The Back Story

There has been considerable work carried out in universities across the UK to gain a better understanding of differences in the student experience. These focus in particular on students’ learner characteristics and background, including age, ethnicity and socio-economic status. The University of Kent is clear that it has a responsibility to explore this issue in terms of its own activities and practice. Given our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusivity (EDI), it is crucial that we improve our understanding of the issues that affect student success and that we have effective measures in place to ensure that all Kent students are given every opportunity to fulfil their academic potential.

The Student Success (EDI) Project is a two year project, overseen by David Nightingale (Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor) and led by John Wightman (Dean of Social Sciences) involving 9 pilot schools and 6 one year pilot schools. The Project is investigating student success differentials, developing initiatives aimed at closing success rate gaps. These initiatives will be evaluated, with best practice shared across the University. We are also undertaking substantial research with students and academics; this will continue in tandem with the pilot school work.

Central Research

The research strand of the project is led by two members of staff in the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research: Dr Lavinia Mitton and Dr Alex Hensby. A number of key research themes have emerged which act as a steer for the work in the pilot schools: relationships with Academic Advisers, signposting to student support services, student aspiration and expectation, academic skills and preparedness for university, and social adjustment. A number of case studies will take place in the Autumn and Spring terms to examine experiences for clearing and BTEC students, skills differentials for non-UK born students and assessment feedback differences. These will involve interviews with staff and students, focus groups and an analysis of feedback assessment forms.

Research findings are incorporated into pilot school work as they emerge and Project Officers also monitor activities and collate project delivery data, which creates a powerful exchange between the academic research and work on the ground.

Please contact Alex or Lavinia if you have any queries regarding the EDI research strand: a.r.hensby@kent.ac.uk or l.mitton@kent.ac.uk. 

Central Events

Staff Seminar – the Student Success (EDI) Staff Seminar took place on 16 November 2015. Delegates heard presentations from John Wightman (Dean of Social Sciences), Dr. Alex Hensby (Project Research Associate), Prof. Sarah Spurgeon OBE (EDA Head of School) and Anita Jackson (Director of Planning and Student Information). Pilot schools presented posters outlining their work and progress. More information, including a copy of presentations,  can be found on the website at: https://www.kent.ac.uk/studentsuccess/staff-only/index.html

Summer Conference – The project will host a national conference on Monday 27 June 2016. Keynote speakers:

• Professor Kalwant Bhopal, Professor of Education and Social Justice at University of Southampton
• Professor Leon Tikly, Professor in Education at University of Bristol
• Les Ebdon, Director of Office for Fair Access (OFFA)

Further details about the conference are on the Project website:

http://www.kent.ac.uk/studentsuccess/2016-conference.html

Future Planning

Throughout the current academic year, we are continuing our research into performance gaps and analysing the emerging evidence from pilot schools on what works – and what doesn’t work – in reducing these gaps. We will use the findings from this year to plan future roll out of initiatives to schools and departments across the University.

If you would like the Project Team to provide further information to your school/department staff, please contact Jan Moriarty (Project Manager) at: j.moriarty@kent.ac.uk or on 01227 816194.

• The six one year pilot schools are: School of Arts, School of Politics and International Relations, School of Physical Sciences, School of Anthropology and Conservation, School of Computing and School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research. The School of Sports and Exercise Sciences is conducting additional research exploring student motivation and psychological needs.
• During the 2015/16 academic year, 15 schools will be collecting attainment data and developing initiatives to promote student success. The schools work collaboratively to share good practice and to design joint interventions.
• We continue to work with SLAS to implement established programmes such as Peer Mentoring, tailored to EDI target groups. We are also working with Kent Union and the staff and student EDI teams.

The university success rate dataset is currently being updated to include the latest cohort who finished their first degree (2012), please contact Sharon Smith if you wish to see a copy of this: s.a.smith@kent.ac.uk.

University of Kent was one of the case studies in this year’s HEFCE report ‘Causes of Differences in Student Outcomes’. A copy of the report can be found on the HEFCE website or on our own website: https://www.kent.ac.uk/studentsuccess/staff-only/index.html

The Project website also holds a range of information, as well as links to the school projects and the conference site.

Please contact Jan Moriarty (Project Manager) if you have any questions about the project, or you would like to discuss how we can support attainment in your school: j.moriarty@kent.ac.uk