Episode 9: Delivering Outreach and Widening Participation Virtually (UK-HOME)

Aaron Porter, Associate Director at IDP Connect is joined by Caroline McDonald (Director of Access and Engagement) at Birbeck University and Alex Blower (Access and Participation Manager) at the Arts University Bournemouth.  

Aaron discusses key themes around the delivery of outreach and widening participation in the virtual age.

Over the last 14 months the pandemic has presented a huge challenge to universities, most of the focus has been on the experience of current students – the impact on delivering outreach and participation and the fact it needed to transform overnight has been discussed less.

The panel will discuss how lockdown has changed their outreach activities including some stand out approaches in relation to virtual engagement.  The panel also discuss the challenge reaching students virtually and how universities have managed to overcome this obstacle.

Additionally the panel discuss how virtual opportunities have made it possible to engage with non-traditional potential applicants and the changing way they are interacting with schools and colleges in the sector.