{"id":6073,"date":"2020-06-07T16:18:50","date_gmt":"2020-06-07T15:18:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.canterbury.ac.uk\/expertcomment\/?p=6073"},"modified":"2020-06-07T17:46:31","modified_gmt":"2020-06-07T16:46:31","slug":"working-in-partnership-to-close-our-gap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.canterbury.ac.uk\/expertcomment\/working-in-partnership-to-close-our-gap\/","title":{"rendered":"Working in partnership to Close Our Gap"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mary\u00a0Makinde\u00a0is a\u00a0Lecturer in Forensic Investigation and the University\u2019s BAME Strategic Lead for\u00a0the\u00a0Closing\u00a0Our Gap\u00a0Strategy\u00a0group\u00a0which aims to eradicate the\u00a0BAME attainment gap.\u00a0In this expert comment Mary explains the\u00a0work that is taking place within the University\u00a0to\u00a0close our gap and\u00a0tackle issues around race.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The attainment gap relates to a significant and persistent disparity in the academic attainment between different groups of students. The BAME attainment gap is the difference in the degree outcomes between Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students and their white counterparts. In March 2019 a joint report by Universities UK and the National Union of Students highlighted the extent of the BAME attainment gap in universities across the United Kingdom. In this report it was found that a student\u2019s race and ethnicity can significantly impact their degree outcome, with white students more likely to graduate with a 1st<\/sup> or 2:1 degree classification. It is important to recognise that BAME is not a homogenous group and when the data is further scrutinized the largest gap is observed between black students and white students.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Canterbury Christ Church we are proud\u00a0that we\u00a0attract students from all backgrounds, cultures and\u00a0areas of the globe,\u00a0and whilst a large proportion of our students receive a 1st<\/sup>\u00a0or a 2:1 degree, we acknowledge that there is\u00a0difference in the proportion of\u00a0black students and white students achieving\u00a0a 1st<\/sup>\u00a0and\u00a02:1\u00a0honours\u00a0degree. This is not something that we are proud of.\u00a0Following an institutional\u00a0review,\u00a0we\u00a0have ruled\u00a0out\u00a0possible explanations for the gap such as prior attainment, socio-economic background, commuting, subject choice and entry tariff.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u00a0also\u00a0understand that the implications of the attainment gap are far-reaching and therefore our\u00a0Black\u00a0students\u00a0may experience additional challenges once they graduate\u00a0because of\u00a0their degree outcome.\u00a0For instance,\u00a0they will have less chances\u00a0to\u00a0secure\u00a0employment\u00a0and Postgraduate positions that require a 2:1 or above in a relevant degree and this may subsequently impact on representation within a sector.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

For\u00a0these reasons,\u00a0and our strong belief that every student has a right to a quality education,\u00a0we have made a strategic commitment to\u00a0reducing and ultimately\u00a0eradicating the gap.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Being a Black woman is something that I am\u00a0immensely\u00a0proud\u00a0of,\u00a0but\u00a0I am\u00a0also fully aware of the\u00a0challenges that people of colour face\u00a0on a daily basis\u00a0and\u00a0as such,\u00a0the BAME attainment gap concerns me greatly. I am frustrated that this gap exists. I\u00a0strongly\u00a0believe that everyone has the right to a quality,\u00a0inclusive\u00a0and diverse\u00a0education that gives them the opportunity to\u00a0thrive and\u00a0reach their career\u00a0aspirations.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, the question is what are we doing?\u00a0In\u00a02019 the University\u00a0made a commitment to eradicating the gap\u00a0and\u00a0put\u00a0together a Closing Our Gap Strategy group.\u00a0The group comprises of academic and professional service staff from across the\u00a0University,\u00a0but more importantly it is a collaboration in which our BAME students are at the heart of\u00a0every decision made. As such BAME students from across the\u00a0University and representatives from the BAME\u00a0Student Network co-lead on the\u00a0Closing Our Gap Strategy group, thus we\u00a0serve as\u00a0partners in tackling\u00a0the gap,\u00a0addressing\u00a0issues around race and racism.\u00a0Working\u00a0as partners will help us to gain a better understanding of the lived experiences of our BAME students,\u00a0develop inclusive and diverse learning environments and build a sense of belonging.\u00a0Through this group we are\u00a0committed\u00a0to breaking\u00a0down institutional barriers and inequalities that\u00a0inhibit our BAME students from reaching their potential.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since\u00a0my appointment\u00a0I have held a series of focus groups with BAME students across the institution, including undergraduate, postgraduate students\u00a0and students undertaking placements. Through this I have started to gain an understanding of the barriers that we as an\u00a0institution are placing in front of our students, although some of these were not a surprise to me having gone through the\u00a0UK education\u00a0system myself. Through these conversations and the initial data collected by the University we have put together work strands that have been grouped under three\u00a0categories:\u00a0Culture<\/strong>,\u00a0Curriculum<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Community<\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n