Friday 25-01-2019 - 10:59

Anonymous marking of all written assessments could be introduced at Lancaster thanks to a proposal put forward by our Vice-President (Education) Ian Meeks.

 

Exams are the main form of assessment currently marked anonymously, but Ian is keen to see the practice expanded to ensure students have all their work assessed fairly.

 

Ian said: “Anonymous marking reduces the risk of unconscious bias by the marker, increasing the level of confidence students can have that they are getting the mark they deserve.

 

“One of my main points of focus this year is to start the conversation and work into ensuring a fairer education with equal opportunity for all.

 

“There’s evidence from across the higher education sector that students from ethnic minorities are awarded fewer firsts and 2:1s than their white peers – introducing anonymous marking could go a long way towards addressing this issue and make Lancaster a beacon of good practice.”

 

Ian took an initial proposal for introducing anonymous marking to the university’s Academic Standards and Quality Committee last week.

 

Ian said: “The proposal was accepted by the committee, and I’m pleased that the university has been so receptive. There will now be consultation on the plan but I hope to see this implemented by the start of the next academic year.”

 

 

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