Engaging Everyone Conference - launching the Curriculum Framework

Tuesday, 21 February 2017

More than 100 staff and students gathered in the Meadow Suite on Wednesday 25 January for the launch of the University of Reading Curriculum Framework and a day of thought-provoking presentations, discussions, and workshops on diversity and inclusion. 

The conference, co-ordinated by Nina Brooke (CQSD Lead- Curriculum Framework) and colleagues in CQSD, was very much a collaborative effort involving Elizabeth McCrum (Strategic lead- Curriculum Framework), Paddy Woodman (Director of Student Development & Access), Ellie Highwood and Simon Chandler-Wilde (Deans for Diversity & Inclusion) together with RUSU Education and Diversity Officers, Niall Hamilton and Sed Joshi, and Victoria Bundy (Course Rep Co-ordinator).

The Curriculum Framework

The University has committed to reviewing its undergraduate curriculum over this and the next two academic years. Dr Elizabeth McCrum opened the day, outlining what the framework is, what it means to staff and students, and the support, training and resources available to support staff in reviewing their curriculum in light of the Framework. This set the scene for the rest of the day which focused on the inclusive learning and teaching principles espoused in the framework.

Diversity & Inclusion

This was followed by a keynote by Professor Gurnam Singh from Coventry University. Gurnam who has an international reputation for his work on equality and diversity in higher education gave a frank account of the current challenges facing Universities in closing what is popularly known as the 'BME attainment gap’ and a call to action to tackle ‘institutional racism’. 

Next, Professor Ellie Highwood and Sed Joshi provided a clear evidence base for change, drawing on data about our students and video testimonies from our students.  The take home message was clear- we need to embrace a new strategic approach to inclusive practice which moves away from a deficit model to a more proactive and anticipatory model.

Activities over lunch presented an ideal opportunity to showcase good practice in inclusive teaching and provided space and time for staff to hear what our students’ value most and consider  a range of pedagogical  strategies to make how and what we teach  more meaningful, relevant and accessible to all our students. 

The afternoon offered delegates a smorgasbord of workshops, from the theory and practices of critical pedagogy to inclusive assessment and feedback- a fitting conclusion to a day of diversity.

For colleagues who couldn't attend, the slides and summary of the outputs from the day are available on the CQSD Annual T&L Conference 2017 page.

A summary of the Curriculum Framework can be found in a dedicated T&L Reading newsletter. 

Contact Nina Brooke for more information on the Curriculum Framework.