Addressing Differential Outcomes for Ethnically Diverse Learners Meeting

NEON Working Groups

  • Date

      11/02/2021

  • Time

      2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

The title for the meeting is Black History Month 2020: The Consequences of Collective Unlearning, Re-learning and Reflection

This working group serves to provide a space for addressing the challenges of establishing better outcomes for ethnically diverse learners in Higher Education, and will be exploring innovative approaches to developing good practice in this area by way of practical discussions, research/case study analysis, and peer support.

This working group is organised by the University of Kingston.

The meeting will be held online on Thursday 11th February from 2pm to 4pm.

Please register to receive the log in details and to be able to access the meeting.

Agenda

2.00-2.10 Welcome and Introductions (Karen Lipsedge, Kingston University, Chair)

2.10-2.20: Liz Grand, Diversity and Inclusion Adviser, St George’s, University of London

Title: Continuing Black History Month at St George’s, University of London.

Summary: This year, St George’s has placed increased focus and commitment on being an anti-racist university. As part of this commitment, we are ensuring recognition and celebration of Black History Month is extended beyond October, to throughout the year. We have set up a collaborative Black History Month Working Group which brings together staff and students across the university. This presentation talks through the co-production of the events and activities that have taken place so far as well as the overall collaborative approach that underpins the working group.

2.20-2.40: Juliet Winter, Senior Researcher in Learning and Teaching Development and an Associate Lecturer in American Studies, University of Winchester

Title: ‘How Do We ‘Decolonise the Curriculum’? Reflections on the University of Winchester’s First Institutional Decolonising the Curriculum Event’

Summary: In October 2020, the University of Winchester ran its first institutional decolonising the curriculum event. Scheduled to coincide with the UK’s Black History Month, the event intended to consider the University’s commitments to social justice, anti-racism and inclusivity within the context of broader debates about decolonising the curriculum and sector engagement with decolonising practice. This presentation reflects on the success of the decolonising the curriculum event.

2.40-2.55pm: Dr Katie McGown, Arts and Culture Manager, Canterbury Christ Church University

Title: BHM 365: For this Year and For Every Year

Summary: Canterbury Christ Church University recognises current and historical challenges, and its role in helping to dismantle racism, eliminate racial inequalities in Higher Education and celebrate the contributions of the Black community to our learning and working environment.   This presentation will share the thoughts and experiences of staff and students who have both developed and participated in Canterbury Christ Church University’s ‘BH 365’ programme; a suite of events designed to celebrate Black excellence and history throughout the year, not just in October. The presentation will also share the complexities of ensuring that the change is lasting, collaborative, and continuous.

2.55-3.05pm Break

3.05-3.30 Breakout groups

The breakout session provides colleagues with the opportunity to come together to discuss the Black History Month (BHM) events organised at their institutions this year, focusing on the questions below. Please select one member of your group to feedback key points covered in your discussions

  • If your institution ran any BHM events in October, do you run events every year, did you do anything different this year and, if so, why? If your institution did not run any BHM events in October, what was the thinking behind this decision?
  • Were there any challenges and/or barriers to running your institution’s BHM events this year and, if so, what were they and what are the lessons learnt for next year?
  • Do you think that any of the examples of good practice shared by our presenters could be adopted by your institution for BHM 2021?

 3.30-3.55pm: Feedback and Q&A

3.55-4pm: AOB and next meeting