, Dec 2006

Jenny Shaw EAN Conference, Galway June The Bologna Process ‘Universities should modernise the content of their curricula…and open up to new types of learners, business and society at large.’ Ján Figel, 2007 ‘the student body…should reflect the diversity of our populations’ London Communiqué, May 2007

Jenny Shaw EAN Conference, Galway June And the point is…?  Student diversity is on the agenda  Easier access for those with VET qualifications  Lifelong learning Therefore:  More diverse student body  Widening Participation mainstreamed

Jenny Shaw EAN Conference, Galway June Business Case for Diversity Higher Education Academy  Identify stakeholders  Build on existing evidence  Business case model

Jenny Shaw EAN Conference, Galway June Why a Business Case?  Celebrating difference  Internal arguments for WP  Partial marketisation  Diverse sector  Organisational change

Jenny Shaw EAN Conference, Galway June Organisational Change External DriversInternal Drivers Legislation Mission Commitment: Social Justice Social Responsibility Recruitment Pool of Talent Improving T&L New markets (Access to funding)

Jenny Shaw EAN Conference, Galway June Benefits to institutions  Increased student numbers  Tapping the pool of talent  Improving teaching and learning  Access to funding  New roles and markets  Complying with legislation  Corporate social responsibility

Jenny Shaw EAN Conference, Galway June Benefits to students Quantifiable learning benefits (Gurin et al, 2002) Improved teaching ‘Younger students will then get a broader education and an idea of different cultures’ ‘if you integrate people at university level they can learn from each other’ ‘[local students] see the Uni as part of their local self’

Jenny Shaw EAN Conference, Galway June Success for all - a paradigm  Mainstreamed diversity approach  Strategic, outcomes focused  Difference is an asset  Everyone is an individual  ‘Model of plenty’  Development of potential

Jenny Shaw EAN Conference, Galway June ‘…whatever widening participation strategies are used by HEI's, they will make little progress towards social inclusion unless they can effectively challenge traditional approaches to admissions and to the conventional culture of higher education’ Woodrow, 2000

Jenny Shaw EAN Conference, Galway June The Project Team  Kevin Brain University of Bradford/Trinity & All Saints  Kath Bridger University of Bradford/Freelance  Dr Judith Foreman York St John University/ Wakefield College  Prof. Ivan Reid University of Bradford  Jenny Shaw York St John University/University of Hull

Jenny Shaw EAN Conference, Galway June Further Information Higher Education Academy: Jenny Shaw: Kath Bridger: