Helping to close the BME attainment gap – what libraries can do [TG3/GAP]
The gap in attainment between White and Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) students is a major challenge for Higher Education. Kingston University will discuss their strategy that has endeavoured to address this sector issue and since 2011/12 has seen a year on year decrease in the BME attainment gap. University of Kent will focus on their collaborative efforts across the University to diversify the curriculum via reading lists, proving leadership by students is crucial to increase and sustain diversity. University of East London will share their two year journey to achieve the Race Equality Charter Mark, which aims to support and encourage universities to work towards race equality.
Programme:
1:00 – 1:30 Registration and tea/coffee
1:30 – 1:35 Welcome and introduction
1:35 – 2:15 Owen Beacock ( Kingston University) The BME attainment gap – an institutions approach to a sector issue.
2:15 – 2:55 Emma Mires-Richards and Sarah Field (University of Kent) – Toolkit for change: diversifying library collections
2.55 – 3.25 Tea and coffee break
3.25- 4.05 Clare Matysova (University of East London) – Progressing race equality at the University of East London
4.05 – 4.20 Question and Answer session – Panel discussion
4.20 Close
Speakers:
Owen Beacock is an ex-professional sailor turned sustainability professional with extensive experience of working internationally on environmental and social challenges. Having lived and travelled internationally over an 18-year period Owen has witnessed the stark reality of both the social inequalities present in today’s global society and the devastating environmental impact of its economic growth. Since returning to the UK in 2014, Owen has turned his attention to the social challenge of differential attainment within Higher Education, challenging traditional convention to attainment gaps and championing a metric driven approach to change management within academia.
Emma Mires-Richards is a chartered information professional, who has worked mainly in Higher Education in a variety of roles focused in supporting academic liaison and related activities. Currently employed as a Liaison Librarian supporting Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Kent.
Sarah Field has worked in Higher Education for 15 years in academic liaison and student experience. Currently employed as the Liaison Librarian supporting sciences at the University of Kent.
Emma and Sarah have been working collaboratively with academic schools, Kent Union and the Student Success Project, to develop the Diversity Mark Award at University of Kent using reading lists as a mechanism for diversifying collections and the curriculum. The work from this project received the Talis Aspire User Group Creativity Award 2019 and contributed to the THE Shortlisting for Outstanding Library Team.
Clare Matysova has been working in EDI related roles within HE for the past 12 years. Working at the University of East London for the last four years, Clare has been responsible for project managing the institution’s successful Athena SWAN and Race Equality submissions. Previously, Clare worked at the University for the Creative Arts as Disability Support Services Manager and was responsible for managing a number of cross disciplinary inclusivity and equality related projects.
Clare is also a PhD researcher focusing gender equality and exploring the impact of the UK’s shared parental leave policy from the perspective of couple’s decision-making.
Venue:
The London Mathematical Society – De Morgan House
Cost:
£90 for members
£135 for other institutions
Cancellations less than one week before the event will be charged a 50% cancellation fee. In the event of a ‘no-show’ on the day, the full fee will be charged.
*This event it now full and registration has closed.*