Higher Education: How Inclusive is it Really?

On Tuesday 4 April, we will be joined by Jo Byrd from University of Derby for an in-person / hybrid session on inclusion / inclusivity in Higher Education.

The session will take place in HG136 but with a hybrid option for colleagues to join remotely via MS Teams, if needed. 

Aims of the session include:

• To examine principles of inclusive practice and critique concepts of meritocracy.
• To consider structural disadvantage and consider how, when and why students are successful.
• To look at current practices in one area using the QAA Inclusive Framework and consider how practices could be changed/ tweaked.
• To understand that it is the mindset of the academic staff and the institution that enables or inhibits inclusive practice.

Jo Byrd is the Assistant Discipline Lead for Primary Education at Derby University. She has worked there for 9 years in various roles, including as a Programme Leader for 3 teacher education programmes and has worked on the International iPGCE programme.  She is in the final stages of her Doctorate which is titled, ‘How Whiteness Manifests itself in Teacher Education’.  

Before working at the University, she worked as a primary school teacher in Derby and London working with children from aged 4 to 11 for 10 years and during this time she did her Master’s with a focus on inclusion.  Jo taught English as a Foreign Language in London and Spain for 5 years and has travelled extensively.  She is interested in equity and social justice and is very concerned with current policy initiatives in education. 

Who should attend this session?

This session will be of interest to all teaching staff who are keen to explore the principles of inclusion and how they might teach in a more inclusive manner.

The session is aimed at those who want to know more but do not always feel comfortable to ask.  In the spirit of inclusion, this will be about bringing people in, rather than leaving them out. I aim to foster openness and to facilitate a non-judgemental session and I do not pretend to have all the answers.

This will be a practical session where staff will be encouraged to explore their current practice and have time to consider tweaking the ways they might work. The session is not aimed at those who may already be doing great work, although they would be more than welcome to come along and share their work.

Booking information:

To book a place at this event, please complete a copy of our CPD booking form.