Access and Equity in Australian Higher Education: The Equity Initiatives Framework Version 2.0

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5204/ssj.3559

Keywords:

access, equity, pathways, inclusion, support, higher education

Abstract

Australia's higher education sector has seen substantial developments in equity and inclusivity as a result of initiatives which work to improve the numbers and experiences of students from a wide diversity of backgrounds. This practice report shares learnings from a recent national project about the impacts of a wide range of access and equity programs and services, shedding light on effective strategies throughout the student life cycle. The study, known as the Critical Interventions Framework Part 3 (CIF 3), analysed published studies which provide details about the impact of initiatives, highlighting the mechanisms which have enabled students to gain access to and succeed in higher education. The focus here is on a key outcome of the CIF 3, the updated Equity Initiatives Framework (EIF), designed for utility as a quick reference guide to aid equity practitioners and others working to support students in their educational endeavours.

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Author Biographies

Anna Bennett, The University of Newcastle

Associate Professor Anna Bennett is Director of the Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre at the University of Newcastle, which offers the oldest and largest suite of enabling pathways in the country. Her research focuses on equity and inclusion in higher education pathways, transitions, evaluation and policy, and she is on the Editorial Board of the Q1 journal, Teaching in Higher Education.

Ryan Naylor, The University of Sydney

Ryan Naylor is Professor of Higher Education  and Academic Coordinator (Education Quality) in the Sydney School of Health Sciences. He is a Fulbright Scholar, and Principal Fellow, HEA. He is also a member of the Editorial Board for the Q1 journal, Student Success. His research focuses primarily on understanding and addressing barriers to success in higher education. 

Jo Hanley , The University of Newcastle

Dr Jo Hanley is Planning and Projects Coordinator for the Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre at the University of Newcastle. Jo has a PhD in Sociology and an Honours degree in Communication Studies with a research focus on community and access to university. She has worked in higher education for almost 30 years in academic, research and professional roles, and was manager of the journal International Studies in Widening Participation from 2017 to mid-2021, publishing seven Issues.

Cheryl Burgess, The University of Newcastle

Cheryl Burgess is Senior Manager, Strategy and Operations for the Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre at the University of Newcastle. She is focused on higher education research and practice that enables excellence in student transitions and retention, and which enhances student experience and outcomes.

2024 Student Success Conference

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Published

2024-07-03

How to Cite

Bennett, A. ., Naylor, R. ., Hanley , J. ., & Burgess, C. . (2024). Access and Equity in Australian Higher Education: The Equity Initiatives Framework Version 2.0. Student Success, 15(2), 67–74. https://doi.org/10.5204/ssj.3559

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 2 (2024): Special Issue | Student Success Conference

Section

Practice Reports

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Anna Bennett, Ryan Naylor, Jo Hanley , Cheryl Burgess

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors retain copyright and grant the Journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution International Licence (CC BY 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.