Andrea Roncolato
MPhil candidate in Japanese Studies 2022-2024 and Social Media Assistant.
My primary focus is on education policies, with my research involving the analysis of higher education policies, support for students with disabilities within higher education, and social inequality in the educational realm. For my research project, I aim to examine the policies and provisions of Japanese universities for students with disabilities, framing the issue to reveal the causal mechanisms behind the social and political practices that limit the participation of these students.
My study is concerned with the limited number of students with visual and hearing impairments at Japanese universities. As of 1 May 2018, 3,020,539 students were enrolled in Japanese universities, of whom only 30,190 reported having a disability (JASSO, 2021). Of these, 808 students reported being blind or having serious visual impairments, while 1,779 claimed to be deaf or have serious hearing impairments (JASSO, 2021). Compared with countries like the United Kingdom, these figures are notably low. As such, my main research question is: Are Japanese universities fostering an inclusive environment for students with visual and hearing impairments and, if so, how are they achieving this?
The stigma associated with disability in Japan and secondary education inequality may account for the underrepresentation of these students in higher education. My research aims to analyse whether Japanese universities are promoting diversity and inclusion. Specifically, I will investigate whether their policies encourage the participation of students with visual and hearing impairments and whether the current provisions are enabling integration and academic advancement for these students.
Understanding the impact of inclusive education is crucial, not solely for students with disabilities but also for the wider society, as it has the potential to mitigate discrimination and foster diversity. Hence, my research will also explore whether the inclusion of students with disabilities at Japanese universities enhances awareness of minority groups at the tertiary level, and whether this heightened consciousness contributes to increased participation of these students and to a broader understanding of disability discourse and inclusivity among all university students.
Supervisor: Professor Takehiko Kariya
College: St Antony’s College
Previous Degree Programme: I was awarded an MA (Hons) in Politics and International Relations from the University of Aberdeen, with First Class Honours.
