Experiences of Belonging: Working-class Students and Higher Education

Whilst entry rates for working-class students have risen in the past decade, they remain underrepresented compared to their better resourced peers within Higher Education. Many working-class students also report feeling like outsiders in university settings, where unfamiliar cultural norms and expectations, for example, can leave them questioning whether they truly belong. So, whilst there has been clear progress in access and widening participation, inequalities in belonging, progression and outcomes persist.

Join a arrange of speakers from the University of the West of England, University of Leeds, University of Exeter and Birmingham City University for a much needed webinar exploring the experiences of working-class students and belonging in higher educational settings. This webinar will delve into how social class shapes student identity, engagement and access to opportunities. There will also be a focus on strategies for inclusion in the lecture room and on campus. Drawing on current research, lived experiences and practical insights, we’ll examine how universities can create more supportive, equitable environments where all students feel valued and recognised

Event Programme

12:00 - Welcome - Dr Craig Johnston (Senior Lecturer, Criminology, UWE Bristol)

12:05 – Introduction - (Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Registrar, UWE Bristol)

12:10 - Experiences of Belonging: Working-class Students and Higher Education - University of Leeds - Dr Nadine Cavigioli (Deputy Programme Manager, SEND), Rachael O'Connor (Associate Professor, Law) and Stacey Mottershaw (Associate Professor, Teaching and Learning)

12:30 - Student Panel - Student Representatives from UWE Bristol, Leeds and Exeter Universities

12:50 - Class Conscious Pedagogy - Dr Ciaran Burke (Associate Professor in Higher Education, UWE Bristol)

13:10 - We Belong Here: Creating a Working-Class Network in Higher Education - Dr Alice Storey (Associate Professor of Human Rights, Birmingham City University)

13:30 - Close - Dr Craig Johnston (Senior Lecturer, Criminology, UWE Bristol)

Event Queries

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Dr Craig Johnston - c.johnston@uwe.ac.uk

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