UAL’s Climate, Racial and Social Justice principles state:
“Design for human equity, social and racial justice by mobilising critical thinking, humbly questioning the norms, practices and biases embedded in our societies and cultures. We recognise and reflect on our individual actions and societal values through self-awareness and reflective practice.”
Professionally, I am in full agreement of embedding this principle, within my practice (employability) as DPS encourages KE, networking and the development of professionalism.
Within a group of peers, during an in-person class was discussed the obstacles that exist for students undertaking DPS. The main issues revolve around class, finances, caring responsibilities and the attitude of the institution and industry toward work experience. It was noted that the industry should pay students reasonably for students’ work. But it was also acknowledged that the industry demands students as they KNOW that students are willing to work for less than their industry counterparts, due to desperation for the experience.
This conflict of professional and personal interest has led me to question students as to if they can undertake DPS, as in reality undertaking a DPS year has financial implications, which could affect mental, emotional and physical well-being.
To conclude, social justice implies accessibility. But the lack of transparency in terms of DPS, could set our students up to fail rather than prosper. Within my group, we discussed solutions for DPS inclusive of making the program more supportive with criteria-based financial provisions. Another suggestion was to have another option of work experience (maybe in conjunction with industry), which would not separate to classes (background) or financial advantages of students; refrain from causing social injustice, and result in students comfortably assessing the program.
References
UAL UAL’s Climate, Racial and Social Justice principles – Laura Knight – Teaching Enhancement Team – Academics1 Dec 2022
https://canvas.arts.ac.uk/documents/sppreview/e559543e-1db7-4154-b7c4-d843861603ad