ABSTRACT
The 2008 Bradley Review of Higher Education in Australia prompted significant federal investment to encourage and support participation by historically underrepresented groups. Policy and programme language underpinning this agenda consistently deploys the term aspiration in disrespectful ways, misrecognising and misrepresenting individuals and communities. University programmes funded to engage with marginalised groups both intentionally and unintentionally challenge community members to perform particular forms of aspiration from what can be an uncertain present. Drawing from diverse theoretical perspectives and traversing two methodologically different stages of a study, this chapter contributes a ‘cautionary tale’ to the field of equity and widening participation. Specifically, the chapter explores the unintended consequences of a university outreach programme of mentoring and associated research activity informed by, among other theoretical foundations, the concept of possible selves.
The study finds students interpreting programme and research interventions as demands for performances of valuation. A section on the wickedness of the future, and the difficult dimensions of projected selves and futures, highlights the ethical dilemmas of the field. The author advocates for a critical praxis in widening participation, an ongoing attempt to bring ‘genuine light’ to critical reflection and critical action with stakeholders of practices rather than imposing programme logics or theories of change on fellow community members. A dark hope is theorised.
