Linkedin

Patrice shared post below on linkedin, it attracted a lot of positive reactions.

This is Nathan Dodzo MA, DTLLS, FHEA, NPQSL, MHFA and Patrice Seuwou MBCS, SFHEA  recording a podcast on BAME Attainment Gap at the University of Northampton (UoN). The BAME student population in the UK has changed radically in recent years, this is significantly pronounced at the UoN. UoN has a student population of more than 47% BAME UG FT students, compared to the sector figure of about 31.2% This figure has increased year on year, faster than the overall sector. BAME final grades and employment prospects have not increased at the same rate. We are both conducting a study funded by the Institute of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, exploring BAME experiences and challenges. BAME students are not a homogenous group and while it is useful to look at commonalities within all BAME students, it is also sometimes necessary to analyse data by relevant sub-groups. hashtaghighereducation hashtaguniversity hashtagstudents hashtaguon hashtagteaching hashtagbame

Focus group 1

A very interesting and engaging 2 hour conversation with a group of BAME students from different backgrounds, cultures and countries.  They actively gave an insight into their experiences at UoN and their opinions into what they believe are some of the issues and challenges that they and other BAME students face, and the impact that may have on attainment. 

Meetings 18 February

Today we met to discuss progress, challenges to date and transcription options. 

We are generally happy with the progress to date, especially with our increased academic duties, roles and responsibilities. We have managed to capture feedback from a range of academic lectures and support staff from various faculties.

The challenge so far has been in recruiting students and black lecturers. So we decided to change our approach and contact some directly with details of the research project.

Regarding transcription,  we have spoken to several colleagues about who they used and some of the costs associated. Now, one thing that has become apparent is that, our budget does not allow for the cost of transcribing, especially with the hours of recorded interviews we had already captured.  Time to look at other readily available software and/or apps. 

Upcoming dissemination events:

  • Innovation projects network event – 24th February 2020, 9am
  • Discourses on Race in Higher Education Event – 11 March 2020, 5:30pm
  • L&T Conference 2020 – 16th June 2020, 9am

 

Research Activity Update

Research Activity Update

Responses to date

4 video recorded interview 

  • 2 x academic teaching staff
  • 2 x academic support staff

2 complete interview questions (not filmed) 

  • 2 x academics teaching staff

1 audio recorded focus group schedule for 25 February, to include:

  • 1 x British-born BAME student
  • 1 x Somali home student
  • 1 x Ivory Coast international student
  • 1 x Indian international student

 

Progress meeting 17/12

Checklist December 2019/January 2020

  1. Design the flyers for staff and students (statement about ethical approval should also be indicated)
  2. Develop Poster (LH/CH large screen advertisement)
  3. Update our website with relevant information about the study
  4. Informal discussion with potential interviewees (students/academic staff/ Personal tutor/librarians/other support and student facing staff)
  5. Setup email system to receive communications from interested participants
  6. Draft email communication for current students/staffs (Faculty group emails)
  7. Contact UoN communication team to send information to students and staff interested in taking part in this study.
  8. Identify good location (room in Creative Hub) for the interviews video recording CH111 to be used for video interviews and radio Studio for audio interviews
  9. Identify days for the focus groups (Tuesday morning/Thursday afternoon/Friday)
  10. Contact BAME Alumni students.

 

Additional things to consider

  1. Literature review
  2. Collate Current statistics

 

Ethics application approved

Ethics application approved

The ethics application has now been approved for our investigation.

We may now proceed with the data collection.

We now need to do the following:

  1. Design the flyers for staff and students (statement about ethical approval should also be indicated)
  2. Develop Poster (LH/CH large screen advertisement)
  3. Update our website with relevant information about the study
  4. Informal discussion with potential interviewees (students/academic staff/ Personal tutor/librarians/other support and student facing staff)
  5. Setup email system to receive communications from interested participants
  6. Draft email communication for current students/staffs (Faculty group emails)
  7. Contact UoN communication team to send information to students and staff interested in taking part in this study.
  8. Identify good location (room in Creative Hub) for the interviews video recording
  9. Identify days for the focus groups (Tuesday morning/Thursday afternoon/Friday)
  10. Contact BAME Alumni students.

The whole month of December could be used to recruit participants for all 4 focus groups (taking place in January/February/March 2020).

We can start interviewing staff as soon as possible (the target is 15 interviews but more participants would be better).

All participants would sign the consent forms (photograph, video, audio) before data could be collected.