The Equity in Education Research Network connects researchers and practitioners across the University who are focused on topics related to widening participation, social mobility, access, and social equity. Our goal is to foster collaboration and communication between those conducting research in these areas and the practitioner teams supporting WP initiatives. The network provides a platform for sharing research, discussing key issues in social mobility, and developing collaborative approaches that integrate Research-Informed Practice and Practice-Informed Research.

Work included in this network may extend beyond the core aims of Widening Participation, but should broadly align with one or more of the nine risks to equality of opportunity as outlined in the Access and Participation Plan (APP): - Sense of Belonging - Financial Challenges - Gaps in Prior Knowledge - Home Circumstances - Inequity, Discrimination, or Unconscious Bias - Accessibility - Lack of Appropriate Support Mechanisms - Lack of Role Models - Mental Health & Wellbeing

Through regular meetings, we aim to build a strong, cross-disciplinary community committed to addressing these risks and driving positive change in access, support, and equity within higher education. The Equity in Education Research Network is hosted in a Teams group, which anyone in the University can request to join.

Anyone with relevant research or experience is welcome to submit a talk for our regular meeting. Please fill in this form to submit your talk. We welcome sessions fitting within the following formats:

Monthly Lightning Talks (30 mins)
The talk should last around 15 minutes, followed by 15 minutes of Q&A to allow for audience interaction and discussion. These online sessions are designed to spark new ideas, share insights, and foster connections among attendees. The focus is on presenting key research findings, emerging practices, or novel approaches in a brief, accessible manner.

Hour-long Discussions (1 hour)
A more in-depth format that allows for a 30-45 minute presentation followed by 15-30 minutes of discussion. The discussion segment is an opportunity for attendees to explore the presented ideas, ask questions, and reflect on their relevance to their own work or practice. This format encourages active participation and collaborative thinking, with a goal of capturing key takeaways that can inform future research, practice, and partnerships. It’s ideal for sharing more complex research findings or gaining insight from network members.

Conference
We will also hold an annual conference for a more comprehensive exploration of a topic or theme, providing diverse perspectives through multiple talks and allowing ample time for group discussions. The discussions will focus on how we can use and further explore the ideas presented, with insights and recommendations captured for future application.