Access to highly skilled and professional work remains a question of socio-economic background. The reasons are complex, having to do with individual circumstances, structural barriers and geography. But wide and open access to social influence, and career success is an aspiration worth pursuing – and universities have their part to play.

Now, with the Westminster government and Office for Students’ emphasis on graduate-level employment as a core indicator of course quality, there is an opportunity to refocus attention on what universities, working with employers, can do to break down the barriers and help to open up opportunities to students from diverse social backgrounds.

At this Wonkhe @ Home event, in partnership with Handshake, we’ll explore how social capital structures access to opportunity, and the current state of thinking about the difference universities can make in supporting their students, and influencing in their regions, to drive social progress.

Agenda

09.30 How privilege still pays – and what can be done about it

Speakers: Anne-Marie Imafidon; Ann-Marie Bathmaker; Louise Ashley

10.30 Understanding students’ experiences and supporting students’ aspirations

Speakers: Julie Sanders; Uzma Khan; David Shull; Sunday Blake; Mia Nembhard

11.20 Break

11.40 Sticky regions: universities working with employers, supporting innovation, and retaining graduates

Speakers: Martin Perfect; Shauna McCloy; Adele Browne

12.30 Close

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Supporters

Access to highly skilled and professional work remains a question of socio-economic background. The reasons are complex, having to do with individual circumstances, structural barriers and geography. But wide and open access to social influence, and career success is an aspiration worth pursuing – and universities have their part to play.

Now, with the Westminster government and Office for Students’ emphasis on graduate-level employment as a core indicator of course quality, there is an opportunity to refocus attention on what universities, working with employers, can do to break down the barriers and help to open up opportunities to students from diverse social backgrounds.

At this Wonkhe @ Home event, in partnership with Handshake, we’ll explore how social capital structures access to opportunity, and the current state of thinking about the difference universities can make in supporting their students, and influencing in their regions, to drive social progress.

Agenda

09.30 How privilege still pays – and what can be done about it

Speakers: Anne-Marie Imafidon; Ann-Marie Bathmaker; Louise Ashley

10.30 Understanding students’ experiences and supporting students’ aspirations

Speakers: Julie Sanders; Uzma Khan; David Shull; Sunday Blake; Mia Nembhard

11.20 Break

11.40 Sticky regions: universities working with employers, supporting innovation, and retaining graduates

Speakers: Martin Perfect; Shauna McCloy; Adele Browne

12.30 Close

Default title

Supporters

Speakers

  • Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE

    CEO at Stemettes and Trustee at the Institute for the Future of Work

    Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE is a prodigy in every sense of the word. Aged 11, she was the youngest girl ever to pass A-level Computing, and was just 20 years old when she received her Master’s Degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Oxford. Since then, she has forged an enviable CV, … Continued

  • Ann-Marie Bathmaker

    Professor of Vocational and Higher Education, University of Birmingham

    Professor of Vocational and Higher Education, University of Birmingham

  • Louise Ashley

    Bridge Group Fellow and Senior Lecturer at Royal Holloway, University of London

    Dr Louise Ashley is a lecturer in Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour at Royal Holloway, University of London and a Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Professional Service Firms at Cass Business School. She specialises in researching the implementation and development of diversity and inclusion programmes in large, multinational professional service firms, with a … Continued

  • Julie Sanders

    Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, Newcastle University

    Professor Julie Sanders became Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost in 2018 having joined Newcastle University as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities and Social Sciences) in 2015. She has special responsibilities for academic strategy, and the three Faculties at Newcastle (Humanities and Social Sciences, Science Agriculture and Engineering and Medical Sciences). She is also the Executive lead for the University’s … Continued

  • Uzma Khan

    Deputy Secretary and Director of Planning, University of Glasgow

    Uzma Khan is Deputy Secretary and Director of Planning at the University of Glasgow, which she joined in November 2020.  Her role involves providing insights and analytics to inform the University’s approach to planning and delivery of its ‘World Changing Glasgow’ ambitions. In her capacity as Deputy Secretary, Uzma is involved in supporting across a … Continued

  • Sunday Blake

    Associate Editor, Wonkhe

    Sunday Blake is President at Exeter Guild of Students

  • Mia Nembhard

    President, Leicester SU
  • David Shull

    UK Country Founder and Head of Operations, Handshake

    David Shull joined Handshake in 2014 as one of the founding team members. Since then he’s gone on to lead Handshake’s university growth in the United States from 5 universities in 2014 to over 900 universities, 14M students, and 425,000 global employers in 2019. Today, David is leading Handshake’s international expansion efforts in the United Kingdom and … Continued

  • Martin Perfect

    Head Of Student and Graduate Employability, Staffordshire University

    Martin has spent over ten years in Higher Education understanding the needs of industry and ensuring that students are well prepared for successful futures. Currently the Head of Student and Graduate Employability at Staffordshire University, Martin also has strong experience in work placements and employer engagement from his time with Coventry University and the University … Continued

  • Shauna McCloy

    Head of Employability and Career Services, Ulster University

    Head of Employability and Career Services, at Ulster University

  • Adele Browne

    Head of Careers and Employability, De Montfort University

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  • Debbie McVitty

    Editor, Wonkhe

    Debbie McVitty, Editor, Wonkhe