Theme 1

1. Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student DiversityAuthors: Kevin Brain, Kath Bridger, Judith Foreman, Ivan Reid and Jenny Shaw Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

2. Theme 1 How do staff in the institution define and understand ‘Widening Participation’ and ‘Student Diversity’ in Higher Education Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

3. Widening Participation A ‘portmanteau term’ (Watson, 2006) It may be: • a desired outcome; • a process, activity or set of activities; • a type of student. Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

4. Different Approaches to WP Based on Wilson & Iles (1996); Jones and Thomas (2005) Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

5. Key Institutional Questions • Is widening participation viewed as being important across the whole student life-cycle or is there an emphasis on certain stages? • Is widening participation defined broadly or is it targeted on particular target groups? • Is widening participation peripheral or mainstream? Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

6. What is the level of understanding of student diversity within the institution? Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

7. Student Diversity "Diversity is...the concept that people should be valued as individuals for reasons related to business interests, as well as for moral and social reasons.”(CIPD) • May be an outcome of WP activities; • May be an outcome of other activities - e.g. employer engagement; • A wide range of starting points. Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

8. Widening Participation & Student Diversity Widening participation is what you do Student diversity is what you achieve Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

9. What is ‘Managing Diversity’? Makes two key assumptions: • The heterogeneity and diversity of social groups; • Organisations can benefit from understanding and valuing difference and managing diversity effectively. Both have implications for organisational change and professional practice - a business case. Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

10. Internally driven; Rests on ‘business case’; Perceives MD as investment. Drivers for Managing Diversity Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

11. Strategic; Internalised by all. Degree of Integration Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

12. Difference perceived as asset/richness; Mainstream adaptation advocated. Perception of ‘Difference’ Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

13. Development for all individuals; Universal initiatives; Supported by wider pluralistic knowledge base. Focus of Action Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

14. Managing Diversity – Where is the sector? • Originally private sector concept • More recent application to public/not for profit sector • Focus on diversity of employees • Generally not as well developed in relation to customer/client diversity – especially student diversity in HE Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

15. Key Institutional Questions • Are the potential benefits of diversity recognised or is it linked to the idea of ‘lowering standards’? • What implications does this have for institutional aims - including any aims to expand or diversify the student body? • What are the implications for practice? • What might be the effect on students of current practice, and does this therefore need to change? Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

16. Theme 2Developing a Business Case Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

17. Why a Develop a Business Case? • Creates internal arguments for student diversity and WP based on benefits to institution; • HE Sector is partially marketised, so ‘business’ arguments apply. Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

18. However… In the HE context, mission commitment to issues of social justice important and valued Therefore • Social and ethical considerations form a core element of a business case. May link to history, reputation and issues of institutional self-identity. • Potential marketing/reputational implications. • HE sector is diverse, so not ‘one size fits all’. • Requires organisational change. Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

19. Building a Business Case Elements include: • Potential benefits to the institution. • Potential costs, risks and barriers. • Differential impacts on different stakeholders. • Do the benefits outweigh the costs? • Can the costs be met? Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

20. External Drivers Internal Drivers Recruitment ‘Pool of Talent’ Improving T&L New markets Reputation (Access to funding) Legislation Funding and policy drivers Ethical drivers - Social justice Organisational Change Mission Commitment Corporate Social Responsibility Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

21. Drivers for WP and Diversity Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

22. Key Institutional Questions • How do you define the institution’s current student ‘market’ and how is this likely to change over the next 5 years? • How will the institution need to change in order to reach these markets? • What will be the implications of this change? Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Student Diversity

23. Which of the potential benefits associated with student diversity are of greatest interest to the institution in order to meet its strategic aims? Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

24. Increasing Student Numbers • Widening participation is a powerful way to increase (or maintain) student numbers. • It is most effective when: • Long term relationships built with communities or groups; • It is underpinned by an inclusive, supportive learning environment (investment costs). • Lower retention may become an issue. • It will change your institution forever! Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

25. Tapping the Pool of Talent • Desire to attract ‘talent’ from all sectors of society; • Maintains strict entry criteria; • May involve extensive pre-entry work (could be funding-dependent); • Does not require institution to change; • …or does it? Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

26. Improving Learning & Teaching • Diversity has positive impacts on: • A range of learning and intellectual development outcomes; • Employability skills. • Benefits only seen when diversity actively promoted throughout the institution. • Requires significant commitment Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

27. Access to Funding • Track record in this area may provide access to funding directly for diversity or WP; • Tends to be project/initiative focused. Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

28. New Roles and Markets • Developing relationships with new groups and communities can lead to new opportunities for research, knowledge transfer, CPD etc; • WP/diversity approach critical in development of some new ‘products’ e.g. Foundation Degrees; • Costs involved in entering new markets. Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

29. Complying with Legislation • Duty to promote equality applies to all HEIs; • Failure to meet diverse student needs can result in costly litigation and adverse publicity; • Research demonstrates staff are not always aware of their duty under law. Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

30. Reputation • Diversity and accessibility are core to the reputation of some institutions; • Students tend to be sensitive to issues of diversity and equality; • For other institutions, diversity may threaten reputation. What do your marketing materials say about you? Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

31. Key Institutional Questions • Do staff recognise the potential benefits outlined above? • Are these benefits associated positively with student diversity/WP? • Do staff have the required understanding and skills to make the most of these benefits? • Are staff in the institution aware of their duties under law? Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

32. Costs and Risks • Additional cost of supporting the learning experience; • Costs of low retention; • New course development (for new student markets); • Academic standards; • Diverting funding from ‘core business’. Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

33. Barriers Internal barriers context specific, e.g. • Other activities such as research being more highly valued; • Institutional history and perceptions held by prospective students (and some staff!); • Fear of adverse effect on existing student cohorts. External barriers, e.g. funding system. Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

34. How do different groups of staff perceive the benefits and costs of student diversity/WP? Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

35. Senior managers: Benefits for local communities & individuals. Social responsibility! Admissions: WP enriches the culture of the institution WP staff: Academia benefits from diversity; we create new opportunities based on our market intelligence Academics: Many benefits for subject areas, but need to change teaching style Higher Education Institution Marketing: Diversity and inclusivity can be a selling point. Student support: We only ever see the problems and struggles! Students: Diversity is great, but not if it compromises our education! Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

36. Key Institutional Questions • Are all points of view taken into consideration? • Are all staff (and students) fully consulted about widening participation and diversity issues? • How will you involve all stakeholders? Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

37. Theme 3Moving Forward Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

38. What needs to change? • Embedded WP means institutional change; • Managing Diversity approach implies moving in line with institutional mission and integration within institutional strategy. Should be: • Evidence based; • Pan-institutional; • Inclusive of all stakeholders. Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

39. Key Institutional Questions (1) • Are senior management committed to this change? • What are the limitations on the scope of change? • How will change in one area affect others? • How can change involve all stakeholders? • What are the benefits of change, how will they be measured? …/cont Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

40. Key Institutional Questions (2) • What are the costs, risks, barriers and unintended consequences associated with change? • What would be the consequence of failing to change? Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

41. Managing Change Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

42. Managing Change Change Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

43. Explore: Gather Data • Examples from other HEIs; • Existing literature and research; • Recruitment, retention and transition figures; • Student and staff feedback; • Examples of effective practice; • Horizon-scanning for external changes e.g. demographic change, new Govt policy. Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

44. Explore: Review • Identify assumptions in policies, e.g. that students will be 18-19; that A-levels are superior to vocational qualifications etc. • Identify assumptions in practices, e.g. that all students have European ‘cultural capital’; that mature students all have the same requirements etc. • Stakeholder views on status quo - including students. Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

45. Analyse • What does the evidence tell you about where you are now? • What does the evidence tell you about where you want or need to be? • What needs to change in order to get there? Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

46. Decide For each option being considered.. Benefits: • Financial (short and long term); • Reputational, market positioning, student experience etc. Costs: • Direct cost of change; • Financial and other impacts on all areas of operation. Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

47. Reflect What is the nature of the preferred option: • Assimilation, ‘compensation’ or valuing difference? • Strategic or operational? • Central or peripheral? • Process or outcomes focused? • Targeting groups or recognising individual difference? What do different stakeholders think? Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

48. Act: Pilot • Consult with all stakeholders on preferred options; • Launch initial/pilot change programme with a system of continuous review; • Include all stakeholders in implementation and review; • Assess the outcomes of the pilot and use to inform further work - go through cycle again! Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity`

49. Act: Mainstream • What are the performance indicators? • How well does the initiative scale up? • Could there be unforeseen implications? • How will initial and ongoing staff development needs be met? • How consistent is the change with the mission, vision and values of the institution? How will you know that you have succeeded? Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity

50. Resources • Leadership Foundation for Higher Education: http://www.lfhe.ac.uk/diversity/dr/ • ‘Multicultural Awareness Project for Institutional Change’ http://www.education.umn.edu/CRDEUL/reports.html • Higher Education Academy: http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/ourwork/institutions Developing a Business Case for Embedding WP and Managing Student Diversity