Investigating the Relationship Between Ethnicity and Degree Attainment Jaki Lilly, Mark Warnes, & Berenice Rivera Macías INSPIRE

Introduction HEA/ECU 2008 Report – Ethnicity, Gender and Degree Attainment Whilst the report does not locate clear causes for difference in degree attainment that can be directly linked to ethnicity and gender, it describes concerns from higher education institutions (HEIs) staff and students that ethnic minority groups are marginalised. The report recommends that HEIs develop their own research projects in this area as well as taking steps to address any issues of marginalisation. Our student population 20.2% ‘non-white’ 69.0% Female (future work – how gender interacts with ethnicity)

Aims of this Workshop To share our work-in-progress To get feedback on our Model

Existing Model HESA Classification of Ethnicity Based on UK Census 2001 Degree Attainment Used as sole measure of student achievement

Ethnicity – Our Student Population Ethnic Groupn% White Black Asian Mixed Other Total Non-White Not known450.2 Information Refused Total23695

Activity 1 In groups, please look at the handout What does this data mean? What further information do we need (and how can we get it)? What actions should we take?

Existing Model – Our Criticisms HESA Classification of Ethnicity Census classifications not fit for purpose in HE sector Anglo-centric and based on skin colour Conflates disparate groups Student Achievement Only concentrates on one outcome rather than the full range of student outcomes

Ethnicity Broad Ethnicities (Modood et al, 1997) Do not fully inform us about the ethnic identity of our students Self-description, religion, language, visits to country of origin, marriage, and choice of schools, clothes and identification with Britishness are just some of the components of ethnic identity

Ethnicity (cont.) Anglia Ruskin Student profile 23,970 Students 5 Faculties 2 UK Campuses 11 Regional Partners International partner colleges in Europe, Trinidad & Malaysia

Our Model New Classifications of Ethnicity Ethnicity cross-tabulated with Nationality Ethnicity with other dimensions… Student Achievement Full range of student outcomes

Ethnicity and Nationality Preliminary investigation revealed level of complexity Other White Background = 78 Nationalities – no common experience Black or Black British African (etc.) – no common experience Case Study: The Philippines Ethnicityn% Other White Background10.5 Other Black Background Other Asian Background Other Ethnic background199.0 Total210

Ethnicity and Other Dimensions We have cross-tabulated broad ethnicities with other dimensions Domicile Campus Refining the picture UK-based UK Nationals by Faculty Numbers of students concerned become very small

2011 Census – Classification of Ethnicity Office for National Statistics (2008) propose a suite of questions (EILR) Ethnicity (National) Identity Language Religion Moving in the right lines but still not convinced that this is fit-for- purpose in the HE context

Reason for Leaving Institution / Completing Programme Successful completion of course Academic failure / left in bad standing / not permitted to progress Transferred to another institution Health reasons Death Financial reasons Other personal reasons and dropped out Written off after lapse of time Exclusion Gone into employment Other (under review)

Phase 2 – Qualitative Research Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted (Einstein) Focus Groups Interviews Case Studies

Activity 2 Brainstorming Exercise Using the flip chart paper Suggest ways in which we can qualitatively explore ethnicity and degree attainment

Any questions?

Thank you!

References Higher Education Academy / Equality Challenge Unit, (2008), Ethnicity, Gender and Degree Attainment Project – Final Report, available at: assets/York/documents/ourwork/research/Ethnicity_Gender_Degree_Attainment_Jan08. pdf [accessed June 09, 2008] Modood T, Berthoud R, Berthoud R, Lakey J, Nazroo J, Smith P, Virdee S, & Beishon S, (1997), Ethnic Minorities in Britain: Diversity and Disadvantage, London: Policy Studies Institute Office for National Statistics, (2008), Recommended questions for the 2009 Census Rehearsal and 2011 Census: Ethnic Group, London: Office for National Statistics