The impact of COVID-19 on predicted grades for ‘A’ Level students
The global outbreak of the COVID-19 virus has created new and challenging circumstances for schools, colleges and universities. The recent announcement by the Department For Education to close all schools and colleges from 20 March resulted in a cancellation of all public exams. OFQUAL decided that students who were due to sit their GCSE and ‘A’ level exams would be awarded their predicted grades.
This project will explore the impact of such measure on ‘A’ level students. The main aims of the study are:
- To examine the impact (mental and academic) of predicted grades on ‘A’ level students.
- To explore support systems in place for such students and
- To analyse differences by race, class, gender and school type.
The project will focus on different types of schools and students will be recruited from a range of ethnic backgrounds and geographical locations. We will conduct a series surveys and interviews with students.
For further details or if you are interested in participating in the study please contact:
Find out more about The impact of COVID-19 on predicted grades for ‘A’ Level students report
Advancing Equality in Higher Education: an exploratory study of the Athena SWAN and Race Equality Charters
Case study analysis of higher education institutions and their views on the Race Equality Charter (REC)
This project which has been funded by the University and College Union (UCU) will explore the impact of the Race Equality Charter mark. It aims to:
- To examine aspects of good practice in awarded REC higher education institutions.
- To use case study data as examples of what can be learnt in relation to policy making around race in higher education institutions.
- To examine areas of improvement for those institutions not awarded the REC.
- To contribute to UCU policy making and future strategy on equity and inclusion.
Transitions from Higher Education
The Transitions from Higher Education project explored young people’s transitions from higher education. It used surveys and questionnaires with students who are in their final year of undergraduate study on education/ social sciences degrees.
Home schooling and Home education: race, class and inequality.
Kalwant is currently conducting research, with Dr Martin Myers (University of Portsmouth) exploring how and why home education is accessed by different social groups; and secondly, how these different groups are perceived as home educators. The research explores how marginal groups in society are often portrayed, both by educational authorities and in the media, as putting their children at risk by home educating. The research consists of in-depth interviews with families from different social and ethnic backgrounds.
BME Leaders: support networks and strategies for success in higher education
This project was funded by the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education and explores the sources of support and success strategies BME leaders use to achieve their academic success; it examines participants leadership roles and achievements in the White space of the academy and explores how higher education institutions can provide better support for the career progression of BME academics to senior leadership roles.
Understanding academic flight from UK higher education
This project was funded by the Equality Challenge Unit. The aims of the research were to:
- Understand to what extent UK academics consider moving to work in higher education overseas and to determine if there is a difference by ethnicity
- Understand the reasons (both push and pull factors) which contribute to potential migration to overseas higher education institutions (HEIs) and whether these factors vary by ethnicity
- Establish what UK HEIs can do to retain minority ethnic academics, and attract back those who have left.
- The findings suggest that BME academics are more likely to consider a move overseas compared to their white colleagues. The report suggests various recommendations for the retention of BME academics, particularly in relation to providing support for promotion and career progression.
Download the 'Understanding academic flight from UK higher education' report
Race, diversity and Inclusion in Initial Teacher Education
Funded by Multiverse, this study examined student and tutor understandings of the teaching of ‘race’, diversity and inclusion on ITE courses (PGCE primary/secondary and BA QTS) at one case study university. The project explored the views of students and tutors on ITE courses, regarding the teaching of ‘race’, diversity and inclusion?
The research was based on questionnaire surveys with students on PGCE primary/secondary and BA QTS and all tutors who taught on these courses. The study was presented as a case study analysis of the teaching of ‘race’, diversity and inclusion, which included developing workshops for staff and students. The workshops addressed ways of challenging stereotypes and confronting ‘difference’.