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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 Email: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> Visiting Address: Postal Address: Vernon Square Thornhaugh Street 1 Penton Rise Russell Square LONDON LONDON WC1X 9EW WC1H 0XG This e-mail is private and may be confidential and is for the intended recipient only. If you are not the intended recipient you are strictly prohibited from using, printing, copying, distributing or disseminating this e-mail or any information contained in it. We virus scan all E-mails leaving The University of Northampton but no warranty is given that this E-mail and any attachments are virus free. You should undertake your own virus checking. The right to monitor E-mail communications through our networks is reserved by us.