Fellowship targets University playing field

Dr Nadine Zacharias, Director of Equity and Diversity at Deakin University, has been awarded one of three national Equity Fellowships for 2016 that aim to improve university access for people from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds.

Over the next 12 months, the three Fellows will work with colleagues across the sector and the Department of Education and Training to explore student equity issues of national significance.

The Fellowships are funded by the Higher Education Participation and Partnership Program (HEPPP), introduced in 2010 to support Australian universities to improve access for diverse learners, and managed through the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education (NCSEHE) at Curtin University.

Dr Zacharias’ Fellowship aims to understand how HEPPP was operationalised by universities, whether the HEPPP is enabling systemic change across all universities and to what extent the vision of a more equitable Australian higher education system was realised through the national equity program.

Dr Zacharias explained that while Australia is internationally regarded as a leader in improving access to Higher Education, differences in approach and results between universities have become apparent.

“The national HEPPP program has given us five years of data, which will show us what is working and what is not,” Dr Zacharias said.

“As part of the Fellowship, I will also develop an evidence-based understanding of the most successful approaches and establish whether the program is enabling systemic change at the institutional level, as intended.”

Dr Zacharias explained that the Equity Fellowship brings together her interests in social justice, business practice, and public policy.

“I feel honoured to have received this Fellowship,” Dr Zacharias said.

“Deakin is an Australian leader in improving equity and is continuously innovating. Being located in a regional setting has helped, but across the nation we are seeing indications that culture and leadership make a big difference as to the success of individual universities.”

Deakin’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander congratulated Dr Zacharias on the Fellowship.

“This project goes to the heart of a critical issue for the sector – bridging the gap between policy and practice to achieve a more equitable Australian Higher Education system,” Professor den Hollander said.

“It will enable us to better understand how equity policy in Australia is implemented, what works and why - a project that’s important for Deakin and for the sector.

“It is also particularly timely. Since the Bradley Review, there have been a number of factors affecting patterns of access and participation for students from equity groups, including deregulation and shifting community beliefs about the nature and value of university education.”

NCSEHE Director, Professor Sue Trinidad, noted the need for further investigation and action in the area.

“Higher education is key to people from disadvantaged backgrounds achieving their potential. While progress has been made, there’s more to be done,” Professor Trinidad said.

About the Higher Education Participation and Partnership Program (HEPPP)The HEPPP initiative, a result of the 2008 Bradley Review of Higher Education, was introduced in 2010 to support Australian universities to improve access for diverse learners.

About the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education (NCSEHE) at Curtin UniversityThe NCSEHE aims to inform public policy design and implementation and institutional practice to improve the higher education participation and success for marginalised and disadvantaged people.