Welcome to March – April Learning and Teaching Enhancement Theme: Examples of positive practices in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).
In this theme, Teaching Matters asked contributors to reflect on specific examples of positive practices in EDI at the University, for example, those practices noted in the recent School Annual Quality Reports. We also asked authors to engage critically with the notion of EDI, as we know that institutionalising such practices can sometimes lead to ‘tick box’ exercises rather than genuinely reckoning with the challenges that such policies entail. Questions around equality, diversity and inclusion traverse all aspects of education at the University and help us improve how we conceive of learning spaces and inter-relational dynamics between staff and students. Continuing to define, shape, and extend notions of EDI serves as a useful tool to unearth invisible practices of domination and deconstruct the power relations. This is why such a theme warrants frequent exploration.
In this series, we will hear from:
- Nichola Kett, who discusses the University’s work in relation to QAA’s Enhancement Theme: Creating inclusive learning communities.
- Shian Holt, Head of Student Support and Enhancement, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, who provides an overview of the School’s enhanced support for WP students ‘Support to Succeed’ programme.
We will also hear from others, including student Ayanda Ngobeni, and her thoughts on EDI initiatives across the University. Ayanda was a guest speaker on our recent Decolonising the Curriculum – Sharing Ideas podcast series, released in conjunction with The Race Equality and Anti-Racist Sub-Committee (REAR) at The University of Edinburgh.
Lastly, in 2019, Teaching Matters ran a mini-series Inclusivity in the Curriculum, and in 2020 we hosted a mini-series Social justice and anti-discrimination. We encourage you to look back at these conversations around EDI already featured on the blog.
Happy reading!
Jenny Scoles
Dr Jenny Scoles is the editor of Teaching Matters. She is an Academic Developer (Learning and Teaching Enhancement), and a Senior Fellow HEA, in the Institute for Academic Development, and provides pedagogical support for University course and programme design. Her interests include student engagement, professional learning and sociomaterial methodologies.