Degrees of discrimination? An analysis of social mobility stagnation and 'class gaps' for HE students and graduates

This proposed research project has three central questions, to be addressed via secondary quantitative analysis and qualitative investigation:

1. Why is social mobility not being realised by low SES students/graduates and what role does bias and discrimination play in explaining the 'class gaps' ?

2. What structural changes and benefits could be engendered by encompassing class within an anti-discrimination framework, and how might subsequent HE policies close the 'class gaps' ?

3. How might the skills, cultural capital and lived experiences of low SES students/graduates be repositioned to bring about a stronger sense of belonging and value of working class identities ?