Belonging and Engagement of Students in Higher Education
A special issue of Social Sciences (ISSN 2076-0760).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 301
Special Issue Editor
Interests: intersectional inequalities, disadvantage, and diversity; students’ sense of belonging, engagement, success and retention in higher education; educational inequalities, social mobility, and social class; cultural and social capital; social network analysis, administrative data, and data linkage methods
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Recent studies have highlighted the pivotal role of belonging and engagement in higher education, emphasizing their impact on academic success, well-being, and retention. A strong sense of belonging and meaningful engagement enables students to immerse themselves in academic and extracurricular activities, fostering a sense of connection with their academic community and enhancing their overall educational experience. In inclusive and supportive environments, belonging empowers students from diverse backgrounds to confidently pursue their academic and social goals.
To promote belonging and engagement in higher education, institutions must create comprehensive learning environments that address the needs and expectations of their students. This includes active support from faculty, fostering peer relationships, implementing inclusive practices, and designing learning and extracurricular activities that encourage participation. Simultaneously, it is crucial to identify and mitigate barriers to belonging, such as discrimination, lack of representation, and socio-economic challenges.
This Special Issue will address the following key research questions through theoretical and empirical studies:
What are the purposes of fostering belonging and engagement among students in today’s higher education institutions?
What teaching and learning strategies are effective in promoting belonging and maximizing student engagement in higher education?
We invite contributions that explore innovative pedagogical practices, the creation of inclusive environments, and theoretical insights into enhancing student belonging and engagement in higher education.
Dr. Mi-Young An
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- student belonging
- student engagement
- academic success
- retention rates institutional culture
- peer relationships
- faculty support
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