Diversity Mark
The award is given to those convenors that undergo a process of review and reflection with their students to ensure that they have considered authors and perspectives from divergent backgrounds, such as race, gender, sexuality, disability, internationalisation, and socio-economic contexts within their discipline. Diversity Mark aims to support staff in representing diverse perspectives and authors in their reading list, which in turn leads to a more inclusive learning experience for students.
Diversity Mark evolves year on year. In some instances a module has a purely practical focus, with little offered in terms of a reading list. We are still able to go through the Diversity Mark method with convenors to make changes in innovative ways. Some convenors take the Diversity Mark program as an opportunity to investigate their assessments or seminar delivery. It is a truly exciting process to be part of.
Read our Centre for Journalism mid-project report for a flavour of the work.
Diversity Mark is a collaborative initiative run in conjunction with Students, Academic Liaison Teams, Kent Union and the Student Success Team. We have specialist student interns who work with the convenors.
Increasing belonging
Evidence suggests that course materials that are inclusive to a diverse student body have a positive impact. A recent joint report from UUK and the NUS, BAME attainment at UK Universities (2019) states;
A greater focus is needed from universities, working with their students, on ensuring that BAME students have a good sense of belonging at their university, and on understanding how a poor sense of belonging might be contributing to low levels of engagement and progression to postgraduate study.
A minor change to your course materials could make a major change to the way a student, or a group of students, responds to the course. Diversity Mark initiative is focused on creating a more inclusive and 'culturally sensitive' curriculum that works towards creating positive portrayals of people of colour, challenging power and designing inclusive classroom interactions.