NEWS, INFORMATION, RESEARCH AND RESOURCES ON STUDENT EQUITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION

You’re invited to join us for an exciting series of lightning talks and online discussions presented by the 2019/20 NCSEHE Equity Fellows on 26–30 October 2020.

The six Fellows have undertaken major year-long projects focusing on regional and remote students, students with disability, mature age students, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Participants at this year’s Forum will enjoy unique snapshots on student equity, delivered by the six Fellows over the course of the week.

More information on the Student Equity Snapshots Forum

In a new feature article for the NCSEHE, Professor Maria Raciti, Joshua Dale and Dr Aaron Tham (USC) highlight a potential dilemma facing disadvantaged students as campuses begin to reopen.

The authors raise the question, do low SES students persist with online learning despite inadequate digital resources or do they return to campus and risk heightened exposure to COVID-19 on public transport?

Read the full article

During 2018/19, the NCSEHE supported Professor Maria Raciti to conduct a Research Fellowship project examining the relationships between perceived risk and university participation for low socioeconomic status (SES) students.

A year on, Maria reflects upon the impact of her Fellowship, as a vital resource for the student equity sector, and as the catalyst for personal and professional transformation.

"The release of the final report did not mark the end of the Fellowship but rather was the launching pad for my Fellowship’s ‘second act’ — to provoke new thinking, to fuel real change and to generate impact."

Read Maria's post-Fellowship impact bulletin

Throughout 2020, Dr Janine Delahunty is conducting an Equity Fellowship project exploring how regional people navigate into and through higher education.

Now midway through her project, Janine updates us on her progress and shares preliminary findings from student surveys and interviews.

Janine is currently seeking undergraduate regional students and higher education staff who support regional students to take part in the research.

Read Janine's progress bulletin and find out how to get involved

Producing the Annual Report is always a wonderful opportunity to reflect upon the year's achievements, and to inspire future directions for Centre activities.

The NCSEHE 2019 Annual Report summarises another productive year for the Centre, connecting student equity policy, research and practice.

During 2019, the Centre managed and led research projects; provided leadership and commentary across the nation; provided universal access to student equity data; and continued to connect and engage with stakeholders through events and media communications.

Read the NCSEHE 2019 Annual Report

NCSEHE Equity Fellows Associate Professor Tim Pitman and Mr David Eckstein are currently seeking survey respondents for their 2020 projects on supporting students with disabilities to succeed in and after higher education.

They want to hear from students with disability as well as staff working in higher education institutions, regardless of whether or not their job role involves supporting students with disability.

Students completing the student survey will be eligible for entry into a prize draw. There will be 10 winners, each receiving a $100 Amazon gift voucher.

More information and surveys

In a new feature article, Sarah Lambert (Deakin University) discusses open textbooks, diversifying content, and her NCSEHE-funded research project.

Many students are facing additional financial pressures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and accessing study materials can be costly, as Sarah points out.

"Now is a great time to get into the world of open textbooks and open access resources to help students succeed with their studies now — and into the future."

Read the full article

There's still time to register for the NCSEHE webinar on Wednesday 10 June, presented by Kylie Austin and Meg Smith from the University of Wollongong (UOW).

Kylie and Meg will discuss how UOW’s Widening Participation and Outreach team has shifted its program to a remote delivery mode. The presentation will include feedback from university mentors and students engaging in the program.

More information and registrations

On 7 May, the NCSEHE hosted a webinar with Flinders University's Associate Professor Lydia Woodyatt on Five meaningful minutes: Small changes to support psychological needs, wellbeing and motivation online in 2020.

The webinar recording and slides are now available online.

View the webinar recording and slides

Our team of student vloggers have been checking in regularly over the last month, chatting about topics including online study and exams, remedies for stress and laziness, advice for Year 12 students, using assistive technology, and Star Wars Day!

We also welcome Ana Larsen to the team this month. Ana shares her experiences of juggling work as a sessional tutor and studying a Masters degree online, while managing a chronic disease and financial pressures during this global crisis.

Watch the latest videos in the Vlogging the "new normal" series

Applications for this year's NCSEHE Research Grants Program close on Friday 12 June. 

We invite proposals from high-quality researchers and equity practitioners to conduct policy-relevant research aimed at supporting and informing student equity in higher education.

In light of the COVID-19 situation, the NCSEHE particularly welcomes projects that address the key research themes, with specific reference to potential inequities that the pandemic has foregrounded in recent months.

More details and applications

Our COVID-19 — Resources for the higher education sector webpage has been regularly updated throughout the past month. 

The page provides a diverse collection of materials applicable to current issues in learning and teaching, including open access research, resources, articles, case studies and useful links from the NCSEHE and externally. 

If you would like to contribute a link to this page, please contact ncsehe@curtin.edu.au.

COVID-19 — Resources for the higher education sector

The final report from the Australian Research Council Discovery project, Vocational institutions: Undergraduate degrees was published in May. 

NCSEHE Adjunct Fellow Dr Lynette Vernon (Edith Cowan University) supported the three-year project as a member of the Reference Committee.

Investigators and key collaborators for the Monash University-led project reflect on the final report through a series of videos on the project website. The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) are also hosting a free webinar about the project on 11 June, presented by the Chief Investigators.