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

As our six Equity Fellows put the finishing touches on their lightning talks, we are excited to announce our Guest Facilitators Matt Brett, Sally Kift, Maria Raciti, Louise Pollard, James Smith and Cathy Stone.

More information and registrations for this exciting webinar series are available on the NCSEHE website. 

EVENT PROGRAM:

Monday 26 October — Supporting students’ mental wellbeing: Mature-aged students in regional and remote Australia say teaching and learning makes such a difference! Presented by Dr Nicole Crawford, facilitated by Prof. Maria Raciti and Prof. Sally Kift

Tuesday 27 October — Pathways to allied health: Insights from Indigenous health professionals. Presented by Dr Andrea Simpson, facilitated by Prof. James Smith

Wednesday 28 October — On footprints, the university experience and why we need to listen to regional students. Presented by Dr Janine Delahunty, facilitated by Dr Cathy Stone

Thursday 29 October — Building a stronger evidence base to support effective outreach strategies for Indigenous students: Increasing impact and university participation. Presented by Dr Katelyn Barney, facilitated by Dr Nicole Crawford

Friday 30 October — Disability support in higher education: What our students are telling us. Presented by A/Prof. Tim Pitman, facilitated by Ms Louise Pollard

Friday 30 October — ‘There’s nothing inevitable about exclusion’: Choices and issues in careers support for students with disability. Presented by Mr David Eckstein, facilitated by Mr Matt Brett

Follow the event live on #NCSEHE_Snapshots

Even if you can't make it to the event, you can still enjoy a taste of the Student Equity Snapshots Forum through one of six limited edition print publications. 

Complementing each of the Equity Fellows' lightning talks, these #NCSEHE_Snapshots provide a pocket-sized overview of the 2019/20 Fellowship projects.

Order your FREE copy today!

A new NCSEHE discussion paper expands on the Centre’s submission to The 2020 Review of the Disability Standards for Education 2005.

The paper critically reviews the Standards in the following areas: institutional responses to disability; the identification of disability; curriculum development, accreditation and delivery; student support services; and harassment and victimisation.

The NCSEHE proposes 10 recommendations for strengthening the Standards, based on our research and policy work, as well as consultation with equity stakeholders.

Read the discussion paper

In a feature this month, Dr Mel Henry and Prof. Sarah O'Shea (NCSEHE, Curtin University) unpack the "Shergold Review", highlighting key opportunities and implications for equity practitioners and students.

"[The Review] offers an exciting opportunity to build a more equitable education system that values and supports students from all walks of life, and that will help to build a productive and inclusive workforce."

Read the full article

A report released in September provides direction for the higher education sector to improve postgraduate outcomes for equity group students, as higher degrees become an expectation of employment advancement.

The NCSEHE-funded study, led by Associate Professor Deanna Grant-Smith from Queensland University of Technology, indicated the need for greater research and policy attention on postgraduate students from non-traditional backgrounds.

Read the full report

Earlier in 2020, we were fortunate to welcome Dr Nicole Crawford to the NCSEHE as Senior Research Fellow. This month, we asked Nicole to share some insights into her background, her ongoing research and her visions for the future.

"At present, my work is resonating with different audiences in different contexts, and the messages—in particular, the positive ways of enhancing students’ mental wellbeing—have been welcomed. I’m keen to make sure the outcomes of my research are practical and can be implemented institution-wide to improve student equity and provide 'the best chance for all'."

Read the full interview

NCSEHE Equity Fellow Dr Janine Delahunty is conducting a project looking at how we can better support regional students as they consider, pursue and complete their university studies.

Janine is seeking the views of higher education staff in various roles as well as staff in secondary schools who provide support to senior regional students in various ways.

More information

During 2020/21, the NCSEHE will fund a project led by Dr Lucy Mercer-Mapstone at The University of Sydney, under the NCSEHE Research Grants Program.

The research aims to better understand equity students’ perspectives on university support during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as strategies undertaken by higher education institutions.

Read more about the project

The NCSEHE will partner with SPERA, Country Education Partnership, Barossa Campus, Country University Centre and EPHEA for the National Conference for Regional, Rural and Remote Education (NCRRRE). 

Submissions are now open to present at the conference, which will be held between 21–23 April 2021 in the Barossa Valley.

More information

The University of Technology Sydney Student Equity Team is one of many forced to rapidly adapt Widening Participation programs for online delivery.

In a new article for the NCSEHE, Bethany Ross reflects on what’s worked and, importantly, what hasn’t for the U@Uni Academy during this time of "Pivots and Pirouettes".

Read the full article