RESEARCH INTO ETHNICITY AND EMPLOYABILITY

27 May 2004

EDGE HILL RESEARCHES ETHNICITY AND EMPLOYABILITY

Edge Hill College of Higher Education has accepted the invitation to join UK academics to take part in a national research project on the theme of ethnicity and employability.

Project leaders, the University of East London, invited Edge Hill to take part as a result of its continuing success in widening participation in higher education, to those who would not traditionally take up places.

The European Social Fund initiative forms part of a wider study to research equal opportunities in the workplace. Edge Hill has joined partners at the University of East London, Leeds Metropolitan University, the University of Bradford and Brunel University to research the effectiveness of strategies to promote success for students, in particular those from minority ethnic backgrounds.

The research team intends to obtain a better understanding of the ways in which students from minority ethnic groups perceive the effectiveness of strategies already in place to recruit, retain and support them. The research will also track the career destinations of graduates from minority ethnic groups.

Katherine Straker is leading the project for Edge Hill: "We have already begun the preliminary stages of the research, which includes each partner producing a detailed profile report on their institution. We are hoping the research will provide an opportunity for students from minority ethnic groups to have their say, and that the findings will make an invaluable contribution towards improving the overall higher education experience for these students."

The project is due to be completed in August 2006 with questionnaire distribution and interviews planned for 2004/05. A research report will be produced for the European Social Fund followed by journal publications and conference presentations.

For further information please contact Katherine Straker, research Projects Officer, Research Department, tel: 01695 594568 ENDS

EDITOR?S NOTES: For further information please contact: Roisin Rowley-Smith PR Manager Tel: 01695 584509 fax: 01695 584355 E mail: rowlesr@edgehill.ac.uk or pressoffice@edgehill.ac.uk