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

Micro-surveys of school student attitudes have shown creative, careers-focused learning programs build aspirations and confidence in science and mathematics.

The University of South Australia research, led by A/Prof. Simon Leonard and Dr JohnPaul Kennedy and funded by the NCSEHE, employed an innovative research method to measure the various impacts of university outreach programs. 

Read the full report

Jonathan was streamed out of ATAR at school, deemed as “not good enough” to go to university. 

Despite this discouraging start, and after 10 years of study, Jonathan has recently completed his doctoral studies in psychology. Examiners marked his thesis as being within the top 10 per cent of PhD student theses they had marked within their areas of expertise.

Jonathon reflects on his journey of perseverance and determination, supported by university enabling programs and a dedicated group of practitioners and educators who recognised Jonathan’s great potential.

Continue reading Jonathan's story

The Centre hosted a webinar on 27 August, drawing on NCSEHE-funded research to improve support for equity students moving into, through and beyond STEM degrees.

Researchers from the University of South Australia, the Mitchell Institute at Victoria University, and the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) presented fresh insights to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds realise their potential through STEM pathways.

View the webinar recording, slides and transcript 

A new Student Success article by NCSEHE Fellows Prof. Sally Kift, Dr Nadine Zacharias and Dr Matt Brett, contextualises the NCSEHE-led Best Chance For All policy statement within the current educational climate.

The article highlights the role of COVID-19 in exacerbating issues that the Best Chance For All sought to address, and increasing demands on, and of, tertiary education.

Read the open access article

Two NCSEHE-funded research teams will speak at the international OECD Conference in October, showcasing major projects conducted under the NCSEHE Competitive Grants Program. 

The researchers from Bond University, Curtin University/NCSEHE, University of Wollongong, Australian Catholic University and University of Canberra will present: 

• Do all Australian students have access to quality career and study information?
• Best practice career education for middle-school students from low socioeconomic backgrounds: Two case studies

The 2021 OECD Conference will highlight innovative research and practice, with a focus on what schools can do to prepare young people for their transitions through education into ultimate employment.

Read this week's blog from the research teams

NCSEHE Equity Fellow Dr Katelyn Barney was invited to deliver a seminar on 26 August as part of the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE) Data Insights at DESE series.

Katelyn presented findings and recommendations from her 2020 project and introduced a new set of resources for student equity outreach staff, including video clips and a podcast series.

View the full recording

A new World Access to Higher Education Day (WAHED) publication will be launched at an online event on 24 September. 

This publication is a collection of 17 articles drawn from last year's WAHED 24 event. Contributors included NCSEHE researchers as well as university leaders, national policymakers, leaders of global education bodies and those working on initiatives to make access/success in higher education more equitable in every continent of the world.

More information and registration

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