New Scottish Social Mobility Society Programme Tackles Alienation at Edinburgh University
At the University of Edinburgh, a significant number of Scottish students have been feeling increasingly marginalised amidst a predominantly international and non-Scottish UK student body. In response, they've established the Scottish Social Mobility Society (SSMS) to address these concerns and foster a more inclusive environment
Many Scottish students report encountering subtle forms of discrimination, often referred to as microaggressions, related to their accents, socioeconomic backgrounds, and cultural differences. For instance, law student Shanley Breese recalls being told her accent was hard to understand and being asked to repeat herself when using Scots language terms. Such experiences led her to withdraw from participating in tutorials. Additionally, overhearing derogatory remarks about high street brands like Primark and TK Maxx, as well as discussions implying that wealth equates to hard work, further exacerbated feelings of alienation.
In light of these challenges, Breese co-founded the SSMS to provide a supportive community for Scottish students, particularly those from working-class backgrounds. The society aims to combat feelings of exclusion and address the subtle acts of discrimination prevalent on campus. Their mission is to ensure that Scottish students feel valued and included within the university community.
The University of Edinburgh has acknowledged these concerns and issued guidance to promote inclusivity. Advising students to "be curious about their interests and aspirations rather than their background" and to "try to undo some of the unhelpful mythology about the relationship of wealth to intelligence or hard work," the university aims to tackle classism and discrimination. However, members of the SSMS feel that this guidance is insufficient and somewhat patronising, viewing it as a superficial solution to a deeper, systemic issue.
A significant factor contributing to the underrepresentation of Scottish students is the university's admissions policy. Due to funding structures, Scottish universities cap the number of local students, as their tuition fees are covered by the Scottish government. Consequently, universities admit a higher number of students from other parts of the UK and overseas, who pay higher tuition fees. This practice has led to a campus demographic where only about 25% of students are from Scotland.
The SSMS is advocating for more comprehensive measures to address these issues. They suggest that the university should implement structural changes to create an environment where all students, regardless of their background, feel included and respected. This includes better training for staff to understand the Scottish education system and the unique challenges faced by Scottish students.
The establishment of the Scottish Social Mobility Society highlights the need for greater awareness and action to support Scottish students at the University of Edinburgh. While the university has taken initial steps to address these concerns, ongoing dialogue and concrete measures are essential to ensure that all students feel valued and included in the academic community.
