Work-Integrated Learning
This tool encourages you to reflect on the decisions that are made when developing an experiential learning opportunity, and how those decisions might be made differently to enable a more equitable and inclusive experience for students. As you review the various suggestions within this framework, you will find that there may be tweaks to your EL program or course that can be made easily, whereas others may take some time. This guide is therefore not meant to be a prescriptive list of actions; advancing equity and inclusion is an iterative and context-specific process.
This interactive self-directed learning resource was created in response to an identified gap for students participating in experiential learning activities. It serves as a preparatory tool for learners on how to navigate real-life scenarios they may encounter in the workplace. This resource consists of seven modules. Each module will introduce learners to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within the work context and their rights and responsibilities in the workplace as new professionals embarking on their post-graduate journeys. Learners will be taken through a series of brief simulated experiences, interactive self-assessments, reflections, insights from peers and professionals, as well as educational content on key issues in EDI. By the end of this resource, learners should be able to respond to issues of discrimination and become active participants in integrating equity in their professional and personal lives.
This booklet was created by bringing the academic community together to discuss the challenges associated with fieldwork and how members of the community have addressed those challenges. This has resulted in us identifying ten ways to make fieldwork more inclusive and accessible. This is not intended as a definite checklist to follow in order, but provides pointers, ideas, and support to improve field-based
learning and teaching, particularly at the undergraduate level.
Improved risk assessment forms and suggested approaches to considering hazards and appropriate mitigations that particularly affect those people with protected characteristics. These include the need to consider how laws and attitudes, such as those towards women, or LGBT+ people, may affect the safety of participants.
Ensuring taught fieldwork is a positive, generative, collective, and valuable experience for all participants requires considerations beyond course content. To guarantee safety and belonging, participants’ identities (backgrounds and protected characteristics) must be considered as a part of fieldwork planning and implementation. Furthermore, getting fieldwork right is an important step in disrupting the ongoing cycle of exclusion of participants from marginalised demographics.