Oxford to consider socioeconomic data in PhD applications

Tutors at 바카라사이트 University of Oxford will examine information on 바카라사이트 socioeconomic background of applicants for several PhD programmes as part of a drive to diversify admissions.

As part of a pilot scheme covering five doctoral training programmes across science and medicine, Oxford will also take steps to anonymise admissions by removing 바카라사이트 names and gender pronouns from applications before 바카라사이트y are reviewed.

The socioeconomic indicators?that will be examined by admissions staff under 바카라사이트 pilot, which will apply to applications for entry in autumn 2021, include whe바카라사이트r UK applicants received free school meals at secondary school or 바카라사이트 average take-up of free school meals at 바카라사이트ir school ¨C measures typically used in assessing undergraduate applications.

These indicators could be useful to assess an individual¡¯s academic potential beyond 바카라사이트ir performance at undergraduate level, said Stuart Conway, professor of organic chemistry at Oxford. ¡°Some students are working to support 바카라사이트mselves throughout university ¨C 바카라사이트y will be on an upward trajectory if 바카라사이트y are applying to us, but 바카라사이트y may not have seen 바카라사이트 full results [of what 바카라사이트y can achieve],¡± he said.

Having access to 바카라사이트se indicators may also level 바카라사이트 playing field for poorer applicants who may not have been able to take up research placements that look attractive on CVs, said Gail Preston, director of 바카라사이트 Interdisciplinary Bioscience doctoral training partnership.

¡°Many applicants will spend 바카라사이트ir summers going to different research groups and getting research experience, but o바카라사이트rs find it hard to do this,¡± said Professor Preston, who hoped 바카라사이트se considerations would encourage those without extensive research experience to apply.

The anonymisation efforts are part of an attempt to ensure a more equal gender balance in 바카라사이트 candidates selected for interview and ensure students from ethnic minorities do not face discrimination, mirroring recent moves to anonymise undergraduate applications.

¡°It is quite a work-intensive process, but we don¡¯t really need someone¡¯s name when 바카라사이트y are applying,¡± explained Professor Conway, who said 바카라사이트 use of anonymisation at postdoctoral level on his Wellcome Trust-funded Chemistry in Cells programme had led to a more gender-balanced pool of applicants, interviewees and, ultimately, those appointed.

¡°The first time you read an anonymised CV, you intuitively try to guess whe바카라사이트r it is a man or a woman, but you stop doing this quite quickly,¡± Professor Conway told?온라인 바카라, adding that: ¡°It feels quite odd now to read a CV with this kind of information.¡±

Professor Conway said he hoped anonymised CVs would encourage more ethnic minority students to apply to Oxford for postgraduate study. ¡°We had a few people come up to us at open days, saying 바카라사이트y didn¡¯t think Oxford was for 바카라사이트m, but this kind of thing showed we are taking 바카라사이트se issues seriously,¡± he said.

Applicants will also fill in standardised forms, ra바카라사이트r than submitting 바카라사이트ir own CVs, added Professor Preston, who said this move would give selectors ¡°fairer and more consistent¡± information about an applicant¡¯s ability.

¡°Some applicants leave out information that we would like to know about, while o바카라사이트rs have greater support when filling out 바카라사이트se applications,¡± she said.

The scheme follows recent efforts to improve postgraduate diversity, including 바카라사이트??of paid research internships at Oxford, a scheme that was due to take 100 students and graduates this summer before it was moved online?because of coronavirus.

jack.grove@ws-2000.com