Equality
The Equality Act 2010 identifies nine ‘protected characteristics’, to guard those in e.g. higher education against the following forms of discrimination.
• Age
• Being or becoming a transsexual person
• Being married
or in a civil partnership
• Being pregnant or having a child
•
Disability
• Race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national
origin
• Religion, belief or lack of religion/belief
• Sex
•
Sexual orientation
Suffice to say discrimination against those studying and working in higher education can create conditions in which individuals do not realise their full potential. Institutions must also ensure that they are not open to the legal and financial ramifications of discrimination. We therefore offer services to develop understanding, build confidence and improve practice in these and related areas. Our aim is to help HEIs to deliver inclusive learning, teaching and assessment and to enhance the experience of all students. We draw on evidence from the following contexts:
• Widening access including to students with protected
characteristics or who are under-represented or disadvantaged.
•
Inclusive learning and teaching
• Student engagement and belonging
versus alienation and exclusion
• The experience of specific groups
in higher education
Relevant publications
Thomas, L. and Linley, R. (2011) Social Mobility through Higher
Education: Aligning Widening Participation and Equality. Ormskirk:
Action on Access
http://actiononaccess.org/resources/briefings
Thomas, L.
(forthcoming) Developing a curriculum for diversity: Raising awareness,
increasing understanding and changing practice, in Crook, D. and
Cunningham, B. (eds) Professional Life in Modern British Higher
Education: The death of ‘the don’? Bedford Way Papers series.
London: Institute of Education
Woodfield, R. and Thomas, L (2012)
Male students: Engagement with academic and pastoral support services.
London: Equality Challenge Unit.
http://www.ecu.ac.uk/publications/male-students-engagement-with-academic-and-pastoral-support-services/
Jones, R. (2008) Vocational learners in higher education. York:
Higher Education Academy
Thomas, L. et al (2009) Review of
Widening Participation Strategic Assessments. Ormskirk: Action on
Access.
Thomas, L. (2012) Building student engagement and
belonging at a time of change in higher education. London: Paul
Hamlyn Foundation
Relevant activity
Liz was invited to contribute to the HEFCE round table on widening
participation and diversity as part of the development of the National
Strategy on Widening Access and Student Success in 2013.
Liz has
overseen work on the retention and attainment of Black and minority
ethnic students for the Higher Education Academy.
Liz and Rob are
currently researching the participation of girls and women in Science,
Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).