Reflections on Broadening Recruitment and Widening Participation: The Challenge of Diversity

1. Reflections on Broadening Recruitment and Widening Participation: The Challenge of Diversity A WP Development Programme for the University of Borås, 2010 -2011 in partnership with Continuum, University of East London

2. Background • The University of Borås (UB) wants to be known as the “University of Diversity”. (Mångfaldens högskola) • UB has a strong recruitment record to build on in terms of diversity and inclusion. • Aims to develop a more strategic approach to match the operational performance achieved.

3. Inclusive Approach • University of Borås is therefore challenging itself to improve both representation and diversity through a cross-university approach which will focus on the need to: • Identify development areas for WP. • Explore practical activities and projects in the field of WP. • Support staff capacity building and awareness of different aspects of WP.

4. Aims • The main aim of the programme is to identify how UB should be working over the next few years to both promote and widen participation to its HE programmes. • To build capacity across the university to WP.

5. Aims • Outputs: • University lecture on WP • Series of themed professional development workshops (3) • WP toolkit • International study visit • Knowledge exchange • Action plan development • Series of WP Action Projects

6. An Overview of the Programme • Institutional lecture and networking event: An open invitation lecture to kick-start the programme. • Professional development workshops: Three themed day workshops involving staff from across the university. • A customised toolkit: Based on outputs from workshops and other sources. • A UK WP study visit: Created for the Advisory Group to undertake a London based study visit. • Outline action plan: Based on staff inputs and discussion with the National Agency for HE.

7. Professional Development Workshops • Workshop 1(16th September 2010): • Widening Recruitment and Participation – Meanings, Definitions and Implications • Workshop 2 (10th November 2010): • Widening Recruitment and Participation – Pre-entry and HE Access • Workshop 3(3rd February 2011): • Widening Recruitment and Participation – Developing WRP Action Projects

8. Outline WP Action Plan 2012-2015 • Context • Institutional mission • Position statement • Aims and objectives • Work undertaken to date • Monitoring and evaluation

9. Staff Participation • Advisory Board created with 12 members from the 6 departments – Schools, the Unit for Library and Learning Resources, the Central Administration and the Student Union at UB. • The Advisory Board plus 20 additional colleagues participated in a series of 3 themed workshops.

10. Staff Participation • A university wide networking event was held to kick-start this phase of the WP work. • The outputs from workshops fed into the production of a toolkit to be rolled out across the university for all staff. • Meeting with the Senior Management team. • Staff group participated in the UK study visit

11. Next Steps • Consultation and configuration of the WP Action Plan 2012-2015. • Evaluate progress of the Action Projects. • Dissemination of WRP Toolkit. • Develop proposal for a junior University of Borås. • Build research and development capacity.

12. Contact Professor John Storan Director, Continuum University of East London E: j.storan@uel.ac.uk T: +44 208 223 2162 Web: www.uel.ac.uk/continuum