FINALLY! I am starting my research project. Something I have been excited to get started and after being a whole week in, I can say I am enjoying it.
The first part of my project is an extensive literature review which has been the focus this week. The literature review is to organise and explain what other research has been done in the subject area. Overall, I would say I have read over 30 different research papers and investigated educational frameworks. I have invested my time into beginning with researching into decolonisation in education and how this is taking an impact in UK universities. The decolonising of curriculum was highlighted through the ‘Rhodes Must Fall’ campaign in Cape Town, South Africa, and Oxford, UK in 2015. From the events, the student's union campaigns have followed on which then made the UK universities to consider how to start to decolonise the curriculum.
Diving into looking at decolonisation has been very intriguing and eye-opening to see how our education system needs to evolve to address the events and globalise histories to include the viewpoints of the colonised or enslaved people. This is important to highlight as it prevents the barriers created for different communities which are underrepresented in universities.
University is a personal investment of the cultural capital accrued through school and college education. It is also a compelling social displacement, where it can be intensified if a student is mature, an international student, is the first in their family to attend university, or is from an ethnic group which is under-represented in the university population.
Therefore, looking at a student’s transition to university is a huge period of change, where expectations have been created that can affect adaptability and success. For many students this is their first-time experiencing living away from home and they will be required to adapt to new academic and social responsibilities. Even though frameworks have been developed to support students transitions into higher education, it does remain under theorised.
Even though the project is pre-defined, carrying out the research has highlighted how important this topic is within our education system and the impact it can have globally. The subject is very motivational and something that is relatable so having the opportunity to explore it deeply resonates with me. I am hoping once my research is completed, I can contribute to help change the education policy in the future. Alongside my supervisor Stephanie Wake, we hope to contribute to the Student Education at University of Leeds changing the undergraduate curriculum to help future students.
Next Steps📝:
To continue the research of the subject area and the literature review. But, also to consider what methodology or research design I will be considering for part 2 of my project.