Background

I am a Research Associate based in the Inclusive Newcastle Knowledge Centre (INKC), a team dedicated to tackling inequities for Newcastle University students and their access, success and progression. I have an interest in student voice, co-creation and participatory action research and a passion for working collaboratively with groups that are seldom heard to amplify their voices and work towards greater social justice.

I worked with a Student Advisory Board and co-created the Narrowing the Degree Awarding Gap in Engineering Pilot Project and with the support of the School of Engineering established the Black Engineering Network. I was nominated by a member of the Student Advisory Board for and won The Education Award for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 2023.

I am a member of the Racial Justice in Education Action Team, Tyne and Wear Citizens UK. I use community organising methods in my research, working with underrepresented groups in supporting them to recognise their power, agency and voice and in using listening methodology to create change. 

I am a Co-convenor of the NERUPI Student Voice in Higher Education working group. The group is dedicated to exploring approaches to fostering meaningful student voice in a range of contexts; sharing innovative approaches for involving students in research and evaluation processes; establishing effective strategies for implementing student voice from diverse backgrounds and geographies and fostering seamless co-creation and collaboration with students.

Research

Current research projects:

• Narrowing the Degree Awarding Gap in Engineering Pilot Project (Newcastle University)

See here for a summary of the project and the recommendations: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching/strategic-priorities/inclusive-newcastle/projects-and-evaluations/

• The Black Engineering Network

See here for project activity: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching/strategic-priorities/inclusive-newcastle/black-eng-network/

• Evaluating NU Access and Participation Plan (Newcastle University)

Publications

• Articles

  • Perumal R, Razak A, Husband D, Yetkili O, Mansaray A. Degrees of Difference: Exploring degree-award gaps. London: British Educational Research Association (BERA), 2024. Available at: https://www.bera.ac.uk/blog/degrees-of-difference-exploring-degree-award-gaps.
  • Bowler R, Razak A. Continuities and Change: Some reflections on 21 years of anti-racist youth work. Youth and Policy 2019.
  • Gangoli G, McCarry M, Razak A. Child marriage or forced marriage? South Asian communities in North East England. Children and Society 2009, 23(6), 418-429.

• Book Chapters

  • Bowler R, Razak A. Speaking Back and Seeing Beyond the Landscapes of Hate. In: Hall E, Clayton J, Donovan C, ed. Landscapes of Hate. Bristol University Press, 2024, pp.196-216.
  • Bowler R, Razak A. Young People as Cultural Critics of the Monocultural Landscapes that Fail Them. In: Rees., J, Pomati., M, Hein, ed. Social Policy Review. Policy Press, 2020, pp.51-70.

• Reports

  • Razak A, Bowler R. The Trylife Co-production experience: Evaluation of Trylife TV. Sunderland: University of Sunderland, 2021.
  • Bowler R, Razak A. Voicing the Needs of YAV’s Young People. University of Sunderland, 2017.
  • Gangoli G, Razak A, McCarry M. Forced Marriage and Domestic Violence among South Asian Communities in North East England. University of Bristol, 2006.
  • Hughes J, Razak A, Groves N. Responding to Rural Domestic Violence: Incidence, Good Practice and Potential Solutions for the Wear Valley and Teesdale Area. University of Sunderland, 2004.
  • Hester M, Hanmer S, Coulson S, Morhan M, Razak A. Domestic Violence: Making it Through the Criminal Justice System. University of Sunderland, 2003.