Inclusive teaching and learning research
Find out more about inclusivity with our selected bibliography of research, reports and resources about teaching and learning inclusively.
There is a large body of research about inclusive practice in higher education. The list below is not exclusive but suggests a few places to start.
As the research tends to focus on specific student groups we have categorised it in this way, e.g. support for disabled students.However, it is crucial to remember that students’ identities are complex – for example, a disabled student is unlikely to feel defined by their disability alone and this is likely to intersect with other factors such as age, gender and race. Although certain groups do have specific requirements, it is important to not categorise students in simplistic ways. Furthermore, very often if you improve teaching and learning for a specific target group, it improves the experience for all students.
We have included links to practical guides and reports as well as reference to at least one book and one journal article for each topic.If you have a resource you would like to include, pleaseemail:
Inclusivity - general
Resources
Burke, P.J. & Crozier, G. (2012).Teaching Inclusively: Challenging Pedagogical Spaces.York: Higher Education Academy
Mountford-Zimdars, A. (ed.) (2015). Teaching in the context of diversity: Reflections and tips from educators at King’s College London.
Higher Education Academy -Videoson building inclusivity into the classroom
Higher Education Academy - Subject specific guides to inclusive curriculum design
Waterfield, J. and West, B. (2002) SENDA Compliance in HE. An audit and guidance tool for accessible practice within the framework of teaching and learning. SWANDS
Waterfield, J. and West, B. (2006) Inclusive Assessment in Higher Education: A Resource for Change. Staff Student Partnership for Assessment Change and Evaluation (SPACE) University of Plymouth: Plymouth.
Research and reports
Crozier, G. Reay, D. Clayton, J. Colliander, L. (2008) Different Strokes for Different Folks: Diverse Students in Diverse Institutions - Experiences of Higher Education. Research Papers in Education 23,2, 167-177.
Hockings, C. (2010) Inclusive learning and teaching in higher education: a synthesis of research. York: Higher Education Academy.
Reay, D., David, M. & Ball, S. (2005). Degrees of Choice: Social Class, Race and Gender in Higher Education. London: Trentham Books.
Gibson, S. (2015) When rights are not enough: What is? Moving towards new pedagogy for inclusive education within UK universities.International Journal of Inclusive Education,
Widening participation - general
Plymouth University - Information on widening participation
Resources
Higher Education Academy -Compendium of effective practice in higher education retention and success
Research
Burke, P.J. (2012).The Right to Higher Education: Beyond widening participation. Oxon: Routledge.
Cotton, D., Kneale, P. & Nash, P. (2013) Horizon-Scanning Report: Widening Participation, Retention and Success.Plymouth University: PedRIO.
Thomas, L. (2002), Student Retention in Higher Education: The Role of Institutional Habitus,Journal of Education Policy17, 4, 423-442.
Black and minority ethnic students
Resources
Chavrimootoo,D. Dawson, R.(2016) Learning and Unlearning Whiteness . Liverpool John Moores (PPT)
Berry, J. & Loke, G. (2011).Improving the degree attainment of Black and Minority Ethnic Students.York & London:Higher Education Academy andEquality Challenge Unit.
McIntosh, P. (1989) White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack. Peace & Freedom July/August 1989 pp10-12
University College London (2014).Video -Why is my curriculum white? Online: YouTube.
Research and reports
NUS (2010).Race for Equality.A report on the experiencesof Black students in furtherand higher education.London: National Union of Students.
Stevenson, J.A. (2012).Black and minority ethnic student degreeretention and attainment.York: Higher Education Academy.
Stevenson,J.A.(2012).An Exploration of the Link between Minority Ethnic and White Students’ Degree Attainment and Views of Their Future ‘Possible Selves’.Higher Education Studies,2, 4,103-113.
Care leavers
Plymouth University -Support and guidance for care leavers
Resources
The Buttle Trust -Informationabout the Buttle UK Quality Mark award for further and higher education
Research and reports
Cotton, D.,Kneale, P., & Nash.P.(2014) Investigating the experience of care leavers at Plymouth University. Final report.
Cotton, D., Nash, P. & Kneale, P. (2014).The Experience of Care leavers in UK HigherEducation.Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning 16, 3, 5-21.
Dixon, J., Wade, J., Byford, S., Weatherly, H. and Lee, J. (2006)Young PeopleLeaving Care: A Study of Costs and Outcomes. York: The University of York.
Disabled students
Plymouth University -Guide to Creating an Inclusive Learning Environment
Resources
Equality Challenge Unit -Case Studies:Learning from Disability Equality Schemes in Higher Education
Higher Education Academy -Guidance for education providers working with disabled students
University of Strathclyde -Creating an Accessible Curriculum For Students With Disabilities
Research and reports
Fuller, M. Bradley, A. & Healey, M. (2004). Incorporating disabled students within an inclusive higher education environment,Disability & Society19, 5, 455-468.
Gibson, S. (2012). Narrative accounts of university education: socioculturalperspectives of students with disabilities. Disability & Society, 27, 3, 353-369.
Rickson, M. (2010).Disability equality in higher education: a synthesis of research. York: Higher Education Academy.
Riddell, S., Tinklin, T. & Wilson, A. (2005). Disabled Students in Higher Education: Perspectives on Widening Access and Changing Policy. Oxon: Routledge.
International students
Plymouth University -Guidance for international students
PedRIO -Internationalisation and your curriculum
Resources
Higher Education Academy -Engaging home and international students: a guide for new lecturers
Higher Education Academy -Top Ten Tips for Teaching International Students
Higher Education Academy - Supporting international students in UK Higher Education: a staff development course
Research and reports
Carroll, J. & Ryan, J. (2005). Teaching International Students: Improving Learning for All. London: Routledge.
Crozier, G. & Davies, J. (2008). The trouble is they don’t mix: self‐segregation or enforced exclusion? Race Ethnicity and Education 11, 3, 285-301.
Jones, E. (2010) (ed).Internationalisationand the student voice:Higher educationperspectives.London: Routledge.
LGBTQ students
Plymouth University -Information and welfare support for LGBT students
Resources
Equality Challenge Unit-Guide to Supporting Trans Staff and Students in HE
Research and reports
Equality Challenge Unit (2009).The experiences of lesbian,gay and bisexual staff andstudents in higher education. London: ECU.
National Union of Students(2014). Education Beyond theStraight and Narrow:LGBT students’ experience in higher education. London: NUS.
LGBTQ-inclusivity in the higher education curriculum: a best practice guide. Birmingham: University of Birmingham. Gale, N. and Ward, N. (2017)
Mature students
Plymouth University -Guidance for students returning to study
Resources
University of Surrey -Guide to understanding the support needs of mature students
Research and reports
Reay, D., Ball, S. & David. M. (2002). It’s Taking Me a Long Time but I’ll get There in the End’: Mature students on access courses and higher education choice.British EducationalResearch Journal28, 1, 5-19.
Smith, J. (2008).Mature learners: a synthesis of research. York: Higher Education Academy:
Stevenson, J. & Clegg, S. (2013). ‘My past is a double edge sword’: temporality and reflexivity in mature learners,Studies in Continuing Education35,1, 17-29.
Religious students
Plymouth University -Information about Student religious groups
Resources
Equality Challenge Unit - Guide tosupporting the practice and expression of religion and belief amongst staff and students
Research and reports
Equality Challenge Unit (2011).Religion and belief in HE: researching the experiences of staff and students. London: Equality Challenge Unit.
Stevenson, J.A. (2013). Discourses of inclusion and exclusion: Religious students in UK higher education. Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning 14, 3, 27-43.