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Organisation: Brunel University London
Lead Researcher: Emma Wainwright
Type of Publications: Journal article
Year Published: 2019
Drawing on extended narratives from eight first-generation students, this paper explores the extent to which these students can have a “slipstream” effect back upon the home, on their siblings and, in some instances, on their parents. Informed by understandings of family learning and social learning theory, the concept of familial role-modelling is used to consider the transmission of learning within the family.
Type of Publication: Journal article
Organisation: Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario
Lead Researcher: Lindsay DeClou
Type of Publications: Research report
Year Published: 2014
This paper explores the individual benefits and disadvantages associated with education, focusing on civic engagement; health/happiness; crime; and welfare/unemployment. The findings clearly suggest that investing in education has both individual and social benefits. It is evident that those with some form of postsecondary education often fare better than those with just a high school education.
Type of Publication: Research report
Organisation: NCSEHE
Lead Researcher: Ian W. Li
The study utilised random intercept models to analyse the determinants of university academic performance. This allows for a separate intercept for each school, and hence recognises the clustering of students within schools. Further, random coefficients models are also used to see if schools differed in translating certain inputs, specifically, prior academic achievement and socioeconomic status, into university academic outcomes.
Organisation: University of Newcastle
Lead Researcher: Jennifer Gore
Year Published: 2015
In this paper we test two key assumptions underpinning much of this activity: that students from low-SES backgrounds hold lower career aspirations; and that outreach activities appropriately target secondary school students, given that younger students’ aspirations are relatively under-developed. Our analyses demonstrate both the complexity of students’ career aspirations and some of the challenges associated with undertaking this kind of research.
Lead Researcher: Cathy Stone
Type of Publications: Professional commentary
Year Published: 2020
With the onset of COVID-19, Stone provides tips to help establish your online presence with your students based on ideas from a wide range of experienced online teachers.
Type of Publication: Professional commentary
Organisation: Griffith University
Lead Researcher: Angela Bowles
Year Published: 2013
Students’ perceptions during their first semester at university may be critical in the decision to continue or discontinue studies. In this study we consider students’ perceptions of what factors enable successful transition to university. Using qualitative research, students’ perceptions are obtained by in-depth interviews and focus groups that capture the first- and second-order perspectives of existing students at the end of first-year studies.
Organisation: ACER
Lead Researcher: Julie McMillan
Year Published: 2021
This study, developed with the support of a National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education (NCSEHE) Research Grant, is framed around three core research questions: How do the STEM pathways of equity groups and non-equity groups differ? What factors facilitate equity group students participating in university STEM courses? Do the factors influencing young people’s university STEM participation differ between equity groups and non-equity groups?
Organisation: Charles Darwin University
Lead Researcher: James Smith
Type of Publications: NCSEHE Fellowship report
Year Published: 2018
NCSEHE Equity Fellowship report called for urgent reform in the evaluation of Indigenous higher education policy and practice to continue improvements in student outcomes. The research recommended the development of a performance and evaluation strategy, supported by improved collaboration between Indigenous leaders, government and universities.
Type of Publication: NCSEHE Fellowship report
Organisation: La Trobe University
Lead Researcher: Ryan Naylor
Research recommended an institution-wide approach, including staff and students, to reduce the structural barriers to higher education retention and success for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The report recommended institutions prioritise a culture of equal opportunities and experiences, rather than relying on students to adapt to existing structures.
Lead Researcher: Nadine Zacharias
Type of Publications: Discussion paper
This discussion paper builds upon the work of the NCSEHE to promote strategic conversations at the intersection of equity research, practice and policy. The NCSEHE conducted four Building Legacy and Capacity workshops with the aim of extending the Centre’s capacity in synthesising, codifying and disseminating learnings from equity research and practice to inform future initiatives.
Type of Publication: Discussion paper