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Supporting Students from Equity Groups: Experiences of Staff and Considerations for Institutions

Authors :
Macqueen, Suzanne
Southgate, Erica
Scevak, Jill
Source :
Studies in Higher Education. 2023 48(2):356-367.
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

In light of widening participation initiatives internationally, including those in Australia, much has been written about equity policies in education. There is a growing body of research related to the outcomes of such policies and the experiences of non-traditional students, including those from low socio-economic status (LSES) backgrounds and students who are First Generation and/or First in Family, as well as other equity groups. This paper presents data related to a less researched effect of widening participation: the experiences of and impact on academic staff and those providing support services to students. We focus particularly on students from LSES backgrounds. Qualitative data were collected through focus groups with academic and student support staff in a large regional Australian university, with several themes emerging. In this paper, we investigate staff experiences related to diversity in student cohorts, drawing on Bourdieu's concept of capital. Results show that the academics are supportive of LSES students and sensitive to the range of student backgrounds in their courses, including differences in cultural capital and students experiencing extreme hardship, but the support provided is affected by staff gender. It is evident that staff endeavour pedagogically and pastorally to support students, often at personal cost. There are workload and welfare implications evident for staff, institutions and funding.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0307-5079 and 1470-174X
Volume :
48
Issue :
2
Database :
ERIC
Journal :
Studies in Higher Education
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
EJ1378274
Document Type :
Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2022.2137124