Advancing Equity: Exploring EDI in Higher Education Institutes

Higher education institutions (HEI’s) are experiencing growing diversity amongst student populations due to global influences, neoliberal policies, and efforts to broaden access. In this context, counteracting colonial legacies and addressing deficit-based attitudes requires a focus on cultural proficiency, inclusive teaching, and transformative pedagogy. This Research Topic focuses on emphasising the urgent necessity for transformative discussions in higher education, centring on the critical exploration of "advancing equity and exploring equality, diversity and inclusion in Higher Education Institutions."

Our primary aim is to establish a scholarly forum wherein researchers, educators, and practitioners can share pioneering research and reflective perspectives on interventions that explore inclusivity within higher education institutes. Our goal is to promote an inclusive dialogue that transcends conventional limits and addresses the issues faced by marginalised individuals within the higher education setting. Consequently, we endeavor to curate a collection of works that not only highlight the challenges but also showcase the successes of embedding inclusivity into higher education. By developing a comprehensive understanding of the obstacles and prospects in providing an equitable learning experience, this collection of work can potentially serve as a repository of best practices, thereby shaping the higher education landscape for the better.

We invite submissions that cover various aspects, encompassing both theoretical conceptualisations and empirical studies, such as pedagogical innovations, access and widening participation programs, research activism and outreach, and institutional transformations in EDI. We welcome high-quality Original Research articles, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Systematic Reviews, and more.

Contributions addressing, but not limited to, the following areas are encouraged:

The evolving composition of staff and student demographics;

Interventions targeting the reduction of Awarding Gaps;

Pedagogical approaches and strategies for embedding EDI;

Inclusive practices in higher education;

Collaborative resource development for fostering inclusive learning environments;

Improving post-graduate outcomes and employability for marginalized groups;

The utilization of inclusive language;

Decolonial perspectives on technology and innovation;

Exploration of neurodiversity in higher education.