Muslims
in higher and further education projectAims
The specific aims of this research project are to:
- examine the experiences of Muslim students in further and higher education
- identify strategies and approaches which can address the challenges faced by Muslim learners, such as Islamophobia
- marshal available statistical and research evidence on Muslim students in London to provide a baseline of data on which to build future strategies for this community and to establish progress over time
- produce qualitative and quantitative evidence about the number and experiences of Muslims in further and higher education in London.
OPM is an independent not-for-profit consultancy based in London. It has experience in working with Muslim communities on a range of issues and specializes in producing sound, robust research and information.
The research will be conducted in various phases, which will seek to obtain quantitative data on characteristics of Muslim students and qualitative information on the experiences of Muslim students.
The aim is to publish a final report early in 2008.
Project rationale
London is the most diverse city in the world and yet some Muslim communities can face exclusion that affects all socio-economic aspects of their lives. This means that they often do not benefit from the social and economic successes that London generates. The Mayor of London is committed to promoting equality for all Londoners in order to nurture community cohesion and a positive experience of London's diversity. He has commissioned this work in direct response to the concerns raised by London’s Muslim students and Muslim communities about Islamophobia following the 7/7 bombings in London.
These issues are under-researched and this study could provide a wealth of important information about how the GLA and other learning sector agencies can address the issues affecting Muslim students. It will also contribute to a better understanding of what is unique about being a Muslim in the context of learning as opposed to other contributory factors such as race, gender or ethnicity.