Representation within education is paramount for inspiration and the lack of constitutes to barriers within institutions, which can have a direct impact on student attainment and retention (Finnigan, n.d.). Deficiencies and barriers within policy and systems provide hindrances to marginalised groups who may have intersectional traits, like me (Kimberlé Crenshaw, 2020).
As it stands, I look for professionals who can contextualise the subject matter of employability, on the professional platform and within my network. The majority lack academic background and student involvement experience. Nevertheless, it is acknowledged that the expected behaviour is not made clear, and especially, there is no proof in the form of consent or agreement from all parties.
In my IP Unit my proposed artifact, I suggested the amendment to UAL code of conduct to reference and implement the Equality Act, 2010 government legislation (GOV.UK, 2010). Additionally, it should be divided into new sections under the current headings that cover language, positionality, dress code, the use of UAL property and resources, post-delivery engagement with students, and UAL’s responsibilities. By agreement, this revised version would be given to outside parties before contributions to recognise and establish the standards that must be met to protect our spaces, comply with UAL rules, and meet the expectations of the creative sector.
With consideration of my IP artifact, the ARP brief and how my positionality fashions the work that I do, I was steered to the question:
Question: How can The Employability Hub at LCC support the industry in social equity in engagement and placemaking?
Question: How can The Employability Hub at LCC support industry engagement to be equitable and inclusive?
Link to Research Question Journey: Milestone infographic ARP.xlsx
My APR will be a result of being directly targeted with microaggressions, in May 2023; a colleague posted an external’s use of racial slurs (within the context of the discrimination) during a session based on compliance and complaints. If my amendment of the code had been in circulation the external would have understood the expectations and could have been held accountable for her language. Which in turn would have prevented my colleague from feeling the need to discriminate against me.
In the 1970s Harvard University psychiatrist Chester M. Pierce coined the term microaggressions: defined as derogatory behaviours which are used by non–African Americans, to insult and dismiss African Americans (Pierce et al., 1978). This is not a silo instance of being exposed to subtle bigotry, so I am very familiar with the terminologies. Nonetheless is always disheartening, can deplete trust and can affect mental health.
According to the National Geographic site, modern science regards race as a social construct of an identity that is assigned based on the rules made by society (Blakemore, 2019). My IP unit empowered me to acknowledge that the concept of race may not be absolute. However, my APR unit has empowered me to navigate a negative experience, to support and protect others with intersectional traits, from perpetrators.
References:
Blakemore, E. (2019). Race and ethnicity, explained. [online] National Geographic. Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/history/2019/02/race-and-ethnicity-explained.
Johnson, N.N. and Johnson, T.L. (2019). Microaggressions. Navigating Micro-Aggressions Toward Women in Higher Education, pp.1–22. doi:https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-5942-9.ch001.
Kimberlé Crenshaw (2020). On intersectionality : essential writings. New York: New Press.
Taking an Inclusive Approach to Enterprise Education. (n.d.). Available at: https://www.arts.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0028/386236/Taking-an-inclusive-approach-to-enterprise-education-PDF-216KB.pdf [Accessed 27 Dec. 2024].
Pierce C., Carew J., Pierce-Gonzalez D., Willis D. (1978). An experiment in racism: TV commercials. In Pierce C. (Ed.), Television and education (pp. 62–88). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
GOV.UK (2010). Equality Act 2010. [online] legislation.gov.uk. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents