Education for Social Justice Framework Centre for Teaching Enhancement

Education for Social Justice Framework (ESJF)

The Higher Education sector continues to grapple with the wicked problem of differential outcomes between student groups at key points in the lifecycle: continuation, degree award and graduate destinations. The most prominent gaps are those between White and Black as well as minoritised students. There are also gaps between the most and least advantaged students – and between young and mature learners.  

Inspired by the success of an inclusive curriculum framework at other diverse institutions, our Framework has been crafted by a group of 30 staff, students and the Students’ Union as a values-led framework which combines principles of inclusive pedagogy (drawing on the 2015 Mountford-Zimdars et al HEFCE publication) with a values-based vision of a curriculum which reflects the mission of London Met. 

The Education for Social Justice Framework is in part a response to the challenge to eliminate our continuation and awarding gaps. However, our overriding motivation to introduce the framework is because we believe our curricula and practice must align with principles of equity, with who our students are, and the challenges facing London and its communities. 

In his seminal work Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Paolo Freire spoke of liberation through a praxis that invites continual reflection at both the individual and institutional level – our ambition with the framework is that it will focus our pedagogy for a wider purpose – far removed from a deficit, or banking model of education where information is deposited into the minds of students – instead we undertake an unlearning and relearning of the world we live in, reimagining an equitable future together in partnership with our students. The ESJ will encourage us to consider the impact of our choices in learning design, it will also lead to the transformation of institutional processes so that every student can fulfil their potential.  

The Centre for Teaching Enhancement works across London Met to ensure the ESJF is having an impact in all areas relating to learning, teaching and assessment, and works closely with the Centre for Equity and Inclusion in maintaining the social justice focus of our mission to transform lives through the power of education. More information about the ESJF can be found on the Teaching Success Hub.