Edge Hill University
Cultivating belonging and increasing access to Higher Education for Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority students: Insights from a widening participation programme
The Diversity Access Programme is a widening access programme led by the Widening Access and Student Success team at Edge Hill University to provide pre-entry support for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students in Year 12/first year of college.
Research indicates that ethnically diverse students may anticipate not belonging at university before they arrive (Osbourne et al, 2021). Through a Theory of Change approach, we developed a programme that considered:
- How can we cultivate a stronger sense of belonging for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students?
- How can we increase the number of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students who come to Edge Hill?
- How can we change the perception that Edge Hill is a ‘white’ university?
The programme is currently in its fifth year of delivery, and this presentation will run through the design and redesign phases of the programme, the aims of the programme, programme content, delivery, and impact so far. We will discuss navigating the challenges associated with delivering a programme of this nature, such as advocating for groups with a lived experience different to your own and creating a culture of transparency and conversation.
– Osbourne L, Barnett J, Blackwood L. (2021) “You never feel so Black as when you’re contrasted against a White background”: Black students’ experiences at a predominantly White institution in the UK. J Community Appl Soc Psychol. 2021; 31: 383–395.
Find out more about the Widening Access and Student Success team at Edge Hill University.