Join the Equity in Education Research Network to explore the risks to equity in education through a day of expert insights and open discussion.
Agenda for the day:
10:00-10:20 Opening session
10:20-11:05 Building Skills, Measuring Impact: Evaluating Embedded Skills Provision
11:05-11:20 Break (Tea/coffee provided)
11:20-12:00 [title tbc] Pathway to Bath Programme
12:00-12:40 University Work Placements: Barriers to Participation for Underrepresented Groups
12:40-13:20 Lunch (provided for registered attendees)
13:20-14:00 [title tbc] Experiences of Black Heritage Students
14:00-14:45 Closing the Loop: Turning Evaluation into Action
14:45-15:00 Closing session
Building Skills, Measuring Impact: Evaluating Embedded Skills Provision
This session looks at the early stages of a collaborative evaluation project reviewing embedded academic, digital, and employability skills in undergraduate study. We'll share what has been developed so far, reflect on progress and invite participants to engage in "what if" scenarios to imagine how the project could shape student learning and employability outcomes.
University Work Placements: Barriers to Participation for Underrepresented Groups
In this project, we explored the barriers that students from underrepresented groups face in accessing work placement opportunities. Using surveys, focus groups and interviews, we identify key challenges – such as financial concerns, lack of awareness, and limited support – and offered evidence-based recommendations to improve access and equity. In addition, our analysis of university registry data highlighted the effect of a placement on later degree outcomes and how this is particularly impactful for students who receive a bursary, providing further guidance for future policy.
Closing the Loop: Turning Evaluation into Action
This session looks at how evaluation can drive change in Access and Participation practice. Exploring the University's recent work to embed Theory of Change and strengthen monitoring and evaluation of Access and Participation supporting work, it examines how insights are being used to reflect, adapt, and improve interventions.