Dr Andy Velarde from the Student Services Department will present findings from his research into how universities support international disabled students at a national conference for student services organisations in Manchester this month (July).

Dr Velarde conducted his research alongside project assistant Philippa Moreton, who will also be presenting, and Head of Student Support and Wellbeing Graham Gorvett. The project sought to uncover how British universities manage issues such as funding, equipment and cultural differences for international disabled students, who are not subject to the same structures as UK and EU students in the HE sector. Around 40 British universities participated in the project.

‘I had the realisation that HE is one of the main exportable services that the UK has, and I thought it would be a good idea to look at the standard of service we are providing,’ said Dr Velarde, who is the department’s International and EU Student Adviser.

Dr Velarde and Ms Moreton will present their findings in a workshop at the Association of Managers of Student Services in Higher Education’s (AMOSSHE) ‘Brave New World’ conference from 16-18 July. It is the second project the pair have worked on following last year’s research into Inclusive Learning Plans, which was published by AMOSSHE in July 2013.

The project was funded by AMOSSHE, and selected from a university sector call for project proposals.

For further information, please contact: Philippa Moreton.