Transcript Presentation (pptx)

Experiences of Indigenous
and non-Indigenous first
generation students at the
University of Sydney
Amani Bell & Matthew Benton
@AmaniBell
The University of Sydney
Page 1
The University of Sydney
Page 2
Widening Participation: 'First in the Family' students
succeeding in universities
The University of Sydney
Page 3
Potentials approach
Ka hikitea, Ministry of Education, New Zealand
The University of Sydney
Page 4
Focus groups
Sites
Focus Group 1
Focus Group 2
Focus Group 3
Auckland (NZ)
Maori
Pasifika
Non-FIFU
Cape Town (SA)
Special admission +
Non on special
Non-FIFU
financial aid (low SES)
admissions
Aboriginal and Torres
FIFU
Non-FIFU
Non-Aboriginal FIFU
Non-FIFU
Sydney
Strait Islander ( 2
groups)
Thompson
Rivers Aboriginal
(Canada)
The University of Sydney
Page 5
Themes
1. When and why students decide to go to university
2. Importance of support programs
3. Cultural dissonances
4. Balancing uni, expenses & social life
5. Empowerment
The University of Sydney
Page 6
Recommendations
– Student stories
http://www.firstinfamily.com.au/kids.php#kids2
http://www.firstinfamily.com.au/family-2.php
– Simplify navigation of support services
– More support for isolated students
– More empathy from staff
The University of Sydney
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Questions for further exploration
– What happens after graduation?
– Transformations
– Impacts for families, friends, communities
– Students as partners
The University of Sydney
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References
Akena, F, A (2012). Critical Analysis of the Production of Western Knowledge and Its Implications
for Indigenous Knowledge and Decolonization. Journal of Black Studies. 43(6), 599–619.
Braun, V. and Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in
Psychology, 3: 77-101.
Chilisa B (2012). Indigenous Research Methodologies, Sage Publications: California.
Dei, G. J. S. (2008). ‘Indigenous knowledge studies and the next generation: Pedagogical
possibilities for anti-colonial education.’ Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 37(Suppl.), 513.
Devlin, M., & O'Shea, H. (2012). Effective university teaching: Views of Australian university
students from low socio-economic status backgrounds. Teaching in Higher Education, 17(4), 385-397.
Devlin M & O’Shea H (2011). Directions for Australian higher education institutional policy and
practice in supporting students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Journal of Higher Education
Policy and Management 33:5, 529-535.
Gale, T. (2009). Towards a southern theory of higher education. In Preparing for tomorrow today:
the first year experience as foundation: First Year in Higher Education Conference 2009, 29 June-1
July 2009, Townsville, Queensland: conference proceedings. (pp. 1-15). Queensland University of
Technology.
Hall, M. (2012). Inequality and higher education: marketplace or social justice? Leadership
Foundation for Higher Education.
Universities Australia (2008). Advancing equity and participation in Australian higher education.
Action to address participation and equity levels in higher education of people from lower
socioeconomic backgrounds and Indigenous people, Canberra, ACT.
The University of Sydney
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