Building a more equitable, inclusive and responsive education system was the theme when students from four University of Northampton Master’s Degree courses came together to host a conference entitled Equity Now – Education for the Changing World.
The conference, which was also broadcast online, brought together educators, researchers, community leaders, students and practitioners to discuss how education can better support learners from diverse backgrounds and help them thrive in an increasingly complex world.
Organised by students from the UON’s Master’s Degree courses in Education, Special Educational Needs and Inclusion, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and Infant and Family Mental Health and Wellbeing, the event also featured guest speakers from education, psychology, policing and academia.
Opening the conference, MA student Aaron Lomas highlighted the importance of moving beyond equality towards equity, ensuring that barriers to participation, learning and achievement are identified and removed.
He said: “In practice, equity in education is about ensuring that success is not determined by postcode, parental income, or previous disadvantage, but by each learner’s opportunity to engage meaningfully with high-quality learning.”
Among the keynote speakers was Dr Patrice Seuwou, UON Associate Professor in Learning & Teaching, who explored the impact of artificial intelligence on education and assessment. He encouraged educators to embrace technological change while designing assessment methods that remain inclusive, authentic and resilient in the age of AI.
Dr Seuwou said: “We have to find different ways of designing assessment that allow students to demonstrate knowledge and skills while making effective and ethical use of AI technologies.”
Dr Helen Caldwell, UON’s Deputy Head of the School of Education and Society, said: “This conference is a showcase for future leaders in education, Master’s students whose studies explore research and practical projects addressing inclusion, accessibility, wellbeing and educational innovation.
“The event reflects the University of Northampton’s commitment to social impact and demonstrates how students are contributing to important conversations about equity, inclusion and the future of education.”