Work

Words matter: the language of widening participation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This discussion article draws on the authors’ extensive experience to reflect on the impact of the language of widening participation on learners, practitioners and researchers in higher education. Noting different but related terms are used in the UK and Australia, the historic development of the phrase ‘widening participation’ and its reductive acronym ‘WP’ in policy is explored and problematised. Recommendations are made for the sector to critique the taken‐for‐granted use of the ‘widening participation’ phrase for greater inclusivity.

Source: Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning

DOI: 10.5456/wpll.27.2.188

Authors: Stuart Billingham, John Butcher

Institutions: York St John University, The Open University

Language: English

Topic: Higher Education Research Studies

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Quality education, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

OpenAlex ID: W4413999513

FWCI:

Cites: 3

Cited by:

Related to: 10