Project title: Peer Networks: Cultivating an inclusive culture and sense of belonging
Funding awarded: £98, 661
Summary:
A lack of access to peer networks has been identified as a barrier to minoritised Engineering undergraduates' success and feelings of belonging. This project will examine the structures and accessibility of existing peer networks and identify and evaluate new opportunities to join and form networks to improve feelings of belonging and outcomes for students from all backgrounds. The outcome of this research will be applicable across engineering disciplines across the whole higher education sector.
What need does the project address?
Newcastle University’s School of Engineering’s has 2143 undergraduate students (2020/21). Given the ambition to establish diverse networks this project will engage the whole cohort, whilst seeking improvements in outcome measures for Black and ethnically minoritised UK students, white British students from low participation neighbourhoods, and international students. In all of these cases there is an award gap that the project seeks to address.
What does the project consist of?
The project requires research on peer networking, a networking audit and a student advisory board. These will support the establishment and monitoring of new peer network structures, and their impact on participating students.
What are the expected outcomes?
The long-term goal is an increased sense of belonging experienced by all students. This will be evidenced by an increase in graduate outcomes, reduction in awarding gaps, increased continuation rates, and increased experience of inclusion as evidenced by participation in networks.
For more information please contract:
The project links engineering leadership (Prof. Mark Geoghegan, PI), expertise in inclusive education (Prof. Alison Shaw Co-I), and the SAgE Faculty Director of Diversity (Dr Sharron Kuznesof Co-I).