Tackling Degree Awarding Gaps in Higher Education: Call for papers
Date: 18th May 2026
Location: London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 OAA - in person
NERUPI is inviting submissions for the Degree Awarding Gaps Conference 2026, an in-person event exploring persistent disparities in higher education outcomes and practical approaches to achieving equity.
Despite over a decade of sector attention in UK higher education, persistent disparities remain in undergraduate degree outcomes across race, class, disability and other minoritised groups. Research has shown that these disparities do not stem from student deficits but from systemic and institutional factors manifesting as deep-seated cultural, pedagogical and curricula practices that underpin the degree awarding gap. Although the OfS’ 2018 target to reduce the Black–White degree awarding gap signalled a national commitment, progress in eliminating the gaps has been slow and uneven.
However, meaningful transformation is possible through strong institutional leadership, purposeful collaboration, innovative practice and sustained commitment to success for all. This conference brings together practitioners (access/outreach, student success, academic development staff) academics, researchers and students to interrogate root causes, explore solutions, and share practical approaches to embedding equity and belonging across higher education, with the aim of eliminating awarding gaps.
Conference Themes
- Race, ethnicity, and intersectionality in student degree outcomes
- Disability, neurodiversity, and inclusive learning
- Class, cost of living, and material inequalities
- Curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment reform
- Student engagement, belonging, and representation
- Institutional systems, leadership, and accountability
- Evaluating impact and measuring progress
Submission Guidelines
We invite proposals for:
- Presentations: 20 minutes, followed by 10 minutes Q&A
- Workshops / Practice Examples: 45 minutes interactive sessions
Please submit your proposal and any relevant documents by 17:00 on Friday 30 January 2026 to: NERUPI@bath.ac.uk
If you have queries or wish to discuss your idea, please get in touch. We particularly welcome submissions from students and early-career researchers.