Closing the gap: research and practice on Black and
Minority Ethnic student attainment in Higher Education
University of Kent, Canterbury UK
Call for papers
Deadline: 7th March 2016
This one-day conference brings together academic researchers, policymakers and
practitioners on the issue of race and ethnicity in higher education, and how we can inspire,
support and share excellent practice in closing the attainment gap between white and Black
& Minority Ethnic (BME) students.
Research has shown that BME undergraduates are less likely to convert their entry
qualifications into a ‘good’ degree across the higher education sector. With this issue rapidly
moving up the policy agenda, universities are tasked with finding new and innovative ways of
closing the gap. Not only does this require gaining a better understanding of the experiences
and needs of BME students, it also involves critically evaluating institutional culture including
the role of equal opportunities strategies. This conference provides a great opportunity for
academics and practitioners currently engaged with these issues to share their research,
insights and initiatives, and make a significant contribution to the debate.
Keynote speakers
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Professor Leon Tikly, University of Bristol
Professor Kalwant Bhopal, University of Southampton
Professor Les Ebdon, Director of Office for Fair Access (OFFA)
Conference themes
Each of the conference themes focuses on aspects of our practice which support the
attainment and success of BME students. In particular, the conference welcomes
contributions that address the following questions:
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How might class, language, family background and prior schooling affect BME
students’ performance in HE?
What impact does ethnicity have on students’ choice of HEI and academic course?
Do HEIs deliver a curriculum, style of learning, or method of communication that
privileges white students?
What are the policy implications for the persistence of the white-BME attainment
gap?
What initiatives, interventions and approaches have proven successful in addressing
the white-BME attainment gap?
Submission
The conference invites contributions from researchers, policy-makers and HE
practitioners. Contributions should be grounded in your current work (teaching or research
or student support) which helps us to better understand excellent practice in closing the
attainment gap between white and Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) students.
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We invite oral presentations (15 minutes + 5 minutes Q&A) or poster presentations on
any of the following:
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Theory and pedagogy relevant to improving BME performance in higher education.
Research on race and ethnicity in higher education, including the white-BME
attainment gap.
Policy reviews and proposals on BME attainment in higher education.
Practices, interventions and initiatives: examples of innovative teaching, learning
and student support approaches beneficial to BME attainment.
Please send us a 300 word abstract, a 100-word biography of the presenter(s), and contact
details to EDIresearch@kent.ac.uk. A panel will act as peer reviewers for all conference
submissions.
Notifications of acceptance will be sent out at the earliest opportunity and no later than 1st
April 2016. If you have any questions about the conference or your submission please email
us at conferenceinfo@kent.ac.uk.
Conference prices
(Bookings open 8th Jan 2016)
Full conference (excluding accommodation)
Full conference (excluding accommodation) - Early bird rate (before 14th
April 2016)
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£125
£80