These are exactly my thoughts too Paul. An attempt has been made to control what seems to be external factors. What about internal processes? Relationship with tutors, access to the information network, expectation etc. all can have an influence. Further research certainly would be useful to help highlight further areas to target action.
 
 
Nneb Akpom-Simon
Equality and Diversity Adviser 
City University
 
Email: [log in to unmask]
Tel: 020 7040 4069
 
________________________________

From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list on behalf of Crofts Paul
Sent: Tue 17/07/2007 13:27
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: useful data on ethnicity and gender



I would love to know what these "other reasons" are "which could explain the results obtained" and what alternative explanation(s) there are that these findings "... do not automatically imply that there is some form of ethnic or gender bias within the HE system". 

 

It seems to me that the evidence is clear: "even after controlling for these other factors, coming from an ethnic minority community was still found to have a statistically significant and negative effect on degree attainment (my emphasis). The research also showed that women were more likely to obtain a higher degree classification than men, except when it comes to attaining a first."

 

If all the other factors have been controlled for, what other explanations are there other than the ethnicity or gender of the student? Can someone explain?

 

Paul Crofts

Equality and Diversity Officer (Students)

 

University of Northampton

Room MY81, Avenue Campus

St. Georges Avenue

Northampton

NN2 6JD

 

Tel: (01604) 893887

Mobile (work): 07872836463

E-Mail: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> 

 

________________________________

From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Deborah Viney
Sent: 17 July 2007 12:10
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: useful data on ethnicity and gender

 

Dear all

 

This morning I have been passed (for comment) a copy of a briefing paper from Universities UK (no PR-0607-27) which is dated 25th - 29th June 2007 and headed "Parliamentary Review".   It contains written replies from Bill Rammell (Minister of State for Lifeling Learning, Further and Higher Education, DfES) to a parliamentary question from Boris Johnson on degree classifications by gender and ethnicity.   The gender data includes SOME breakdown by "Oxbridge" and "Russell group" compared to "all UK HEIs" which may be of interest.

 

The Minister's comment on page 5 is also interesting: 

 

"The "Ethnicity and Degree Attainment" report, published in January 2007, concluded that much of the attainment gap between students from minority ethnic communities and their White (sic) peers could be explained by factors other than ethnicity (e.g. gender, prior attainment, disability, deprivation, subject, term-time accommodation and age).  However, even after controlling for these other factors, coming from an ethnic minority community was still found to have a statistically significant and negative effect on degree attainment.   The research also showed that women were more likely to obtain a higher degree classification than men,  except when it comes to attaining a first.   These findings do not automatically imply that there is some form of ethnic or gender bias within the HE system, and there are a number of other reasons which could explain the results obtained."

 

Full report available at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RW92.pdf 

 

regards, Deb

Deb Viney, 

B.Sc. (Hons); MPhil.; MNADP; FHEA

Diversity Advisor,

Deputy Secretary's Office,

School of Oriental and African Studies, 

University of London

Tel: 020 7074 5007   Fax: 020 7074 5019

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