Higher education is a distribution center of knowledge and economic, social, and cultural power. The instructor's power is usually unquestioned, particularly by students who must comply with instructors who are the gatekeepers to resources they need. Understanding alienation in higher education classrooms illuminate how power influences…

In the context of a marketised higher education system, meaningful interpersonal connections remain of paramount importance to many students. Using a story-completion method, we examine how relationships impact upon students' experiences of higher education, and explore the importance of relational pedagogies. We draw upon data from a longitudinal…

The impact of individual identities on university staff's experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic has been profound. We conducted a survey of 118 staff members at one Scottish university to explore how their identities were impacting on their experiences. Results from qualitative content analysis showed that existing inequalities had been…

This study examines student activists' interactions with student affairs professionals. Guided by Schlossberg's (1989) marginality and mattering framework, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 student activists. Student activists experienced marginalization in three ways (1) misperceptions of student organizing, (2) not feeling heard,…

This study examines the experiences of Jewish college students in the United States following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and the resulting Israel-Gaza conflict. Using qualitative analysis, it identifies six distinct response categories -- "Affirmed," "Aggrieved," "Retrenched," "Conflicted,"…

An academic learning environment has a significant role in shaping students' learning experience, scholarly identity construction, and socialization into academic culture. The aim of the present study was to understand the experiences of PhD students from their learning environment and the challenges and problems they may face. This case study was…

Engineering educators should motivate and support students in developing not only technical competence but also professional competence including commitment to excellence. We developed an authentic assessment to improve students' understanding of the importance of "perfection" in engineering--whereby 50% good enough will not be…

Research has confirmed that supportive social networks and associated resources play a critical role in the adaptation of migrating international students to host communities. Access to such social networks and resources requires migrating students to invest in and make efforts at academic socialisation, as mediated by various social processes.…

Since the London bombings of July 7, 2005, the threat of terrorist violence in the United Kingdom has not abated. In the face of increased public fears about homegrown terrorism, the UK government has responded with a counter-extremism strategy known as Prevent. From its inception in 2003, the scope of the Prevent strategy has repeatedly been…

Many social-work students enrolled in a particular Australian university approach the pre-practicum practice skills unit with dread, due to the required role-play exercises. Online distance students could be seen to be challenged even further in their preparation for practicum, due to a perception that they are learning practice skills on their…

In September 2006, the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation commissioned MDC, Inc. of Chapel Hill to analyze the problem of "disconnected youth" in the Research Triangle region, determine the current state of the region's responses to the challenge, and recommend steps to deepen and accelerate action on the issue. The research process was…