Minding the Gap: disparities in degree attainment in HE 22/1/ 2008 IOS Experience of Black Students in HE Disparities in degree Attainment Carlton Howson De Montfort University Youth and Community Division

Minding the Gap: disparities in degree attainment in HE 22/1/ 2008 IOS Research Methods Key Decisions Qualitative research paradigm External facilitation Process/outcomes, ends/means Students dialogue groups Biography Case studies

Minding the Gap: disparities in degree attainment in HE 22/1/ 2008 IOS Themes for Attention Invited space Recognition of power in struggle Recognition of issues for participating students in absorbing dominant ideology Issues for researcher and facilitator – balancing roles Tension in unknown undocumented known

Minding the Gap: disparities in degree attainment in HE 22/1/ 2008 IOS Arising Issues Emergence of need to negotiate Risk of domestication Recognition of shifting boundaries Need to sustain notion safe space

Minding the Gap: disparities in degree attainment in HE 22/1/ 2008 IOS Underlying Principles Freirian principles of dialogue Purpose of process is transformative Technologies of participatory development Issues concerning critical research practices

Minding the Gap: disparities in degree attainment in HE 22/1/ 2008 IOS What is our experience of education? 3 groups reflected on their experience of education: primary, secondary, tertiary, HE 2 Themes emerged: –A continuation of discrimination that had pervaded a whole educational career –Differences identified by students who had experienced educational institutions elsewhere

Minding the Gap: disparities in degree attainment in HE 22/1/ 2008 IOS Discriminatory themes at all levels Individual Scio –Cultural Structural

Minding the Gap: disparities in degree attainment in HE 22/1/ 2008 IOS How does it feel when we look at all experiences in one place Sense of lots of issues not clear where to start Sense of carrying a lot of baggage, sometimes a lifetimes worth Upset at how systematic it is and how hard it has been to survive within it Ready to challenge More determined to succeed and to challenge for positive change

Minding the Gap: disparities in degree attainment in HE 22/1/ 2008 IOS What have these experiences meant for us? What are our Strengths? Vulnerabilities? Recognition of some Tension?

Minding the Gap: disparities in degree attainment in HE 22/1/ 2008 IOS What are the Opportunities to Bring about Change? P.I.N Triangles (Position, Interest, Needs) University White students Black Students

Minding the Gap: disparities in degree attainment in HE 22/1/ 2008 IOS Three themes that emerge from discussion Learning Contracts Mentoring systems Radical Curriculum

Minding the Gap: disparities in degree attainment in HE 22/1/ 2008 IOS The silent ones I am prepared to initiate some change in the university and its approach towards students, because I am in touch with the "silent-ones", who speak to me about how they truly feel but do not have enough confidence in the initiatives that are being created. I feel if we all work together, things will improve for all the students.

Minding the Gap: disparities in degree attainment in HE 22/1/ 2008 IOS Narratives When I told another student what grade I got they said they did not think that I was capable of getting that grade Is that how they think about us From a very young age we are taught to memorise.. We are discouraged from having our own opinions …now they constantly pick on us for plagiarism

Minding the Gap: disparities in degree attainment in HE 22/1/ 2008 IOS Narratives I asked my tutor how I could improve my grade he told me that my aspirations were too high, he said that 60% is a good mark and I should be happy… I was shocked, it really put me off My tutor told me that I was just unlucky, its just bad luck

Minding the Gap: disparities in degree attainment in HE 22/1/ 2008 IOS Narratives I noticed that when we are discussing issues that have anything to do with Black people the White students dont contribute, when I challenge this, they just reply we are learning from you. Yet in the work situation they are the ones with the best jobs telling us what to do.

Minding the Gap: disparities in degree attainment in HE 22/1/ 2008 IOS Narratives We really need this group I feel so empowered We have to be strong we need unity No one expects me to succeed but I am determined, it does not matter how long it takes I will succeed

Minding the Gap: disparities in degree attainment in HE 22/1/ 2008 IOS How can I rise?