Where do inequalities in young people’s decisions to study at university come from?

1 March 2019 - 1 August 2019

PI/s in Exeter: Dr Katherin Barg

CI/s in Exeter: Dr Anna Mountford-Zimdars

Research partners: Kirsty Janes (Co-I), Sam Dyer (Co-I). Advisory group: Nicola Sinclair, Melissa Ruddock

Sponsor(s): tbc

About the research

This project aims to improve knowledge around the formation of young people’s Higher Education decisions with a particular focus on young people of most disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. To produce findings that are informed by academic research but also aims, needs and experiences of Widening Participation (WP) services in the Higher Education sector, the academic and professional members of the Centre for Social Mobility work closely together on this project. In a number of workshops, they jointly develop research questions and research designs, evaluate empirical results and formulate practical recommendations for WP interventions. Outcomes of the project will include a literature review and findings obtained from qualitative interviews with Exeter undergraduate students of different socioeconomic backgrounds. The outcomes will provide a basis for funding applications to conduct a wider project involving large-scale (secondary) survey data.

To find out more about this project, contact: k.barg@exeter.ac.uk. And watch this space to learn about our first results.