Session Outline

The role of personal tutoring in higher education is critical for enhancing student academic performance, with evidence highlighting improved outcomes for students who engage with personal tutors (Casuso-Holgado et al., 2013; Stuart, Willocks, & Browning, 2019, Holland et al., 2020). However, broader challenges such as infrequent tutor-student interactions, affect both satisfaction and success (Calabrese et al., 2022). Additionally, personal academic tutors (PATs) encounter further challenges due to limited opportunities for ongoing professional development, particularly in areas of cultural and racial sensitivity. This limitation may hinder the ability to effectively address and meet diverse students needs. (Alberts 2022; Barton, 2023).

Racial disparities in higher education are strikingly evident. Students from racially minoritised backgrounds experience significantly higher dropout rates and lower academic achievements compared to their peers. A notable factor contributing to this is racism, with reports indicating that up to 5% of these students leave their studies due to such experiences (OfS, 2023; EHRC, 2020). This session aims to delve into the experiences of racially minoritised students and assist practitioners in identifying and addressing specific race-related barriers faced by their students.

Key Themes:

Ethnicity-Related Disparities in Higher Education: Exploring the factors that contribute to the lower academic attainment and continuation rates.

Overcoming psychosocial challenges through the advising relationship: This theme will cover the challenges experienced by students that can be addressed throughout the advising process, emphasizing the need for a better understanding of and approach to diverse student needs.