On 11 November 2024, ACSES Visiting Scholar Laurence Lasselle from St Andrews University in the UK presented an overview of her research on widening participation in higher education.
Laurence’s work delves into Scotland’s Fair Access Action Plan. Implemented in 2016, the plan aims to foster access to HE for learners experiencing socio-economic disadvantages. In her presentation, she highlighted the historical stark gap in university access for young people from the 20% most deprived areas and raised a critical concern. Rural deprivation is often overlooked in the plan, although rural youth face even greater barriers to higher education.
During her time at ACSES, Laurence will investigate how Australia’s broader equity policy frameworks can inform Scotland’s approach to Fair Access and contribute to an international dialogue on disadvantage and social mobility. By comparing the Scottish and Australian systems, she will consider how contextualising rural and urban deprivation can enhance policies for equitable access.