Embracing diversity in higher education

Deconstructing equity, diversity and inclusion, part two: how to support diversity at every level of higher education, from student admissions and curriculum development to academic tenure and promotion

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Find insight on how universities can enhance and celebrate diversity through their students, their course design and their academic and support staff. Learn what diversity policies need to be put in place to ensure entry into and successful paths through higher education for students and staff from non-traditional and minority groups. From writing diversity statements to decolonising curricula and navigating the academic career ladder, gather tips from higher education professionals all over the world.

Rekindling passion for equality, diversity and inclusion work

Equality, diversity and inclusion work is too often dogged by scepticism and dismissed as a tick-box exercise. So how can institutional leaders rekindle enthusiasm and belief in the work? Rajani Naidoo shares her top recommendations

Rajani Naidoo

University of Bath

Diversifying pathways into HE

Mature students and other non-traditional students are often overlooked by university recruitment teams

How to attract and support non-traditional students in higher education

Hurdles and obstacles are created from the outset and then vice-chancellors wonder why their student population is not diverse, says Dilshad Sheikh

Dilshad Sheikh

Arden University

University admissions policies could be hold back diversity efforts for students wanting to study STEM subjects

Are STEM admissions processes hindering our diversity efforts?

The requirement for potential STEM students to have studied traditionally related subjects such as maths and physics seems outdated and unnecessary, says Judy Raper

Judy Raper

TEDI-London

Students need effective information, advice and guidance to make informed post-18 decisions

Targeted advice and guidance is crucial for widening participation

Especially post-Covid, pupils need a strong foundation that prepares them for future post-18 decisions

Billy Huband-Thompson

Centre for Education and Youth

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Diversity statements: what to avoid and what to include

Diversity statements are increasingly important for faculty, both when teaching online and applying for jobs. Pardis Mahdavi and Scott Brooks outline what to avoid and what to include when drafting a diversity statement

Pardis Mahdavi, Scott Brooks

Arizona State University

Diversity statements: the good, the bad and the ugly

Diversity statements can be created with good intentions but still manage to perpetuate inequality. Henrika McCoy and Madeline Lee detail what to look out for and suggested action

Henrika McCoy, Madeline Lee

University of Illinois Chicago, California State University San Marcos

Breaking down barriers in the academy

Advice for black and minority ethnic academics who are trying to make their way on the higher education career ladder

Fool’s gold: career advice for young, Black academics

Freshly minted professor Jason Arday provides tips for aspiring Black and ethnic minority academics on how to safeguard themselves on the hazardous journey to the top

Jason Arday

University of Glasgow

Advice on institutional action to advance racial equity among students and staff

Moving beyond statements of commitment to taking action on race equality

Tips for universities to examine their practices to ensure racial equity is embedded across institutional structures, by Shames Maskeen and Malcolm Todd

Shames Maskeen, Malcolm Todd

Leeds Trinity University

Meritocracy in higher education is not fit for purpose with minorities of all stripes finding an unsafe environment

Meritocracy in the academy isn’t fit for purpose – but we can fix it

Institutions need to think about who they’re picking and foster both literacy and competence around minority issues as the first steps to a true meritocracy

rashné limki

The University of Edinburgh

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This model is the future of diversity in higher education

Coming together for support is the only way forward – and the Council of Coalitions is the model for inter-group organising we desperately need, says Pardis Mahdavi

Pardis Mahdavi

Arizona State University

Leaks and holes: beyond the pipeline versus process debate on diversity

A pipeline does exist in higher ed, but process and structural violence in education writ large keep puncturing the pipe, says Pardis Mahdavi

Pardis Mahdavi

Arizona State University

Working towards a gender balance

Advice on steps universities should take to ensure pandemic doesn't result in a long-term reversal of gender equality work

Urgent steps to prevent the pandemic stalling women’s academic careers

The pandemic put a disproportionate strain on female academics, research suggests, so now universities need to take robust action to ensure these women do not lose out in tenure and promotion decisions, reducing future diversity

Adrian Daub, Alison Dahl Crossley

Stanford University

Advice on supporting Black women to progress in academic careers

Hidden in plain sight: spotlighting invisible Black female academics

Jummy Okoya outlines actions higher education institutions should take to encourage more Black women into academia and support their career progression

Jummy Okoya

University of East London

Universities and society at large must promote female involvement and achievements in STEM

Boosting female representation in STEM is crucial to global innovation

Addressing the gender disparity in STEM isn’t just a question of striving for a fairer society, it’s also fundamental to solving the complex challenges that affect us all

Jennifer Tour Chayes

University of California, Berkeley

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Decolonising the curriculum – how do I get started?

Rowena Arshad provides pointers for any teaching academics considering how to get started on decolonising their curriculum

Rowena Arshad

The University of Edinburgh

Decolonising medicine, part one: taking the first steps

Decolonisation should not be limited to arts and social sciences, but many struggle with how to apply it across STEM disciplines. In her first resource, Musarrat Maisha Reza shares advice on effective approaches to decolonising medicine

Musarrat Maisha Reza

University of Exeter

Embedding diversity into teaching

Promoting community and inclusivity to dispersed and diverse students through your online teaching

Promoting community and inclusiveness to diverse and dispersed students

Three psychology lecturers share insight into how to create inclusive learning communities and courses that work for dispersed and diverse students

Chiara Horlin, Emily Nordmann, Heather Cleland-Woods

University of Glasgow

Advice on supporting academics to engage with equity and diversity issues as part of their teaching

Making space for academic colleagues to think about race as part of pedagogy

Kevin Brazant shares tips on how to use digital content creation to deconstruct themes of equality, diversity and inclusion with colleagues and inform their learning and teaching practice

Kevin Brazant

London Metropolitan University

Insight on where disruptive innovation needs to be welcomed into university classrooms to improve higher education for more students

Disruptive innovation in the classroom: making higher education more accessible to a large population

Elizabeth Langran outlines three areas of university teaching where disruptive innovation should be actively encouraged to boost accessibility and engagement for wider student populations

Elizabeth Langran

Marymount University

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Where are the leaders with a disability in higher education?

While support is available for people with a disability in universities, this is not translating to senior leadership positions – to the detriment of individuals and the sector as a whole, say Paul Harpur and Brooke Szücs

Paul Harpur, Brooke Szücs

The University of Queensland

Overcoming barriers to accessible and inclusive digital learning

Tim Coughlan offers three key strategies that help to make digital learning more accessible and inclusive, each relating to technology, study support and pedagogy

Tim Coughlan

The Open University