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Welcome to the #DecolHallam: Belonging, inclusion and Equity project page.

Here we present our #DecolHallam project information. Click on the headings to learn more:

Our rationale Project aims Project overview Collaborators Research team Staff Students Project findings

 

Our Rationale

Providing inclusive experiences for all our students is central to the University’s strategic goal to Transform Lives and is an essential aspect of the Hallam Values. As an institution, we are proud of and recognise the diversity of our student body. Over 74% of our undergraduate home student population identify as being from an under-represented group and consequently may experience barriers to learning (Office for Student, 2019).

Given this diversity, there is a need to implement inclusive curricula that ensure all students can participate and thrive during their time at Sheffield Hallam. To be fully inclusive, our provision, resources, methods, and implementation of our curricula must adapt to accommodate the needs of all learners. Furthermore, when considering significant unexplained outcomes in degree awarding experienced by our students from racially minoritised backgrounds, there is compelling evidence that belonging, relevance and visibility are essential for student engagement. The #ClosingtheGap Report (UUK, 2019) described how institutions could address the degree awarding gap and identified action through five themes:

1. Providing strong leadership.
2. Having conversations about race and changing cultures.
3. Developing racially diverse and inclusive environments.
4. Getting the evidence and analysing the data on attainment.
5. Understanding what works.

The degree-awarding gap at Sheffield Hallam between White students and Black and Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) students is 14% (2020-21). However, when individual groups of racially minoritised students are considered, e.g., Arab students, Black students, international (non-EU) students and students from ‘other’ ethnic groups the awarding gaps are more than 20%.

The five themes identified in the #ClosingtheGap Report have formed a framework for SHU’s Race Equality Corporate Action Plan (2019). This plan has been endorsed by the Board of Governors and is expressed through college-level action plans. To find out more about our work to support the Race Equality Corporate Action Plan visit our dedicated Degree Awarding Gap website. The #DecolHallam project is one of the strands of work being undertaken by the Academic Development & Diversity (ADD) team to address the key issues impacting on the degree awarding gap. In addition, ADD has developed a portfolio of staff development focusing on race equity, inclusive practices and the establishing of groups for minoritised students. 

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Project Aims

The #DecolHallam project centres the experiences of ethnically minoritised students from across the University. The project aims to measure the cultural sensitivity and accessibility of our curricula. This information will then be used to support staff to implement curriculum interventions so students from ethnically minoritised groups have equitable opportunities for success. It seeks to identify those aspects of curricula which are key to students developing a sense of belonging and engagement with their learning and improving their experience and attainment.

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Project overview

The #DecolHallam project consists of a team of student researchers and Academic Development and Diversity staff (see Research Team below). The team will conduct the following project activities:

• Department-based focus groups led by student researchers to understand the lived experience across the student lifecycle.
• The deployment of the National Evaluating and Researching University Participating Interventions (NERUPI) Culturally Sensitive Curriculum Scales (CSCS) survey – a race-focused instrument developed to assess the ‘whiteness’ of the curriculum as a basis for further inquiry. The survey has a specific focus on Health and Social Science subject areas.
• An evaluation of course materials from the virtual learning environment ‘Blackboard’ for their accessibility and inclusivity.
• A pilot study, working in partnership with the Students Union and Library Services, to decolonise online reading lists. 

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Strategic Alignment

#DecolHallam supports the delivery of the University Strategy, the impact of the Access and Participation Plans and aims to specifically contribute to the eradication of the Degree Awarding Gap. In addition, it will contribute towards the successful implementation of the Hallam Model Inclusive Prompts. These have been devised to support course design teams to align the Hallam Model principles with those of an inclusive curriculum.

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Collaborators

Coming soon 

Research Team

Staff 

Read Helen’s pen portrait	Read Claire’s pen portrait	Read Rebecca’s pen portrait	Read Julie’s pen portrait

Students

Read Krishna’s pen portrait	Read Anusha’s pen portrait	Read Toheeb’s pen portrait	Read Chinenye’s pen portrait
Read Samantha’s pen portrait

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Project findings

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Last updated: 4th May 2022 NB