The appointment recognises Professor Mossop’s long-term commitment to widening access to higher education and supporting people from less advantaged backgrounds achieve their goals – which is also a key priority for the University.
The Group will develop proposals to help more students from disadvantaged backgrounds access higher education.
Meeting between November 2025 and January 2027, it will address regional gaps in access to higher education, and barriers to higher education faced by people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The group will focus on two main areas to improve access:
- Regional gaps: addressing lack of access to higher education in regions with the biggest disadvantage gaps
- Barriers along the student journey: identifying and addressing the biggest barriers to higher education that those from disadvantaged backgrounds face across their lifetime
The group will create solutions that can be led by the higher education sector, with support from students, government, charities and other partners.
Sheffield Hallam University is committed to supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds and underrepresented groups succeed in higher education and proudly serves its local community and place.
More than 50 per cent of Sheffield Hallam students are from within 50 miles of the university and it has a higher percentage of students from low participation backgrounds than the UK average.
The University’s Widening Participation and Outreach team works with schools, colleges and in community settings to support young people and their families understand higher education and develop skills and knowledge that support progression.
There is also specific support for potential students who face additional, and often multiple, barriers to attending university including young carers, care experienced, estranged and mature students.
