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University: University of South Australia
Lead Researcher: Sharron King
Funding Round: 2016
Funding Received: $293,614
A suite of interconnected early intervention resources was developed and implemented to improve the engagement, success and wellbeing of low SES students studying at regional universities. This included an online training package for regional staff to deliver support services related to academic literacies and wellbeing. A nationally significant Early Intervention Strategy was produced, as well as recommendations for institutions; staff; students; policy; and research.
University: University of Canberra
Lead Researcher: Laurie Poretti
Funding Received: $105,000
A series of literacy, numeracy, assignment writing and time-management modules were developed to break down barriers to higher education for low SES regional students. These modules were made available online to schools in regional New South Wales and Queensland with large cohorts of students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. Supplementary school visits were made by outreach officers as part of the project.
University: La Trobe University
Lead Researcher: Andrew Harvey
Funding Received: $144,460
This project explored the higher education aspirations and experiences of new migrants in low SES regional communities, and the extent of regional campus support. An evidence base was established through interviews with school and university students; community stakeholders; school and university staff; and focus groups to inform efforts to raise access, participation and social inclusion of students from low SES new migrant backgrounds.
Funding Round: 2015
Funding Received: $34,000
This project identified and analysed factors affecting attrition and return to higher education among low SES undergraduate students. Data analysis, revealed approximately half of ‘non-completers’ returned to university study within eight years Student interviews and surveys confirmed that, while attrition is difficult to prevent, re-enrolment is relatively easy to support. The insights generated informed policies and strategies to support students to re-engage with higher education.
Funding Received: $127,000
This project produced a model for attracting and supporting care leavers into higher education. Analysis of international research; analysis of data collection methods; and in-depth interviews with care leavers provided insight into the group’s experiences and outcomes. Project outputs included guidelines for students who have spent time in out-of-home care and guidelines for university staff delivering outreach and support to this target group.
Lead Researcher: Judy Nagy
Funding Round: 2014
Funding Received: $168,422
This project examined the financial circumstances and associated psychosocial factors of regional students in higher education. Qualitative and quantitative data was gathered through 607 surveys and 37 extensive interviews, to provide insight into the difficulties faced by regional students nationally. The resulting multi-layered dataset allowed for a thorough analysis of regional students financial, psychological and social situations based on demographic groupings of age and relocation status.
University: University of the Sunshine Coast
Lead Researcher: Kerry Rutter
Funding Received: $59,195
This project investigated the underrepresentation in higher education of non-Indigenous young males around the Gympie region of Queensland, identifying and implementing strategies to inform and motivate individuals to increase university participation. Research also addressed the reluctance of young non-Indigenous females in this region to pursue STEM degrees, indicating future outreach activities focusing on raising aspirations, allaying common misconceptions, providing information, and confidence building.
University: University of Wollongong
Lead Researcher: Brittany Brown
Funding Received: $51,000
A pilot outreach program was conducted in partnership with four regional and remote high schools, incorporating in-school and on-campus activities, with the goal of supporting students’ attainment, aspirations and awareness toward higher education. An online resource kit was developed to enable regional and remote schools to self-deliver outreach programs at a low cost by using school staff and student alumni in partnership with a university.
University: Queensland University of Technology
Lead Researcher: Rebekah Russell-Bennett and Maria Raciti
Funding Received: $580,000
This project aimed to synthesise best practice social marketing and widening participation to design an effective, national social marketing strategy for low socioeconomic status students, families and communities. The specific objectives of the strategy were to: increase awareness of, and aspiration to, tertiary study; increase knowledge of pathways to tertiary study; and increase numbers of applications to tertiary study and pathways courses.
Funding Received: $75,997
This project examined how universities addressed student equity within their employability strategies, in the context of relatively poor graduate outcomes for some groups of underrepresented students. The research included analysis of employability policy in higher education across the United Kingdom, United States and Australia; a desktop analysis of Australian university websites; and a survey of career managers and student union leaders within Australian public universities.