Rethinking Student Belonging in Higher Education: From Bourdieu to Borderlands

Rethinking Student Belonging in Higher Education emphasizes the importance of understanding belonging in higher education as relational, complex, and negotiated, particularly for non-traditional students. It challenges prevailing assumptions and provides a theoretical framework based on Bourdieu, Brah, and Massey's insights. The book offers case studies and a borderland analysis of belonging, highlighting its relevance to policy and practice in the field of higher education.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 98 pages
Publication date: 29 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Rethinking Student Belonging in Higher Education is a groundbreaking book that challenges prevailing assumptions about what it means to belong in higher education and how institutional policies are shaped and implemented around traditional students. By advocating for a relational, complex, and negotiated understanding of belonging, particularly for non-traditional students, this book offers a fresh perspective on student identity and inclusion in higher education.

The book delves into the theoretical insights of prominent scholars such as Bourdieu, Brah, and Massey to explore the complexities of belonging in higher education. It presents the argument that belonging is not a fixed or universal experience but rather a dynamic and contextual process that is shaped by various factors, including social class, ethnicity, gender, and academic background.

Through a series of case studies drawn from empirical research, the book illustrates the diverse experiences of non-traditional students in higher education. It sheds light on the challenges they face, such as discrimination, marginalization, and lack of support, and highlights the ways in which they negotiate their identities and seek belonging within these institutions.

Furthermore, the book advocates for a borderland analysis of belonging in higher education. This theoretical framework recognizes that students exist on a continuum of identities and experiences and that their belonging is not solely determined by their traditional or non-traditional status. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing the diverse perspectives and experiences of all students, regardless of their background.

Rethinking Student Belonging in Higher Education is a timely and accessible resource for academics, policymakers, and practitioners in the field of higher education policy and practice. It provides a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of student belonging and offers practical strategies for promoting inclusive and equitable higher education environments. By reframing belonging within a neo-liberal, market-oriented higher education sector, the book contributes to the ongoing debate about widening participation, equality, diversity, inclusion, and fair access in higher education.

In conclusion, Rethinking Student Belonging in Higher Education is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of student identity and inclusion in higher education. It offers a valuable perspective on the experiences of non-traditional students and advocates for a more inclusive and equitable approach to higher education policy and practice.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032401751