Belonging, Dignity, and Justice in GTA Development

Beyond a working group, a Movement

The Belonging, Dignity and Justice in Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) Development Working Group is a coalition of educational developers and changemakers committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into GTA development across the UK. We take an alternative approach to EDI to enable GTA development to become a space where all GTAs and developers can flourish and feel empowered to shape the future of education.

Why Belonging, Dignity, and Justice?

The Belonging, Dignity, and Justice approach shifts the conversation from policies to people, from oversight to ownership, and from tokenism to true systemic change. When Belonging, Dignity, and Justice are embedded into GTA development, GTAs can flourish.

  • Belonging is more than just being included—it’s about being seen, heard, and valued
  • Dignity recognises the inherent worth of every GTA, treating them as educators, not just assistants
  • Justice means challenging inequities, repairing harm, and ensuring that GTAs have clear, sustainable pathways to success

History

Following the Sheffield GTA Developers Network Meeting (2024), we have come together to envision a new way forward. The current structures often leave GTAs navigating precarious contracts, with limited professional recognition, and a lack of meaningful inclusion in institutional decision-making.

Mission

We’re here to change that. The Belonging, Dignity, and Justice in GTA Development Working Group is a space for radical collaboration. We aim to develop a positive education approach where GTAs are not just trained but truly flourish. We invite you to be part of this work.

Action

We are building a collection of shared resources and plan to host webinars and workshops exploring and showcasing good practice in GTA development through the lenses of Belonging, Dignity and Justice. We will provide a platform to share and develop innovative approaches, institutional strategies, and impactful practices