We know that belonging is crucial for students. But what facilitates it? And what are the consequences for students when they feel that they do not belong at their university?

Wonkhe and Pearson conducted a national research project, spanning the length of a calendar year with over 5,500 staff and student participants, and in partnership with 15 students’ unions. The project produced some stark findings about what facilitates – or prevents – feelings of belonging across almost every aspect of the student experience.

Students who felt they belonged at their university reported substantial differences in their academic confidence, their course inclusivity, and their peer networks, compared to students who reported feelings of not belonging. This event will be an opportunity to launch the research in full and digest it.

We will also present further insights and wider research, have expert discussion on the implications, examples of good practice, recommendations that colleagues can use to build a practical plan of action to improve student belonging and inclusion for the long term. It’s an essential event for anyone concerned with belonging and inclusion at university today.

Read our final report on belonging – The four foundations of belonging at university here.

Agenda

9.30 Welcome and introduction

9.45 Nic Beech, Vice Chancellor of Middlesex University reflects on research and its significance to the sector

10.00 A recap of the research and its findings

10.30 Session 1: Building connections – Reflecting on the report, a group of sector experts will give examples of how they are building connection among students across their universities

Above everything else outlined in the report, the greatest impact that universities can have on students’ sense of belonging is to improve the way they connect their students. It sounds simple, and both staff and students see it as essential, yet students did not report a strong sense of connection, either at course level or university level. Reflecting on the report, a group of sector experts will give examples of how they are building connection among their students.

11.15 Break

11.30 Session 2: Inclusive content – How to build an inclusive educational experience for students and staff to foster belonging across the university

12.30 Session 3: Moving forward together – Picking up the recommendations to turn into action, we’ll discuss how the whole university can put things in place for the future

13.30 Close

The event will be recorded, and ticket holders will receive a recording shortly after it finishes.

In partnership with

In partnership with

We know that belonging is crucial for students. But what facilitates it? And what are the consequences for students when they feel that they do not belong at their university?

Wonkhe and Pearson conducted a national research project, spanning the length of a calendar year with over 5,500 staff and student participants, and in partnership with 15 students’ unions. The project produced some stark findings about what facilitates – or prevents – feelings of belonging across almost every aspect of the student experience.

Students who felt they belonged at their university reported substantial differences in their academic confidence, their course inclusivity, and their peer networks, compared to students who reported feelings of not belonging. This event will be an opportunity to launch the research in full and digest it.

We will also present further insights and wider research, have expert discussion on the implications, examples of good practice, recommendations that colleagues can use to build a practical plan of action to improve student belonging and inclusion for the long term. It’s an essential event for anyone concerned with belonging and inclusion at university today.

Read our final report on belonging – The four foundations of belonging at university here.

Agenda

9.30 Welcome and introduction

9.45 Nic Beech, Vice Chancellor of Middlesex University reflects on research and its significance to the sector

10.00 A recap of the research and its findings

10.30 Session 1: Building connections – Reflecting on the report, a group of sector experts will give examples of how they are building connection among students across their universities

Above everything else outlined in the report, the greatest impact that universities can have on students’ sense of belonging is to improve the way they connect their students. It sounds simple, and both staff and students see it as essential, yet students did not report a strong sense of connection, either at course level or university level. Reflecting on the report, a group of sector experts will give examples of how they are building connection among their students.

11.15 Break

11.30 Session 2: Inclusive content – How to build an inclusive educational experience for students and staff to foster belonging across the university

12.30 Session 3: Moving forward together – Picking up the recommendations to turn into action, we’ll discuss how the whole university can put things in place for the future

13.30 Close

The event will be recorded, and ticket holders will receive a recording shortly after it finishes.

In partnership with

In partnership with

Speakers

  • Nic Beech

    Vice chancellor, Middlesex University
  • Sunday Blake

    Associate Editor, Wonkhe

    Sunday Blake is President at Exeter Guild of Students

  • Anna Jackson

    Head of Customer Insights, Pearson

    Anna Jackson is Head of Customer Insights at Pearson. 

  • Mark Leach

    Founder & Editor in Chief, Wonkhe and former Labour adviser

    Mark Leach is the founder, Editor in Chief and CEO of Wonkhe. Mark worked in policy, politics and public affairs in and around UK higher education and founded Wonkhe in 2011 while working as a jobbing policy wonk in the sector. The first part of his career took him to the National Union of Students, … Continued

  • Gail Capper

    Outcomes and Insight Manager, Pearson

    Gail Capper is Outcomes and Insight Manager at Pearson

  • Tony Moss

    Associate pro-vice chancellor of education and student experience at London South Bank University

    your default content

  • Vrinda Nayak

    Associate Dean for Taught Students (Racial Equality and Inclusion) at University of Exeter
  • Annie Hughes

    Head of the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Centre, Kingston University

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  • Tinashe Verhaegh

    Senior advisor for equality charters, Advance HE

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  • Marianne Evans

    President, Bath Spa SU

    Marianne Evans is President at Bath Spa University SU

  • Michelle Morgan

    Student experience transitions specialist & Dean of Students, University of East London

    Michelle is a HE student transition and experience specialist and practitioner. She develops initiatives based on pragmatic and practical research to improve the experience of students and staff. The impact of her work is to enable students to succeed to the best of their ability in a high quality HE environment that challenges and supports … Continued

  • Liz Mossop

    Deputy vice chancellor for student development and engagement, University of Lincoln

    Liz Mossop is Deputy Vice Chancellor for Student Development and Engagement at the University of Lincoln. She is a veterinary surgeon who graduated from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh and worked for several years in a private veterinary practice before commencing her academic career. She has a Masters degree and … Continued

  • Mary Stuart

    Director of Leadership Development at Minerva, UK and former Vice Chancellor, University of Lincoln

    Mary Stuart has had a long career in Higher Education covering most academic roles. She spent 15 years at the University of Sussex moving from a lecturing role to becoming Pro Vice Chancellor for Students and Professor of Continuing Education. In 2005, she moved to Kingston University as Deputy Vice Chancellor and in 2009 was … Continued

  • Rebecca Freeman

    Dean of Students, University of Warwick

    Rebecca Freeman is the Dean of Students at the University of Warwick

  • Sasha Roseneil

    Vice Chancellor, University of Sussex

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In partnership with

In partnership with