1. INITIATING THE CONVERSATION CLOSING THE GAP: RESEARCH AND PRACTICE ON BLACK AND MINORITY ETHNIC STUDENT ATTAINMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION, KENT UNIVERSITY, 27 TH JUNE 2016. Professor Gai Murphy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience) Pradeep Passi – Director of Academic Development, College of Business, Law and Applied Social Studies Anjum Anwar – Research consultant/ Teacher

2. UCLAN CONTEXT  Main campus – Preston, Lancashire, North West England  Circa 30,000 students across a broad range of disciplines  UCLan has had an interest in narrowing the attainment gap for a number of years

3. ETHNICITY AT UCLAN

4. THE ETHNICITY ATTAINMENT DIFFERENTIAL AT UCLAN

5. THE ETHNICITY PROGRESSION DIFFERENTIAL

6. THE DATA… Although the ethnicity attainment differential is narrowing there is more work to do – 16% to 9.7% in 2014/15 Attainment differential varies between Schools ranging from -4.2 through to 26% in 2014/15 Range of interventions over the years…further research to understand cause and effect

7. SECTOR CONTEXT ‘Improving the Degree Attainment of Black and Minority Ethnic Students’ (ECU, 2011). Recommends considering the following factors  Structural  Organisational  Cultural  Financial  Contextual Our project plays to the cultural aspects, but will also have implications for structure and organisation

8. THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE…INITIATING CONVERSATIONS Current project initiated from a wider piece of work I undertook To ‘feel and experience’ the student experience Interested in student engagement in the classroom In some sessions observed that BME students seemed to be less engaged than white counterparts  How was this impacting on attainment/experience for those students?  Could there be any cultural underpinning to less engagement with lectures/tutorials for some students  Were my observations reflective of what was happening across the institution? Reflecting on those observations that sparked a wider piece of observational/conversational piece of research….commissioned by PVC

9. BEING ‘THE STUDENT’…CLASS ROOM OBSERVATIONS…AND QUOTES FROM UCLAN STUDENTS Some highlighted from Classroom Observations Smaller groups had better engagement Autonomy-supporting teaching engaged the ‘quiet’ students Seating arrangements are both a hindrance and the solution to class room discussion/engagement Over dependence on ‘technology’ is hindering classroom engagement Some quotes from UCLAN Students “I came to UCLAN because my sister came here.” “UCLAN has a diverse student population so I knew I will would find friends.” “I wanted to study Sports and UCLAN provided me the best opportunity to study my subject matter.” “UCLAN was the right choice for me as I wanted to live at home.”

10. THE CONVERSATIONS…. Parents: “We want a better future for our child and education is the best way.” External Student: “More information before choosing A Levels.” Uclan Tutors: “Better understanding of the needs of BME student within the academic circles.” External Tutors: “Curriculum is Euro-centric and does not acknowledge the contribution of other civilizations making class room contribution from BME students difficult at times.” Withdrawn student: “Wrong course, didn’t enjoy it – may be better information at school/college may have been of help – just wasn’t interested in the chosen course.”

11. SO WHAT! – WHAT NOW? Still at very early stages….Further conversations are needed!! ECU research project White Working Class 14-16 year olds who have become disaffected with ‘schooling.’  What are their barriers, influencers that may be an obstacle in their attitudes to HE  How can we work with such young people to create a positive attitudes towards HE – Hugh Baird College Working with 20 young Muslim students in a mosque environment over a period of 2 years  What do they wish to be, want to study in the future, what is that one wish…  What are the factors that would influence better critical thinking/engagement?  What are the barriers, who are the influencers that shape attitudes to HE?  How can we move forward Engaging and ‘initiating the conversations’ with:  Parents  Influencers – who/who guides students’ attitudes/approaches and choices to HE  Engaging with the community to create a better understanding about HE  Employers

12. THANK YOU Pradeep Passi ppassi@uclan.ac.uk Anjum Anwar aanwar14@uclan.ac.uk