ADCET UDL Symposium: Beyond Accommodation - Embedding Inclusive Assessment for Institutional Change

In-person presentation

Inclusive assessment enables student success without the need for alternative or adapted assessment versions, fostering an environment that celebrates diversity and promotes student collaboration (Nieminen, 2022). Despite its potential, evidence of the widespread and systematic implementation of inclusive assessment strategies in higher education remains limited (Tai et al., 2021). Furthermore, scholarly discussions surrounding the assessment design process are relatively new (Fernandez-Ruiz, Panadero and Garcia-Perez, 2021; Bearman et al., 2016).

Building on the existing body of research, the presenters identified a need to operationalise inclusive assessment practices at the University of Queensland (UQ). Supported by an institutional Teaching Innovation Grant, they expanded the existing UQ Assessment Ideas Factory (AIF) database - a comprehensive digital library of assessment tasks - to highlight inclusive assessment tasks. 

These tasks were identified and crafted drawing on a framework they developed for best practices in inclusive assessment. The framework was informed by Universal Design for Learning (UDL) 3.0 principles, relevant scholarly literature and insights from focus group interviews with students and academics that gathered the experiences and perceptions of inclusive assessment at UQ. Staff engagement with the framework has been monitored through tracking the adoption and use of the database and associated resources, alongside follow up conversations with focus group participants.

This presentation collaboratively examined the institutional opportunities to foster inclusive practices and cultures in higher education settings. 

Presenters

Dr Nattalia Godbold is a Project and Research Officer at the University of Queensland (UQ), where she supports initiatives focused on inclusive assessment and student engagement in higher education. She is currently coordinating a university-wide project on inclusive assessment practices and co-facilitates UQ’s Student Fellows program, fostering meaningful student–staff partnerships. Nattalia’s research explores student partnership, curriculum co-design, and innovative approaches to teaching and learning. She brings a strong background in educational leadership and a passion for creating more equitable and collaborative learning environments.

Chris Frost is a learning designer at the University of Queensland (UQ), managing a learning design team in the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. Chris and his team work with academic staff to maintain and improve inclusive teaching and assessment practice while securing assessment from inappropriate AI use. He co-developed and maintains and UQ's Assessment Ideas Factory, which promotes alternative forms of assessment that allow students to demonstrate their learning in diverse ways.

(June 2025)