Returning to work in January is often a period for learning, reflection, and action. Reflecting on a meeting of the Living Black at University Commission in November, Halpin Senior Consultant Osaro Otobo asks if enough action is being taking by UK universities to improve the university experience of both Black students and staff.
When talking about racism in higher education, much of the conversation turns towards the Black awarding gap, decolonising the curriculum and the Race Equality Charter. The conversation often looks strictly at academic achievement.
Students go to university to get a higher level of education yes, but the experience of that education is so much more than academics. The wider experience a student has over 3-years directly impacts on what they achieve at university: whether they drop out, whether they struggle or whether they excel.
Beyond the academics, if we look at where students spend a large proportion of their time, accommodation is often the answer.
And when we talk about accommodation, the conversation often turns to the cost.
But what about the student experience of accommodation?
In the last 12-months there has plenty of discussion about the rising cost of going to University, yet there is limited conversation on the experience of students in accommodation and how these experiences contribute to academic success.
This is why the Living Black at University report is so important to the sector; it looked at the lived experiences of Black students in accommodation and presented tangible recommendations on how to support them.
Personally, it was and still is a highlight of my career to-date to have played a part in the project in different ways: as a researcher and a project manager for Halpin (who led the project), and also as the person that came up with the research title ‘Living Black at University’.
Often with research projects, and reports by external consultants generally, the work is done, and the report is then left on a shelf to be forgotten or revisited when there is time or budget.
One thing that has filled me with hope since the publication of the Living Black at University report is seeing Higher Education institutions using the research to make plans for change.
Another thing that filled me with hope is seeing Unite Students, who commissioned the research, creating a Commission to respond to the findings and recommendations at a national level with influential organisations. The Commission is still going strong and is now in its second phase, and led in partnership with CUBO (College and University Business Officers). It is looking at supporting inclusion and anti-racist practices in student accommodation as well as wider campus services across the UK.
As students across the UK return to their accommodation, I cannot help but wonder what is being done to learn, reflect and take action to improve the experience of both Black students and staff this year?
If you would like expert advice from Halpin on the student experience or learn more about our reviews of accommodation and student facilities then do contact us. You can read more about our work with Unite and similar projects on our in our case studies here.