The Secret Life of Students

The question on everyone’s mind as the higher education sector emerges from the global Covid-19 pandemic is about how to foster a sense of student belonging and inclusion for a diverse student body accessing education in diverse ways. 

The UPP Foundation Student Futures Commission, chaired by Mary Curnock Cook, in its consultation with universities, students’ unions and student polling has identified belonging as a key theme that encompasses the importance of inclusion, and authentic communication and co-production with students. 

And at Wonkhe, we’re working with Pearson and students’ unions on a major year-long project to extend our understanding of student belonging and inclusion and how universities and students’ unions can take action to foster belonging and inclusion. 

This session will feature key findings from all this work and ask what the sector’s priorities and actions should be in the years ahead to generate the sort of step-change required.