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

The NCSEHE launched a new webpage today that will allow users to download and graph data on undergraduate equity student participation and performance in Australia.

The “National Data” page builds upon the format of the existing “Institutional Data” page and the NCSEHE’s annual Briefing Note.

Users can quickly source equity participation data and view trends over recent years for individual institutions, while also comparing trends in key indicators across universities.

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It is with great pleasure that we welcome our new Senior Research Fellow, Dr Nicole Crawford!

Nicole joins us from the University of Tasmania where she has worked in Pre-degree Programs for nearly a decade. Nicole has established herself as a leader in the area of student equity, having conducted a NCSEHE Equity Fellowship throughout 2019/20 on supporting the mental wellbeing of mature-aged students from regional and remote Australia.

Within the role, Nicole will lead research teams and major projects informing policy, research and practice to improve higher education outcomes for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

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We're excited to introduce two new students to the NCSEHE video blogging team, Takura Matenga and Farhia Mwechiwa.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCSEHE has invited individuals from a variety of backgrounds to share their personal experiences, including study, work, mentoring and family life.

The first in her family to go to university, Takura is determined to show her younger siblings that tertiary education is possible, particularly for other Pacific Islanders.

Takura works as a Student Ambassador and a member of the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Explore Uni team, alongside study and a busy family life.

Watch Takura's video blog

One of 11 children, Farhia is the first to attend university, currently studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at QUT.

Farhia’s biggest struggle with the transition to online learning has been finding a study space at home, to get the most out of the course content while managing her domestic responsibilities.

Watch Farhia's video blog

On 19 June, the Minister for Education announced the Job-Ready Graduates Package of higher education reforms. The Package aims to address anticipated increased demand from school leavers, and the need to upskill/reskill workers who have lost jobs due to COVID-19.

There’s a lot to digest, so here’s a quick run-down of the key reforms applicable to student equity.

Continue reading this feature article by Dr Mel Henry

During 2020, Dr Katelyn Barney is conducting a NCSEHE Equity Fellowship focusing on building a stronger evidence base to support effective outreach strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

In her June bulletin, Katelyn provides a summary of her progress and introduces plans for a National Symposium to be held on 23 November to disseminate project outcomes and results to key stakeholders and the Advisory Group.

Read Katelyn's Equity Fellowship bulletin

On Thursday 23 July, the NCSEHE will host an online panel discussion with Professor James Smith (Menzies School of Health Research), Dr Bep Uink (Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre, Murdoch University) and Professor Daphne C. Watkins (University of Michigan).

The panel will unpack some of the current issues and challenges facing students of colour and present strategies to promote and strengthen students' mental health, and broader social and emotional wellbeing.

This discussion will draw upon emerging evidence from research and programs in Australia and the United States and will be of interest to equity practitioners; Indigenous support units; researchers with an interest in equity in higher education; and university teaching staff.

More information and registration

The NCSEHE hosted a webinar on Wednesday 10 June, presented by Kylie Austin and Meg Smith from the University of Wollongong (UOW).

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

View the webinar recording, slides and transcript

A post-webinar discussion, hosted by NCSEHE Director Sarah O'Shea, is now available to view online. Kylie Austin addresses more of the questions presented during the webinar and we invite Dr Cathy Stone to expand upon the application of her National guidelines for improving student outcomes in online learning.

In light of current events, we have extended the deadline for NCSEHE Higher Degree by Research (HDR) scholarship applications until 10 July 2020.

This is a three-year scholarship which pays a cash stipend of A$27,500 (non-taxable). Given our equity agenda we would welcome applicants from more diverse backgrounds who may have taken more circuitous routes through higher education due to financial, employment or caring responsibilities.

More information and applications

The UNSW Gonski Institute for Education has launched a new Higher Education Equity Literature Database.

Led by Senior Lecturer Dr Sally Baker, the database brings together a large and inclusive collection of commentary and annotations on topics related to access and participation in higher education. The resource is designed to empower equity practitioners, academics and universities to improve teaching and learning outcomes and the student experience for all students.

The database can be accessed here, and selected items are available on the NCSEHE website.