Dr Christina Delistathi, Principal Lecturer and Director of Westminster Foundation Pathways, has written an article for Times Higher Education about the stereotypes surrounding foundation students and how these could be countered by universities.
The article discusses how foundation years have been successfully giving students from under-represented groups - such as first-generation, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME), mature or disabled students - access to Higher Education (HE). Even so, it notes that foundation students are often associated with negative stereotypes regarding their knowledge and backgrounds.
To challenge these preconceptions, Dr Delistathi suggests integrating the personal experiences and knowledge of foundation students into the curriculum. She highlights the University of Westminster as an example, as the University has been effective in trying to include these experiences in many modules.
Dr Delistathi also states the importance of universities having diverse academic staff, the creation of opportunities for students to contribute to their learning, and peer support mechanisms, such as mentoring schemes.
At the end of the piece, Dr Delistathi concludes: “Challenging negative narratives around foundation students is not easy, and a lot more work is needed to oppose broader negative ideas and stereotypes about the social groups that foundation students often come from. This is true both within and outside universities, but as centres of education and learning our institutions have broad shoulders upon which to base this crucial process.”
Read the full article on the Times Higher Education’s website.
