STEM conference 2019: A foundation for diversity

STEM-related learning and employment is well documented as being under-representative for people with certain protected characteristics. Across the sector there has been a strong commitment to equality inclusion and diversity with considerable effort being focused on creating opportunities and reducing barriers which to date seem to have had limited effect on cohort diversity. A foundation year is a positive example of one such opportunity and in our experience aids in the provision of a diverse cohort for undergraduate studies. Here we discuss the impact on diversity that 10 years of the Engineering Foundation Year has had at Aston University.