Student Belonging in Higher Education

Student Belonging in Higher Education: Perspectives and Practice stands out as an essential handbook, offering critical insights, case studies, and student perspectives that address today’s challenges in higher education. This volume unpacks the complex, multidimensional aspects of belonging, providing evidence-based, practical recommendations that will drive high impact, hopeful, people-centered practices across the sector. - Jessica Riddell, Bishop's University, Canada. This book challenges readers to reconsider the concept of ‘belonging’, particularly as this relates to contested and volatile learning environments. Presenting an in-depth and critical exploration, this publication ensures that the deeply political nature of this term is not obscured or ignored. Drawing upon both theoretical and practical applications, this is a must read for anyone genuinely concerned about the ‘belonging panacea’ that seems to have gripped the higher education sector. - Sarah O’Shea, Charles Sturt University, Australia. This much-needed book is a valuable addition to the body of literature on student belonging in higher education. It provides critical perspectives on how we understand the nature of belonging, delving into the experience of diverse groups and challenging how we measure this. At a time where belonging is widely understood as important to student success, and more, this book offers a compelling exploration of this. - Louise Banahene, University of Leeds, UK. A student’s sense of belonging is an essential for their learning, persistence, and well-being. Yet too often higher education frames ‘belonging’ more as a slogan than a complex and dynamic human need. This handbook synthesizes the latest research, presents critical perspectives on belonging, and shares case studies that honor the difficulties of belonging – and offers new directions for scholars and practitioners seeking to nurture belonging for all students. - Peter Felten, Elon University, US.