NSW Equity Consortium

In collaboration with schools and teachers, the NSW Equity Consortium has developed the Imagined Futures outreach program targeting students in whole-cohort year-groups between Years 7 and 9.

The program uses literacy as a vehicle to encourage students to conceptualise their ‘imagined futures’ and positively impact their learning trajectory. Each university undertakes a single literacy-focused learning initiative of four-to-five weeks for one year group. It then repeats this year-on-year.

Year 7 program – led by Macquarie University 
Year 8 program – led by UTS
Year 9 program – led by UNSW

The project facilitates a longitudinal research inquiry which will follow students over the first five years of their secondary schooling to explore their engagement in the program.

The research is embedded into the design of the program, with teachers co-delivering the program and engaging in professional development focused on participatory research and data literacy to inform classroom practice.   

Each university is responsible for evaluating its own component of the program and all evaluation will be based on a shared Theory of Change and evaluation framework. The three main components include:

The Map: possibilities 

Although students from underrepresented backgrounds may aspire for post-school education, they may not have access to adequate knowledge to make informed choices about tertiary study. We aim to be a reliable source of information about tertiary pathways that students may not otherwise have access to. 

The Compass: navigational capacity 

Students who are underrepresented in higher education can face complex challenges when navigating unfamiliar tertiary education and workplace environments. By developing their capacity to articulate what kind of learner they are, how they learn best, and how their own learning is connected to their future selves, students can develop their own learner identity which they can use to navigate their education journey.

The Key: academic attainment 

Research shows there is a strong relationship between socioeconomic status and educational attainment. Building students’ capacity for academic attainment and their understanding of subject knowledge in the context of future options will open more post-school options. 

Universities

Schools

• Campbelltown Performing Arts
• Prairiewood High School
• Punchbowl Boys' School
• Bass High School
• Cabramatta High School
• Bonnyrigg High School

Partner Universities

UTS, Macquarie University and UNSW jointly fund the NSW Equity Consortium through strategic university funding, philanthropic donations and endowments.

Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP)

The consortium is supported by the Australian Government through the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP).

Collaboration and Innovation Fund

The consortium is funded by the NSW Government, Department of Education, through the Collaboration and Innovation Fund which aims to enhance collaboration between universities and the NSW Government to address social, economic, and environmental challenges.