Nafn nemanda: Evans Annor
Námsleið: International Studies in Education, MA
Heiti verkefnis: A Critical Analysis of Educational Policies at the University of Iceland: Inclusion, Disability, and International Students Experiences
Leiðbeinendur: Kristín Björnsdóttir og Sveinn Guðmundsson

Ágrip/efni (drög): This thesis, a Critical Analysis of Educational Policies at the University of Iceland: Inclusion, Disability, and International Students Experiences’ examines how inclusion and disability are framed within the University of Iceland’s policies. University of Iceland’s policies place a significant value on accessibility, equality, and adherence to national and international frameworks. There is a need to investigate how these promises in the policy documents are implemented in everyday academic settings. This study examines the relationship between policy framings and the lived experiences of students, focusing on Critical Disability Studies, the concepts of ableism, intersectionality, and Critical Policy Analysis. The study adopts a qualitative research design that combines the analysis of the policy documents used in the University and a semi-structured interview to understand the experiences of students with disability, disabled international students, and international students. The research pays particular attention to the administrative procedures, digital systems, accessibility, and a broader socio-political context affecting international students’ experiences and academic journey, such as current immigration discourses and structural adjustments, among others. This study adds to the current discourses about inclusion, administrative ableism, and structural responsibility in higher education by engaging students in interviews to share their experiences and understanding of the policy texts. The research highlights the relevance of going beyond the usual compliance and commitments to equality toward transparent, accessible, and responsive systems that consider the complex circumstances and realities of international students with disabilities, disabled students, and international students.