Working to make a positive difference in the experiences of our PGM students
People of the Global Majority
People of the Global Majority (PGM) is a collective term for people of Indigenous, African, Asian, or Latin American descent, constituting approximately 85% of the global population.
PGM is an inclusive term adopted by the University and Students’ Union to recognise different racial and ethnic groups within this diverse world.
What do your PGM Ambassadors do?
PGM Ambassadors are students whose work includes, but is not limited to:
- working alongside the Students' Union and the University in developing and running student-led campaigns focused on building an inclusive culture – different voices, one community – that makes a positive difference in the lives and experiences of our students and staff.
- to seek out, listen & act upon feedback and opinions from our PGM students about their student experience while studying at University, and to amplify their voices within the University where there is a lack of diversity in decision making.
- to actively lobby and contribute to the work of the University in tackling the Awarding Gap;
- to audit the University for any implicit racism
Awarding Gap
The Awarding Gap is the difference in the proportion of First or 2:1 degrees being awarded to different groups of students, particularly between students from a White background and students from a People of the Global Majority (PGM) background.
- The biggest gap in Portsmouth - between UK White students and Black students - stands at more than 25% in many areas
- The awarding gap impacts a large number of our students. More than a quarter (28%) are from a PGM background.
PGM Ambassadors have an important role in raising awareness of the Awarding Gap. This includes challenging and supporting the University to close the Awarding Gap, with a particular focus on decolonising the curriculum, diversifying student experience, proactively encouraging more coordinated and better-funded heritage months for PGM students and supporting the student population and the community in racial campaigns.
PGM Ambassadors discuss the Awarding Gap
Our People of the Global Majority (PGM) student ambassadors share their experiences of the awarding gap and what it means to them.
The Awarding Gap is a failure in the educational system where we see a discrepancy between what white students managed to graduate with and what's considered a good degree and what PGM students managed to graduate with. White students tend to find it easier to connect on an interpersonal level with lecturers and staff.
We are not able to speak up and ask our questions. We are not able to relate to the examples or even the colloquialisms used by the professors.
I've noticed there's kind of a pattern where non-white students are treated like we know less than our white students. If I was asked a question in a lecture they wouldn't really answer the question. They would focus on the part that I didn't really ask, if that makes sense? I don't really reach out to lecturers unless I really, really need help. If anything, I'll ask my friends. I'll ask people in the group chat we have on our course, or I'll just use Google, honestly.
You put in so much effort, and it's not a guarantee that you're going to come out with a desired result. Going forward, when someone looks at your transcript, they're going to judge you by that, and that might not be a true reflection of what you can or cannot do.
The University could approach it from a number of angles. That could be by diversifying the curriculum, where thy try and actually show representation from all cultures. It could be even by bringing in external speakers.
With speaker events. We're trying to diversify the actual speakers to include more PGM speakers and women as well because it's very male-focussed.
Working together with the people who are being affected, I understand how I'm being affected by the Awarding Gap more than anyone else. The University cannot work under the assumption that A or B or C is going to be beneficial to me: how about you ask me?
I strongly believe creating awareness among students is really, really important. And taking ownership that yes, this is something that we need to address, and soon.
It's a heart breaking thing. People will enter university already at a disadvantage and lots of PGM students aren't aware of it, which I feel like is an even bigger problem.
I don't think anyone really knows about the Awarding Gap. I didn't know about it until I did the job.
We have to talk about it. The University has to give a voice to it so everybody knows that we do know there is a problem, and we have to all work together to ensure that this problem is being solved.
Success to me is a situation where the Awarding Gap no longer exists, with equitable opportunities for all PGM students.
I guess being able to experience uni the same way as non PGM people experience it.
Seeing PGM students feel comfortable and confident, and also seeing them feel like they have potential to be successful and they're not at a disadvantage to other students.
Sincerely speaking I just want to say I appreciate the fact that the University is taking the initiative to bring this to the table for discussion. It's a big sigh of relief for me to stand in front of the camera to talk about the Awarding Gap by virtue of the fact that the University is being intentional about it, and I just hope that we are going to see it through and ensure that there are practical results that come out of it.
Who are your PGM Ambassadors?
You can contact the Ambassadors as a group by emailing pgmambassador@upsu.net or contact your faculty representative from the list below.