VC's Parliament showcase

‘Breaking cycles of disadvantage’ is a core mission of LJMU, the Vice-Chancellor has told an audience at the House of Commons.

Professor Mark Power was speaking at an event hosted by the Purpose Coalition, headed by former government minister Justine Greening, which campaigns for a level playing field of opportunity for all in Britain.

As a long-standing member of the Coalition, LJMU was invited, along with Hope University, to co-host the event where it showcased its mission and stories of success in widening participation in higher education.

With 45% of LJMU students coming from the lowest socio-economic groups – Q1 and Q2 – the university is a major player in using education to break down barriers in society.

Professor Power told parliamentarians: “How we break the cycles of disadvantage is core to not only our values but our day-to-day conversations and deliberations as university leaders.

“LJMU is deeply committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity because we value the richness diverse student communities bring.

“Liverpool is steeped in diversity. It is the history of our city, a port and place of migration and immigration and of opportunity. And this applies to not just richness of races but of genders and class.”

The Purpose Coalition launched a special brochure at the event to showcase the work of LJMU and Liverpool Hope in creating opportunity for all.

The brochure outlines how we work with care experienced and disabled students, specific ethnicities like Roma, and people who are ex-Forces and or have experience of the criminal justice system, and it carried cases studies in Law, Construction, Nursing and a feature on how LJMU is working with Liverpool City Region’s Racial Justice Unit to guide regional employers on D&I issues.

Mark added: “I believe these people’s stories are among the most powerful in the university sector and LJMU will always be on their side, working with them, for a better, more equal society.”