The Access Podcast SOAS-FACE

In this episode of the Access Podcast, I discuss the impact of the cost of living crisis on university students with Myles Hanlon, former Policy Adviser at UUK and now Senior Policy Analyst at AdvanceHE.


Leave us your comments or tag us on Twitter @theaccesspod

UCAS is currently seeking feedback on its proposal to reform the Personal Statement. The proposal is to reform the free-text personal statement into a series of questions. The rationale is that the current format benefits students with higher level of support and family experience of higher education. A survey of applicants also found that 83% of students find the process stressful.  

In the 12th episode of the Access Podcast, I speak to Tom Fryer, lead author of the HEPI Debate Paper Reforming the UCAS personal statement: Making the case for a series of short questions about UCAS proposals and his research ion this area. 

Julian Crockford believes that this could be a pivotal moment when we all get our theory heads on, unpack our interventions and gain an even deeper understanding about how they work. Julian is very positive about the role of intervention strategies in further developing our understanding about practice and the young people we work with. If we have enough time, we could ask more nuance questions about how we make a difference. Alternatively, we may only be able to do what we can to meet the deadlines.

In episode 10 of the Access Podcast, we discuss the Office for Students Consultation on regulating equality of Opportunity on English HE with Wendy Fowle and Gino Graziano, both convenors of the FACE APP Special Interest group. Our conversation followed the consultation’s questions and includes reflections on the views of the range of HEIs that are part of the SIG. We think you will find it both instructive and confirming. But, as always, do let us know your comments.

In this episode, we speak to Diane Reay about the Opportunity for All White paper, which was released in March 2022. Since then, much has changed. We have had two new Prime Ministers and several Education Secretaries. The future of the White Paper is yet unknown, but this was a good opportunity to discuss academisation and the impact of educational funding. It was also great to talk about the importance of processes, critical thinking and diversity in education with Diane. Could this be one of the areas that University-Schools partnerships could have the biggest impact? Her passion and plain speaking are second to none. If you haven’t read Miseducation, then now is the time.

In Episode 8 of the Access Podcast, I have a conversation with NUS outgoing President for Higher Education, Hillary Gyebi-Ababio. Hillary studied Social Policy at the University of Bristol, where she later served as the Bristol Student Union Undergraduate Education Officer.

Hillary's insight about student engagement in digital and non-digital spaces will be useful to HE professionals everywhere. She speaks eloquently about student agency and autonomy in regard to co-creation and belonging. She also recommends a long term vision, that is willing to try new approaches and use culturally sensitive language when communicating with students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.

It would be great to have your comments via email, twitter or Spotify. We look forward to hearing from you,

Renata Albuquerque (presenter and researcher)
Simon Tullett (editor and sound designer)
accesspodcast@soas.ac.uk
@theaccesspod


00:57 – Welcome

02:08 – Highlights at NUS

04:36 – Student Success Activities

08:36 – The Digital Space: Invisibly Inclusive

17:08 – Managing Status Inequality in Academia

18:52 – You Can’t Shake Off a Background

22:28 – Ibz Mo’s Suggestion

28:30 – Culturally Competent Language

34:01 – Student Led Initiatives – Overcoming Barriers

47:38 – Appreciation