The Office for Students has today announced the appointment of Josh Bradbury, a student within the Department of Politics and International Studies (PAIS) at the University of Warwick, to the Office for Students' Disability in Higher Education Advisory Board.

Josh's appointment underscores a commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse academic environment. His selection reflects exceptional leadership, dedication, and advocacy for students with disabilities.

The panel has been established to provide expert advice on improving the experience of disabled students in higher education and will consider how universities and colleges currently support disabled students, drawing on evidence, research and analysis from the sector and beyond. It will make recommendations about how we can better ensure these students benefit from a fulfilling student experience.



Josh Bradbury said: “I’m delighted to be appointed to the Office for Students Disability in Higher Education Panel, Higher Education institutions have been letting Disabled students down for far too long and it is vital that the sector rapidly improves the way it treats Disabled students. My experience at Warwick, especially with organisations like Autism at Warwick and Warwick Enable, will be key to my work on the panel, as will the experience I gained with DUC during my year abroad at UBC.”

Responding to the news, Professor Matthew Clayton, Head of PAIS at the University of Warwick, said:"Josh Bradbury's appointment to the Office for Students' Disability in Higher Education Advisory board is a testament to his exceptional leadership and commitment to inclusivity.

“As a member of our PAIS community, Josh embodies the spirit of advocacy and innovation, driving positive change for disabled students. We are immensely proud of his achievement and confident in his ability to make meaningful contributions to shaping a more accessible and equitable higher education landscape.”

The panel will also include Office for Students representatives John Blake, Director for Fair Access and Participation, and Suzanne Carrie, Head of Student Equality and Welfare.

John Blake said: “We are very pleased to be convening our first Disability in Higher Education Advisory Panel this year, and to be welcoming such an impressive and knowledgeable group of individuals to the panel. Between them they bring extensive experience of policy development, effective practice, experience of living with disabilities, and campaigning to improve disabled students’ experiences in higher education. Their insights and expertise will be invaluable as we seek to work with the sector to build an excellent student experience for disabled students.

“I look forward to working with all our panel members and hearing their views and recommendations in due course, as part of our shared commitment to ensuring the higher education sector really understands and is addressing the issues facing disabled students.”

ENDS
Notes to editors

'The Office for Students is the independent regulator for higher education in England. Our aim is to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers.'

The Disability in Higher Education Advisory Panel was announced in June 2023Link opens in a new window, with an open recruitment process for panellists running from November 2023-January 2024.

The panel will draw on the work delivered by the Disabled Students’ Commission (DSC)Link opens in a new window, whose 3-year term finished in January 2023. Funded by the OfS and chaired by Professor Geoff Layer, the DSC delivered expert guidance and research into the access, experience, and success of disabled students from 2020-2023.