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Overcoming the underrepresentation of black minority and ethnic groups at British universities
A one-day conference and workshop from Liverpool John Moores University's school of humanities and social science, and the Centre for Liverpool and Merseyside Studies.
On a Liverpool BBC radio show to celebrate black history month in October 2009, there was much discussion about the depressingly low numbers of BME students in Liverpool who go on to study at university. Research demonstrates the importance of higher education in overcoming poverty and enabling people to move up in society. Improving access to universities for BME groups is essential for promoting racial and ethnic equality. The aim of this one-day conference is to bring some of the universities, schools and community organisations in the city together to try to work out a strategy on this question. There has never been a more important time for us to cooperate in workinig out an effective and coordinated plan to rectify this cause of social inequality and injustice.
The conference is aimed at community leaders, interested members of the public, academics, teachers, education professionals interested in widening participation in higher education and all who wish our universities to be vibrant centres of diversity and promoters of opportunity for all. The morning session will outline the key issues and latest research on this issues, while in the afternoon there will be an opportunity to discuss how it might be addressed in Liverpool, and to work together in groups to identify some ideas and initiatives around which we can build for the future.
Speakers include:
- Peter Horsfall, centre leader for secondary and vocational education, 'The challenges of recruiting BME students in to ITE programmes'
- Professor Charlotte Williams OBE, professor of social justice, head of the school of public policy and professional practice at Keele University, 'Negotiating the 'A' gap: reflections on ethnic minority access to higher education'
- Gloria Hyatt MBE, an education consultant who received the MBE award for services in education, 'The challenges and opportunities for BME students entering higher education'
- Professor Godfrey Mazhindu, dean of the faculty of health and applied social sciences at Liverpool John Moores University and current chair of the north west education providers group, 'Supporting BME students to achieve better degrees'
- Emy Onuora, event chair, director of Aimhigher Greater Merseyside
Please return your completed registration form to Dr Tony Webster, head of history at Liverpool John Moores University, 68 Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9HW by Monday 13 June 2011.
