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

A new NCSEHE webpage compiles essential resources to support effective higher education delivery during, and beyond, the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the COVID-19 situation unfolds worldwide, the majority of students have found themselves in a position of “disadvantage” — academically, logistically, financially, and/or personally. Research, resources and supports originally targeting equity students are rapidly becoming universally applicable.

The new webpage provides easy access to existing materials (both NCSEHE and other) that are applicable to emerging issues in university learning and teaching in this COVID-19 era. 

Access the full resource.

The higher education sector is undergoing radical change which is posing unprecedented challenges, particularly for disadvantaged students and those who support them.

Through a new vlogging series, the NCSEHE has invited individuals from a variety of backgrounds to share their ongoing experiences of moving from on-campus study to finding their feet in a new—and often unfamiliar—environment.

Over the coming months, this diverse group will invite us into their lives to share their challenges and celebrate their triumphs during, and beyond, the COVID-19 pandemic.

Continue reading and view the first five clips of the series.

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

While proposals may focus on any relevant topic, the Advisory Committee has identified seven research priority areas for the 2020 funding round. In light of the COVID-19 situation, the NCSEHE particularly welcomes projects that address those areas, with specific reference to potential inequities that COVID-19 has foregrounded in recent months.

Proposals must be submitted by Friday 12 June 2020.

More information and submission instructions.

On Thursday 7 May, the NCSEHE will host a webinar presented by Associate Professor Lydia Woodyatt, award winning lecturer at Flinders University.

In this session, Lydia will explore what we can do with "five meaningful minutes" online to support wellbeing, based on the psychological needs of students. Lydia will discuss how small five-minute changes in teaching practice can sometimes make big impacts on student learning, wellbeing, and motivation.

Register for Five meaningful minutes: Small changes to support psychological needs, wellbeing and motivation online in 2020.

In April, the Australian Government commissioned five reports to examine the potential impact of remote learning from home on educational outcomes for vulnerable cohorts of children. The NCSEHE contributed a summary literature review by Dr Catherine Drane, Dr Lynette Vernon and Professor Sarah O'Shea.

"This review provides an overview of current approaches to managing school closures as well as recent literature related to young people learning 'outside of school'. A range of material has been drawn upon to both highlight the educational issues of this learning context, as well as the psychosocial and emotional repercussions."

Read the full report.

On 7 April, the NCSEHE and the Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET) hosted Dr Nicole Crawford and Dr Cathy Stone for a webinar, attracting around 400 participants.

This webinar discussed preliminary findings from research into supporting the mental wellbeing of mature-aged students in regional and remote Australia through ensuring that—in this time of physical distancing—online learning is delivered in ways that enhance student engagement and student wellbeing.

View the webinar recording and presentation slides.

We teamed up with ADCET in April to present a podcast with Mary Kelly AM, interviewed by NCSEHE Adjunct Fellow Matt Brett.

Mary reflected on more than 20 years as Equity Director at Queensland University of Technology and as an enduring champion for equity and social justice.

Listen to the full interview — the first in a new ADCET series.

Throughout 2020, Dr Andrea Simpson is investigating pathways to higher degree allied health coursework programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Andrea is one of six 2019/20 NCSEHE Equity Fellows conducting targeted research projects to advance student equity research, policy and practice. 

Now almost halfway through the project, Andrea provides an overview of the research and her progress so far. The final report is scheduled for release early in 2021.

Read Andrea's April bulletin.

In 2019, the NCSEHE commissioned four large-scale projects to improve access to information about higher education study options, pathways and careers for disadvantaged students and those who influence them.

Professor Dawn Bennett and Dr Jane Coffey (Curtin University) now share an update on their research to understand and improve low SES students’ access to, and the efficacy of, information about higher education study options, pathways and careers.

Read the April project update. 

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Professor Dennis McDermott, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) at La Trobe University.

A Koori man from north-western New South Wales (Gomeroi country), with connections to Gadigal country (inner Sydney), Dennis was a passionate scholar of Indigenous health and education, and a leading advocate of decolonising the academy.

Dennis was also a chief investigator on the NCSEHE-funded project, Higher education aspirations, participation and achievement of Australian Indigenous males, led by Professor James Smith and Mr Jesse Fleay. The team has agreed to dedicate the final report to Dennis and to continue his important work across the sector.

La Trobe University’s dedication can be found here.