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Historically within universities there have been a range of cohorts that have been under-represented (Dow & Kempner, 2010). As UNSW moves to be a more equitable higher education space with a student community that reflects the broader Australian population, these under-represented cohorts are becoming more prominent (EDI, n.d.). As this is a significant shift in higher education, there are various institutional barriers that can make it harder for students with diverse experiences to succeed (Crawford, 2022).
- People from low socio-economic backgrounds
- People from regional and remote areas
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- People with disability
- People from non-English speaking backgrounds
- Women in non-traditional subject areas
(Department of Education, 2024; Brett, Burnheim & Harvey, 2016).
Despite being identified over 30 years ago, these cohorts are still under-represented in higher education and significant changes need to occur to ensure these students are represented in population parity within both enrolment and retention numbers (Department of Education, 2024).
It should also be noted that there are other equity cohorts that have not been defined here, but still benefit from the reduction of barriers within higher education (Department of Education, 2024). There are also additional cohorts listed, that are not identified by the government, but have historically been underrepresented and discriminated against (Department of Education, 2024).
Intersectionality
The term intersectionality was coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 as a legal term that has expanded beyond academia (Coaston, 2019). The concept of intersectionality explores the compounding effects of disadvantage in equity cohorts (Collins, 2015). There are societal barriers to success that exist within each cohort, and compounded barriers that occur due to the overlap of cohorts (Harpur, Szucs, & Willox, 2023; Walby, Armstrong, & Strid, 2012).
The graphic explores intersectionality with a life-span perspective.
To view a larger image click the link here.
This graphic is an example of some of the strengths and barriers to success a hypothetical student might face. The content of this graphic was developed through research on the experiences of tertiary student experiences that identify with the following cohorts: Low SES background, Regional and Remote, Culturally and Racially Marginalised.
To view a larger image click the link here.
References
Baker, S. (n.d.) Equity Groups: Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Students [Blog Post] Retrieved from https://www.gie.unsw.edu.au/research/equity-groups-culturally-and-linguistically-diverse-cald-students
Baker, S. (n.d.) Equity Groups: Rural, Remote and Regional Students [Blog Post] Retrieved from https://www.gie.unsw.edu.au/research/rural-remote-and-regional-students
Baker, S. (n.d.) Equity Groups: Students from Low Socioeconomic Backgrounds in Australian Higher Education [Blog Post] Retrieved from https://www.gie.unsw.edu.au/research/LowSES-higher-education
Collins, P. H. (2015). Intersectionality’s Definitional Dilemmas. Annual Review of Sociology, 41(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-073014-112142
Dale, J., Raciti, M., & Tham, A. (2023). How mass public transportation influences the retention intentions of Australian regional and remote university students. Rural Society, 32(1), 15–29. https://doi.org/10.1080/10371656.2023.2208915
Gutierrez, D., & Gutierrez, A. (2019). Developing A Trauma-Informed Lens In The College Classroom And Empowering Students Through Building Positive Relationships. Contemporary Issues in Education Research (Littleton, Colo.), 12(1), 11–18. https://doi.org/10.19030/cier.v12i1.10258
Harpur, P., Szucs, B., & Willox, D. (2023). Strategic and policy responses to intersectionality in higher education. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 45(1), 19–35. https://doi.org/10.1080/1360080X.2022.2144790
Hibbert, L., Osborne-Crowley, K. & Warren, M. (2023) Student Support Working Group- Summary of Existing Insights into the Gateway Equity Cohort. [Governance Document, University of New South Wales]. University of New South Wales, Equity Diversity and Inclusion.
JASS (n.d.). Big Ideas: Intersectionality. [Image]. JASS. https://justassociates.org/big-ideas/intersectionality/
Walby, S., Armstrong, J., & Strid, S. (2012). Intersectionality: Multiple Inequalities in Social Theory. Sociology (Oxford), 46(2), 224–240. https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038511416164
