Event Information

Hosted in OC0.03, found on the ground floor of the Oculus, join Sarah Atkinson, CEO of the Social Mobility Foundation, to discuss class disparities in graduate outcomes and attainment, what is being done to make the system fairer, and ways in which institutions can further support to improve prospects for students from a Widening Participation background. 

Accessibility requirements:

The room itself contains an IR Induction Loop for those hard of hearing, alongside a number of spaces along the front for wheelchair users to sit. The room has step free access, through the far entrance of the room. It is located with automatic access doors and an accessible toilet found along the corridor. There is also a conveniently located gender neutral toilet near to the lecture room, on the ground floor of the Oculus. 

What will I learn?

The purpose of the talk is to learn more about the graduate labour market and beyond, and how class background shapes opportunities and job prospects. It will look into the work of the Social Mobility Foundation in supporting organisations, the importance of social mobility, and how organisations can go further to better represent and recruit students (and those in the labour market) from Widening Participation and working-class backgrounds. The aim of this talk is to learn more about how class shapes career opportunities, including in hiring biases and career progression; what is being done to make opportunities more accessible to those from working-class backgrounds; and how institutions can better support students from WP backgrounds to make up for a class resources gap in job applications.

What does Widening Participation mean?

You may:

• Be originally from an area and community where progression to Higher Education is low (classed as LPN - Low Participation Neighbourhoods and Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD)).
• Come from a low socio-economic background.
• Be the first generation of your family to enter Higher Education.
• Be a care leaver or estranged student.
• Be a Young Carer.

What is "Lets' Talk About Classism"?

Let's Talk about Classism is a campaign ran by your Widening Participation Officer throughout Term 3, to encourage and allow space to come together and discuss the impact of class and socioeconomic status on the opportunities and experiences of Warwick students. These are not only the student opportunities directly available to us, but also on the experiences and unintentional or intentional discrimination that occurs around both the National Student movement, as well as specifically during our time studying at the University of Warwick. 
Let's Talk about Classism will explore 3 key themes throughout the following weeks. It will also aim to offer room to bring together the Widening Participation community, and to help enhance and grow a student and staff network to fuller engagement and discussion of Classism and the experiences of it here on campus. 

The three key themes are as follows:

• Higher Education Communities
• Student Experience
• Graduate Outcomes

You can get involved with Let’s Talk About Classism, and find out more, by viewing the Campaigns Page here!