About Inclusive-Learning @ York

Background

Background

Inclusive-Learning@ York (formerly the Inclusive Learning, Teaching and Assessment (ILTA) project) was established to realise the objectives within the University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and the ILTA Policy Statement. It aims to provide support and guidance to staff on inclusive pedagogies and inclusive curricula, ensuring all our students gain the most they can from their education at the University of York.  

As an Access and Participation Plan funded project it will benefit all students, but will particularly support the engagement, continuation and attainment of under-represented groups.

The Inclusive-Learning@York Strategy Group has been established to champion the implementation of inclusive practice in learning, teaching and assessment and oversees the work of Inclusive-Learning@York. The Strategy Group is chaired by Dr Steve King (Associate Dean, Teaching, Learning and Students, Faculty of Sciences), and reports directly to the University Teaching Committee and the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Teaching, Learning and Students.

The Inclusive-Learning@York Special Interest Group brings together staff and students/student unions with an interest in inclusive learning, teaching and assessment and meets regularly to discuss and share good practice. 

Thematic Areas

Thematic Areas

Inclusive-learning @York covers 5 thematic areas:

Inclusive Curriculum; Inclusive Learning and Teaching Approaches; Accessibility of Learning, Teaching and Assessment; Academic Communities of Staff and Students; Co-construction, Students as Partners and Student Voice. 

More details about each area is below.

Meet the Team

Who is the Inclusive-Learning@York team?

Jess Penn (she/her): Interim Inclusive Learning Manager

I joined the Inclusive Learning team in April 2020. Areas of work I have led include the Decolonising and Diversifying the Curriculum Project, and I co-lead the Departmental Community Coordinator Project.

Get in touch: jess.penn@york.ac.uk 

Dr Tamlyn Ryan (she/her): Inclusive Learning Advisor

I joined the team in August 2021 from the Learning Enhancement team which I joined in 2012. Currently, I lead on the Award Gap Research Project, and work with Access and Outreach on the Academic Assignment component of their YorJourney programme. I work with Student Support on the Mature Student Retention project and the Step Ahead Induction event. I also continue to work with the Learning Enhancement team as a Study Coach.

Get in touch: tamlyn.ryan@york.ac.uk; award-gap-project@york.ac.uk 

Nick Glover (he/him): Inclusive Learning Adviser

I joined the Inclusive Learning Team from the University of York Students’ Union (YUSU) in May 2022. Having previously led on the Department Community Coordinator (DCC) work from the YUSU side, I have continued to support the development of the project as we move towards a new phase in 2022-23, focused on student-led induction. A key area of work I’m hoping to develop further is the embedding and embodying of inclusive practice through student-staff partnerships.

Get in touch: nicholas.glover@york.ac.uk 

Katie Smith (she/her): Academic Skills Tutor- Peer Assisted Learning (Inclusive-Learning)

I joined the team in June 2021. My role involves collaborating with departments that wish to run Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) schemes in their departments. I offer consultations, training and support for each department across the university, as well as working on improving PAL and putting together data for analysis and evaluation. I also work on other projects within the team, for example, supporting both the Departmental Community Coordinator and INcDCC Project, the ICC Project and the Award Gap Research Project.

Get in touch: katherine.smith@york.ac.uk 

Alice Rawson (she/her): Research and Communications Placement Student (Inclusive-Learning)

I am currently undertaking a placement year with Inclusive-Learning and have been with the team since September 2021. Within my role I have been working to improve the visibility of the team within the University alongside supporting a range of projects within the team, including the development of resources for the Inclusive-Learning toolkit and the organisation of staff-student discussion events throughout the academic year. 

Get in touch: alice.rawson@york.ac.uk 

Rachel Barnes (she/her): Research and Communications Placement Student (Inclusive-Learning)

I am currently on a placement year with Inclusive-Learning, I started in my role during September of 2021, and my role will finish mid September of 2022. Within my role I focus on expanding our outreach across the university, raising the profile of Inclusive-Learning so that we can carry out the work we do more effectively. In particular, I try to focus on getting students and staff involved in conversations together. One part of this is creating student-facing resources and tools to support inclusive practice and get more student involvement in Inclusive-Learning. 

Get in touch: rachel.barnes@york.ac.uk