KU diversity guru Nona Mcduff set to shape the future of UK higher education

KU’s diversity expert has been selected to become a member of the new government panel aimed at improving teaching in universities.

Nona McDuff, KU director of equality, diversity and inclusion, was selected out of 1,200 applicants to join the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) panel, a selection of 23 people who will help decide the future of the way the government assess UK universities.

McDuff, who is also the chair of the Higher Education Race Action Group, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to affect something that will have an impact on universities for decades to come.”

The panel, which aims to “recognise and reward excellent learning and teaching” is made up of students, academics, and experts in widening participation (the inclusion of students from a range of backgrounds).

McDuff, who saw KU to victory for its work in equality at the Guardian University Awards 2014, said that diversity and equality should be implemented in the new framework.

“It’s vital that institutions supporting widening participation are recognised in the TEF and that, going forward, diversity and inclusion become part of the mainstream culture in higher education, rather than just an add-on carried out as a tick-box exercise,” said McDuff.

Chief executive of the Higher Education Funding Council Madeleine Atkins said: “We are delighted with the calibre of panel members, who we have appointed for their standing with higher education providers and students, and their significant commitment to excellence in learning and teaching.”