All universities have to produce plans to eliminate the gaps in access,
success and participation of disadvantaged student in higher education,
setting targets with regards to Global Majority, working class, disabled
and student with mental health conditions. In this book, Mike Seal
examines the terminology, theoretical debates and positions, identifies
the causes of gaps, and evaluates proposed initiatives. He argues that
there is an unexamined assumption that higher education is a 'good
thing' materially and intellectually, which demonises those for whom
this is questionable. The book also highlights the continuing structural
and individual discrimination in terms of class, race and disability and
a denial of the extent to which higher education is a cause of mental
health issues and negative well-being. It uncovers unexamined
'assimilation' models in higher education that expects these students to
abandon their culture and communities, despite students wanting to give
back to these communities being a major extrinsic motivation, and to
embrace a culture that will not embrace them.
The book starts from the perspective that contemporary international
higher education reproduces existing privileges, and the book goes on to
argue that widening participation agendas should recognise the changing
nature of academic life through a more inclusive, holistic approach.
Seal argues that it is essential to include an informed understanding of
how students position themselves in academia and how their identity and
academic status is enabled and developed with the support of the
university. In order to do this universities need to redefine their
purpose and the nature of their relationships with the communities they
purport to serve.
