Ethnicity Awarding Gap Project – co-creation and action research; a means of understanding the student experience of underrepresented students

Abstract

Reducing awarding gaps is part of the Faculty Student Experience strategy which aims to maintain an inclusive community environment. At the time this project was conceptualised, the ethnicity awarding gap in the faculty between students from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and their white counterparts was 11.2% at the level of 1St class degrees and 3.4% when 2:1 and 1st class degrees were combined. The Ethnicity Awarding Gap project was developed to understand the student experience of this group of students and investigate structural factors that may be contributing to the awarding gap. 10 student researchers were hired to participate in this student-staff action research project to lead focus groups. These focus groups revealed student opinion on community, belonging, teaching, and learning. Other themes included comfortability accessing support, navigating the hidden curriculum, university preparedness and capital in its various forms. The researchers analysed this data and produced 6 research project outlines and actionable recommendations. Through the procurement of funding, liaison with key stakeholders and continued student consultation these projects and recommendations will be established across the faculty in the hope to transform experiences and graduating awards for students
from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.