Cooke, C. and Lowe, T. 2025. Belonging theory into practice: A framework to enhance student success in higher education. in: Young, M. Y., Venn, E. and Lowe, T. (ed.) Routledge.
| Chapter title | Belonging theory into practice: A framework to enhance student success in higher education |
|---|---|
| Authors | Cooke, C. and Lowe, T. |
| Editors | Young, M. Y., Venn, E. and Lowe, T. |
| Abstract | The importance of supporting students to experience a sense of belonging during their higher education has been shown to have wide-reaching positive outcomes. From improving students’ experiences through a heightened connectivity to their institutions, its staff members and their fellow students within, to increasing the perceptions of accessibility to our support services and overall learning, which in turn leads to improved student outcomes. A focus on fostering student belonging has received increased attention by universities during and post the Covid-19 pandemic, where changes in modes of learning and the negative impact of the pandemic’s social distancing measures on student mental health have created a challenging context for student engagement. In addition, student outcome disparities amongst minority and historically marginalised groups have created an urgent need to address strategies for creating sense of belonging and policy holistically at our universities to improve overall student success. Drawing on a research study from a small and specialist UK university during Covid-19, this chapter will present a Belonging Framework to guide university leaders of services, faculty, and providers in fostering a sense of belonging. The chapter will also illustrate suggestions for how the framework can be applied. |
| Year | 2025 |
| Publisher | Routledge |
| Publication dates | |
| Published | 08 Aug 2025 |
| ISSN | 9781032693293 |
| File | File Access Level Open (open metadata and files) |
| Web address (URL) | https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781032693293-4/belonging-theory-practice-caroline-cooke-tom-lowe?context=ubx&refId=58142230-64ed-4c56-9e63-43474496806d |
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