Widening participation in higher education: An exploration of barriers affecting incarcerated students’ engagement and participation in an Australian university’s enabling program.
Presentation
Paper/Presentation Title | Widening participation in higher education: An exploration of barriers affecting incarcerated students’ engagement and participation in an Australian university’s enabling program. |
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Presentation Type | Presentation |
Authors | Sherwood, Celeste, Park, Sang-Soon and Hopkins, Susan |
Year | 2024 |
Place of Publication | Australia |
Web Address (URL) of Paper | https://www.aceaconference.com/ACEA-16thAnnualConference#/agenda?day=2&lang=en&sessionId=2141000000719066 |
Web Address (URL) of Conference Proceedings | https://www.aceaconference.com/ACEA-16thAnnualConference#/agenda?day=1&lang=en |
Conference/Event | 15th Biennial International Australasian Corrections Education Association Conference (ACEA 2024) |
Event Details | 15th Biennial International Australasian Corrections Education Association Conference (ACEA 2024) ACEA 15th Biennial Conference Delivery Online Event Date 11 to end of 13 Jun 2024 Event Location Online Event Description 15th Biennial International Australasian Corrections Education Association Conference Broadening Horizons: Navigating A Chaotic World The scope of this virtual conference reflects the dynamic landscape of corrections education in today's ever-changing world. In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, shifting societal norms, and unprecedented global challenges, corrections education plays a crucial role in empowering individuals to navigate through chaos and uncertainty. This theme invites exploration into innovative approaches, best practices, and emerging trends within corrections education, aiming to broaden horizons for both educators and learners alike. It also reflects the pressing need to adapt corrections education in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other societal disruptions. Amidst this chaos, there is a crucial emphasis on addressing the unique educational needs of diverse populations and indigenous overrepresentation, including Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Event Web Address (URL) |
Abstract | Efforts to broaden the participation of non-traditional students in higher education have led to the implementation of various pathway programs in many Australian universities. These programs offer non-traditional students alternative routes into higher education. In Australia, some universities provide incarcerated students with opportunities to enrol in a limited number of courses. It is widely recognized that incarcerated students encounter a range of significant challenges when engaging with higher education studies. This paper investigates the nature and range of personal and academic challenges encountered by incarcerated students, with the goal of developing a more nuanced understanding of these barriers. Students’ responses to a reflective assignment task about ‘challenges’ were collected at the conclusion of their six-week Study Management course. Data were collected from 112 students across three offerings of the course in 2023. Responses were analysed to identify patterns in the data and generate themes. These themes are discussed using the lens of 'bounded agency' (Rubenson & Desjardins, 2009) to explore how dispositional, situational and institutional factors may constrain students’ engagement and participation in higher education. The nature of deficit thinking and its potential impact on students’ participation and engagement in higher education is also considered, and a range of practitioner reflections and propositions are shared. This study provides valuable insights for practitioners and other stakeholders working in the field of carceral education. |
Keywords | widening participation, access and participation, barriers |
Contains Sensitive Content | Does not contain sensitive content |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 390102. Curriculum and pedagogy theory and development |
Public Notes | There are no files associated with this item. |
Byline Affiliations | UniSQ College (Pathways) |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/z8850/widening-participation-in-higher-education-an-exploration-of-barriers-affecting-incarcerated-students-engagement-and-participation-in-an-australian-university-s-enabling-program
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