Disadvantage not destiny: Using generational research in university archives to track social mobility

Fewings, Gill and Sawyer, Ann (2025) Disadvantage not destiny: Using generational research in university archives to track social mobility. BERA Blog.

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Abstract

This blog post was inspired by the BERA Brian Simon Research Project that undertook historical educational research and explored the impact of higher education (HE) on ‘disadvantaged’ students. The archives are curated and cared for by Gil, with co-author Ann a regular volunteer on archival projects. Reflecting on the findings from the Far away from the ivory tower research project highlighted Plymouth Marjon’s sustained and innovative approach to social mobility. Milburn (2012, introduction, our emphasis) defines social mobility as making sure that all people, irrespective of background, circumstance, or class, have ‘an equal opportunity to get on in life. That entails breaking the transmission of disadvantage from one generation to the next.’ Blandford (2020) and Gruitjers et al. (2024) argue that social mobility is more than ‘meritocracy’ – it is dependent upon propitious circumstances, including an effective and appropriate education, as shown by the stories we include in this blog post.

Item Type:	Article
Depositing User:	Ms Raisa Burton
Date Deposited:	27 Nov 2025 14:09
Last Modified:	27 Nov 2025 14:09
URI:	https://marjon.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/18050

Actions (login required)

Edit Item