Report: An exploration of staff perspective about anti-racist and inclusive assessment in ECYS

By exploring the practices, lived experiences and perspectives of OU staff, this study will advance our knowledge about how anti-racist and inclusive assessment practices can contribute to the work of reducing degree awarding gaps for Black and Minority Ethnic students in the OU. The proposed study will contribute to the literature about reimagining assessment in Higher Education and is aligned with the OU’s aim to progress its application for the Race Equality Charter Bronze Award. Additionally, it is intended to address issues relating to existing recruitment and retention challenges with Black and Minority Ethnic students in the OU. It will support those responsible for ECYS module production and presentation and staff development to implement more inclusive assessment practices. It could provide insight into the use of the OU Inclusive Curriculum Tool and how this could be applied to new assessment practices. The project has been designed to develop an understanding of staff perspectives in relation to anti-racist assessment at the OU and how these may be supported or constrained by existing pedagogical strategies and institutional structures.