Meeting the challenge of providing higher education for 'at risk' students : the dilemmas, risks and opportunities of addressing the issue of stakeholders and gatekeepers in experiential learning research

Given the low access rate and high attrition rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at universities across Australia, it is reasonable to consider them as ‘at risk’ students when it comes to higher education. It is imperative that universities find a way of providing learning opportunities that lead to successful completion of the programs studied. This paper explores the risks and dilemmas associated with researching the possibilities offered by experiential learning in meeting the challenge. It focuses on two areas: risks and dilemmas in identifying and working with the stakeholders; and the role of ethogeny as a research tool as well as a strategy for addressing the dilemmas and risks.