WISE is delighted to be collaborating with the Department of Economics at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) on a new research project, which will support students when making their applications to university.
Research shows that when making choices in their applications, most students prioritise information that they hear informally from peers and parents, rather than information from more formal sources (such as admissions guides and UCAS / university websites). Because of differences in who low and high socioeconomic status students know and interact with, this pattern might contribute to socioeconomic inequality in access to higher-tariff courses, which recent research has documented in the UK.
This research study will be run with Year 12 students and look at how different interventions can influence the choices that young people make around the universities and courses they apply for. The project will ultimately help improve equity in access to university education in the UK.
We believe this research will provide some key insights into how we can further close the gender gap within the STEM pipeline.
School Involvement
WISE & MIT researchers are looking for schools/colleges who would be happy to participate in the research in the Spring Term 2024. School involvement will include:
- 1-2 hr in-person workshop on university applications with Year 12 students randomised at the classroom level
- 2 x 15-min surveys from participating students
- Data sharing agreement for relevant student academic records
If this opportunity is something you would be keen to explore further, then please complete the form here and we will be in touch with further details.
Once the research has been completed in early 2025, WISE and MIT’s Department of Economics will showcase the findings at a launch event which you will be invited to, if you choose to participate.
If you have any questions about this project, please email Katherine Watson on k.watson@wisecampaign.org.uk.
Information Webinar: Tuesday 14th May - 4:00pm-4:45pm
Hear from Nagisa Tadjfar and Kartikeya Vira, researchers at the Department of Economics at MIT who have partnered with WISE to run a research study on how to help students to make appropriate choices when applying to university and improve equity in access to university education in the UK.
This webinar will provide more details on our proposed study and what your school’s participation would entail.
Participating in this study will provide great benefits to your school as the MIT Research team will give invaluable insights into how your pupils make decisions that impact their future careers and their communities. The team will provide data-driven analysis to benchmark how well your students are maximising their academic potential compared to other schools. In addition to this, the participating students themselves will benefit from the later stages of this study, by gaining a university student mentor.
Agenda
16:00 Introduction to the WISE/MIT Collaboration (Katherine Watson, WISE)
16:05 Through the eyes of the employer: Benefits to your school and getting young people involved (Jess Bates, AtkinsRealis)
16:10 Why your school should sign up for this WISE/MIT research (Nagisa Tadjfar and Kartikeya Vira, MIT Department of Economics)
16:30 Q&A
16:40 Next Steps and Closing Remarks
16:45 Finish
A special thank you to WISE Member AtkinsRealis in helping support this collaboration through their school supply chain, bringing awareness to under-represented young people through their STEM Governors.