About This Webinar
Dr Denise Miller will chair a round table panel discussion focused on addressing the so-called 'Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic Awarding Gap'; i.e., the disparity in academic outcomes among students from racially minoritized backgrounds. The event will bring together diverse panel members to critically assess traditional advising structures and will reveal how they frequently fail to account for the systemic barriers continually encountered by racially minoritized students, such as implicit bias, lack of representation, and inadequate support. The discussion will also highlight the limitations of short-term solutions, including one-off initiatives or annual events, including, Black History Month. While these initiatives are important in raising awareness, panellists will suggest that they are not sufficient to address the entrenched inequalities that contribute to the awarding gap. The panel will advocate for a year-round approach to personal tutoring and advising, an approach that is designed to support racially minoritized students throughout their academic journey. This includes fostering a deeper understanding of racially minoritized student’s unique strengths, creating environments that promote a sense of belonging, and offering culturally competent guidance, role-modelling, and mentorship. Additionally, the panel will discuss the notion of embedding decolonised practices within the hidden curriculum. The event will align with key UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). By rethinking and reforming personal tutoring and advising, the panel will assert that higher education institutions can make significant progress toward reducing the awarding gap.
About the Presenters
Denise Miller, University of Greenwich