Classism and social background in the higher education context

The event takes place in C 12.006, the event language is German.

Classism refers to discrimination based on social background or social status and particularly affects people from low-income and working-class backgrounds. Within the education system in particular, classism contributes to the unequal distribution of educational opportunities and restricts pathways to social mobility. First-generation university students are particularly affected by these mechanisms. As the first in their families to go to university, their educational journeys highlight the extent to which classist notions, expectations and assumptions about what is ‘normal’ are structurally embedded within higher education. The talk therefore explores the role that social background plays in the higher education context and what a practice critical of classism might look like.

Francis Seeck holds a research-oriented professorship in social work with a focus on democratic and human rights education at TH Nuremberg. Their research and teaching focuses on classism, democratic education, gender and queer studies, diversity and human rights-based social work. Since 2010 they work as an anti-discrimination and social justice trainer. In 2022, the manifesto against classism titled "Access Denied" was published by Atrium, followed by the books "Overcoming Classism" and "Classism and Social Work" in 2024. More information: www.francisseeck.net