Inertia in Elite STEM Widening Participation: The Use of Contextual Data in Admissions

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  • Author(s): Kandiko Howson, Camille (ORCID Kandiko Howson, Camille (ORCID 0000-0003-1045-3655); Cohen, Eliel (ORCID Cohen, Eliel (ORCID 0000-0002-7064-4552); Viola, Julianne K. (ORCID Viola, Julianne K. (ORCID 0000-0002-1634-505X)
  • Language:
    English
  • Source:
    British Journal of Sociology of Education. 2022 43(6):950-969.
  • Publication Date:
    2022
  • Document Type:
    Journal Articles
    Reports - Research
  • Additional Information
    • Availability:
      Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
    • Peer Reviewed:
      Y
    • Source:
      20
    • Education Level:
      Higher Education
      Postsecondary Education
    • Subject Terms:
    • Subject Terms:
    • Accession Number:
      10.1080/01425692.2022.2085660
    • ISSN:
      0142-5692
      1465-3346
    • Abstract:
      There is a contradiction of intensive national policy efforts and the slow pace of change in widening participation in England. This paper focuses on the use of contextual data in STEM subjects, where there has been less progress in widening access and a more rigid entry pathway through A-level study. Interviews with admissions tutors suggest a narrative in which STEM curricula, and the prior knowledge and skills required to succeed within it are fixed, and that attempts to widen participation and broaden the notion of 'best students' could undermine academic standards and the student experience. The paper draws on social justice and social reproduction theoretical frameworks to explore policy enactment, identifying support for widening participation and the effects of a conservative ethos amongst academics. The tension of these approaches, alongside the autonomy of decision-makers, are key dynamics explaining the inertia of policy efforts for change.
    • Abstract:
      As Provided
    • Publication Date:
      2023
    • Accession Number:
      EJ1360733