Wonkhe @ Home: Nice work if you can get it

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