Inclusion in higher education: an exploration of the subjective experiences of students

ABSTRACT

There is a paucity of literature which explores students’ subjective meanings of inclusion in higher education (HE). Much of the focus is on the social exclusion debate, where HE is seen as a mechanism for the promotion of social equality. There is some research which explores students’ experiences, but this mostly involves those students who have acquired a label. Contemporary research in teaching and learning suggests that effective pedagogy should benefit all learners and should not require additional practices for separate groups. Based on this premise, this research seeks to begin an exploration of the meaning of inclusion to students participating in higher education. 251 students from a UK health and social science faculty participated in the research and responded to statements which elicited their subjective meanings of inclusion. Student understandings of inclusion are discussed through the emergent themes of ‘the imperative of relationship’ and ‘flexible practice enables participation’ and understood through the lens of socio-cultural theory.

KEYWORDS:

• Inclusion
• higher education
• students’ voice
• socio-cultural theory

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jane Tobbell

Dr Jane Tobbell is a University Teaching Fellow in the Department of Psychology at the University of Huddersfield.

Rob Burton

Dr Rob Burton is an Associate Professor and International Programme Director in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Griffith University.

Andrea Gaynor

Dr Andrea Gaynor is an Academic Skills Tutor in the School of Human and Health Sciences at the University of Huddersfield.

Berenice Golding

Dr Berenice Golding is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Behavioural and Social Sciences at the University of Huddersfield.

Kath Greenhough

Dr Kath Greenhough is an Academic Skills Tutor in the School of Human and Health Sciences at the University of Huddersfield.

Christine Rhodes

Dr Christine Rhodes is a University Teaching Fellow in the School of Human and Health Sciences at the University of Huddersfield.

Stephen White

Dr Stephen White is the Academic Lead for Technology Enhanced Learning in the School of Human and Health Sciences at the University of Huddersfield.