Despite the progress in opening up universities to people from under-represented groups, there is still a long way to go. The current changes to higher education, including the closure of the Office for Fair Access, mean we could be in for a bumpy period. It is time to take stock by learning from all those working with disadvantaged people inside and beyond universities, being willing to change tack when initiatives are ineffective and incorporating new insights from areas like behavioural economics.
HEPI and the social mobility charity Brightside are working in partnership to bring together key experts on widening participation to see what more can be done to improve social mobility. Following publication over the summer of our collection of essays called Where next for widening participation and fair access? the HEPI/Brightside Breakfast Seminar on 12th October will provide a platform for the key stakeholders to come together for a frank discussion on what more universities can do to unlock people’s potential within the new regulatory environment:
- How do we achieve a real step change in widening participation and fair access?
- Should universities be compelled to radically reduce entry requirements for disadvantaged students?
- How should the sector and institutions deal with inequalities in non-completion rates and degree and employment outcomes for different groups of students?
Opening keynote by the Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP, Chair of the Education Selection Committee.
Speakers to include Zhi Soon, Director, Behavioural Insights team; Vonnie Sandlan, former President of NUS Scotland; Professor Stephen Gorard, Professor of Education and Public Policy, Durham University; David Woolley, Head of Schools, Colleges and Community Outreach, Nottingham Trent University; Anand Shukla, Chief Executive, Brightside; and Nick Hillman, HEPI Director.
For further information please contact Sarah Isles at [email protected]