Equity in Mathematics Education

Abstract: 

In this talk I will outline (some) contemporary research tackling the questions of equity, access and disadvantage in mathematics education. I will also reflect on my experience in supporting the mathematical learning of students at Western Sydney University, many of whom are from non-English speaking backgrounds, are the first in their families to study at university, or are transitioning into higher education from disadvantaged educational, social or economic circumstances.

About the speaker

Dr Jim Pettigrew is currently working as a lecturer at Western Sydney University (WSU) within the Mathematics Education Support Hub. Since completing his PhD in mathematics at UNSW in 2009, he has worked in a range of academic teaching and research roles. His teaching has been broad, covering areas such as developmental assessment for literacy leaders in the Catholic primary school system, fundamentals of teaching for tutors at Deakin University, and first level calculus for science students at WSU. His research work has mostly centred around the development and evaluation of student learning support programs, creation of online assessment systems, implementation of university-wide learning technologies, and analysis of staff and student digital preparedness for teaching and learning.