thesis topics on inclusive education

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Inclusion and Diversity in Education

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About this Research Topic

Inclusive education is an elusive concept. Across the globe, debates continue to explore how we define inclusive and special education, how we can achieve inclusion and why there is a disconnect between inclusive education policies and practice. A key point of concern is how systems and schools can adapt in ...

Keywords : inclusive education, special education, diversity, universal design for learning, educational disadvantage

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Policy implementation in inclusive education: a complexity perspective

Mouroutsou, Stella (2017) Policy implementation in inclusive education: a complexity perspective. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Inclusion is a major focus of government policies worldwide. It is promoted by international agencies aiming to transform education systems in order to respond to the diversity of all learners. However, this research argues that not enough attention has been paid to the values that underpin the policies that promote inclusion, as well as to the beliefs of significant actors that participate in the policy process and which are considered to affect practice. Hence, the extent to which the move to inclusive education is substantive or linguistic is not clear. The complex conceptualisation of policy implementation as well as the need to study the conditions under which education policies work, encourages the use of complexity theory, which focuses on the idea that the interaction of multiple constituent agents has as an impact the emergence of phenomena-forms and events. The number of educational researchers who adopt sociomaterial approaches such as those developed by complexity theory and actor-network theory has increased. It is believed that complexity theory could contribute to our conceptualisation of policy processes, enhancing our understanding of how education policies become implemented and work. Underpinned by policy sociology and complexity theory as a conceptual framework, this cross-sectional and mixed methods research explores the way that the behaviour policy Better Relationships, Better Learning, Better Behaviour is interpreted and translated in mainstream secondary schools in Scotland. Additionally, this study examines whether complexity theory could contribute to our understanding of policy implementation in order to understand the extent to which the shift from behaviour to relationships in Scottish inclusive education is substantive and based on beliefs that promote inclusive education. In addition to questionnaires distributed to secondary mainstream schools in Scotland, data collection entailed interviews with policymakers, support teachers, support staff and education officers, and focus groups with pupils. The analytic framework is based on complexity theory in order to explore the implementation of the policy.

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Dissertations for Special and Inclusive Education (SIE)

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• No Thumbnail Available Item The Implementation of Inclusive Education Policies in One of Higher Education Institutions in the U.A.E: Services & Facilities Provided for SWD, and Challenges & Barriers that Institutions Face ( The British University in Dubai (BUiD) , 2023-09 ) ALI, BUSHRA ; Professor Eman Gaad Show more When it comes to the objectives or aim of the research, the study is designed to explore the implementation of UAE’s Federal Law No. 29/2006 policy in supporting PWDs in one of the HEIs in UAE to identify the obstacles experienced by the many participants in the inclusion policy. In addition, the research also looks to understand the current availability of accessible services and facilities used for SWD for HEI in the UAE. This is because the more accessible HEIs are, the more SWD would be encouraged to pursue a higher educational career. This ranges from students who have difficulties with mobility, hearing, visual impairments, dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning difficulties. In addition, the research will also look at the different aspects of a university or higher education campus to understand best if those are up to the standard required to support SWD. This will help shed greater light on the inclusion policy and understand if there are any gaps or areas of improvement that can occur and then propose those solutions. Another aim of the research is to better understand the challenges and barriers that SWD faces based on the staff members working at the university. More importantly, the role of the Ministry of Education in providing the best environment, technology, and facilities to SWD is also reflected in this research. From a methodology perspective, the qualitative approach was selected for this research study, and along with it, some semi-structured interviews with individuals in position to process and make decisions. In addition, numerous journal articles and academic books on relevant subjects were also selected to provide insight and a greater understanding of the topic. This was designed to answer the four main research questions, which include understanding what the on-campus facilities provided for SWDs are in their institution. What the current services are that the HEI provides to support SWDs? What challenges and barriers does HEI face in supporting SWDs? And lastly, what is the role of the Ministry of Education in supporting SWDs? From a finding perspective, the on-campus facilities were investigated, photographed, and detailed in depth to identify any issues. This included the campus building, atrium, classrooms, labs, washroom, elevator, campus clinic, registration office, university library, campus restaurants, student dorms, car parking, busses, and security staff. At the same time, the services provided by the institution, in this case, University A, were also detailed, along with the perspective of faculty, SASD, and students on the challenges and barriers they face. Lastly, the role of the Ministry of Education was also reflected upon after the visit. All in all, some limitations were identified when it came to the Ministry of Education in the way they were monitoring or doing their annual checks in universities to ensure that they were compliant with the educational policies. However, there is no in-depth check for specific departments that should occur, especially with departments associated with SWD since it is critical to their educational career. In addition, the Ministry of Education should also help to promote and support the education of SWD from a young age, even at school, so that by the time they come to university, their integration into higher education is much smoother than Show more

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Research Topics & Ideas: Education

170+ Research Ideas To Fast-Track Your Project

If you’re just starting out exploring education-related topics for your dissertation, thesis or research project, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll help kickstart your research topic ideation process by providing a hearty list of research topics and ideas , including examples from actual dissertations and theses..

PS – This is just the start…

We know it’s exciting to run through a list of research topics, but please keep in mind that this list is just a starting point . To develop a suitable education-related research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , and a viable plan of action to fill that gap.

If this sounds foreign to you, check out our free research topic webinar that explores how to find and refine a high-quality research topic, from scratch. Alternatively, if you’d like hands-on help, consider our 1-on-1 coaching service .

Overview: Education Research Topics

• How to find a research topic (video)
• List of 50+ education-related research topics/ideas
• List of 120+ level-specific research topics 
• Examples of actual dissertation topics in education
• Tips to fast-track your topic ideation (video)
• Free Webinar : Topic Ideation 101
• Where to get extra help

Education-Related Research Topics & Ideas

Below you’ll find a list of education-related research topics and idea kickstarters. These are fairly broad and flexible to various contexts, so keep in mind that you will need to refine them a little. Nevertheless, they should inspire some ideas for your project.

• The impact of school funding on student achievement
• The effects of social and emotional learning on student well-being
• The effects of parental involvement on student behaviour
• The impact of teacher training on student learning
• The impact of classroom design on student learning
• The impact of poverty on education
• The use of student data to inform instruction
• The role of parental involvement in education
• The effects of mindfulness practices in the classroom
• The use of technology in the classroom
• The role of critical thinking in education
• The use of formative and summative assessments in the classroom
• The use of differentiated instruction in the classroom
• The use of gamification in education
• The effects of teacher burnout on student learning
• The impact of school leadership on student achievement
• The effects of teacher diversity on student outcomes
• The role of teacher collaboration in improving student outcomes
• The implementation of blended and online learning
• The effects of teacher accountability on student achievement
• The effects of standardized testing on student learning
• The effects of classroom management on student behaviour
• The effects of school culture on student achievement
• The use of student-centred learning in the classroom
• The impact of teacher-student relationships on student outcomes
• The achievement gap in minority and low-income students
• The use of culturally responsive teaching in the classroom
• The impact of teacher professional development on student learning
• The use of project-based learning in the classroom
• The effects of teacher expectations on student achievement
• The use of adaptive learning technology in the classroom
• The impact of teacher turnover on student learning
• The effects of teacher recruitment and retention on student learning
• The impact of early childhood education on later academic success
• The impact of parental involvement on student engagement
• The use of positive reinforcement in education
• The impact of school climate on student engagement
• The role of STEM education in preparing students for the workforce
• The effects of school choice on student achievement
• The use of technology in the form of online tutoring

Level-Specific Research Topics

Looking for research topics for a specific level of education? We’ve got you covered. Below you can find research topic ideas for primary, secondary and tertiary-level education contexts. Click the relevant level to view the respective list.

Research Topics: Pick An Education Level

Primary education.

• Investigating the effects of peer tutoring on academic achievement in primary school
• Exploring the benefits of mindfulness practices in primary school classrooms
• Examining the effects of different teaching strategies on primary school students’ problem-solving skills
• The use of storytelling as a teaching strategy in primary school literacy instruction
• The role of cultural diversity in promoting tolerance and understanding in primary schools
• The impact of character education programs on moral development in primary school students
• Investigating the use of technology in enhancing primary school mathematics education
• The impact of inclusive curriculum on promoting equity and diversity in primary schools
• The impact of outdoor education programs on environmental awareness in primary school students
• The influence of school climate on student motivation and engagement in primary schools
• Investigating the effects of early literacy interventions on reading comprehension in primary school students
• The impact of parental involvement in school decision-making processes on student achievement in primary schools
• Exploring the benefits of inclusive education for students with special needs in primary schools
• Investigating the effects of teacher-student feedback on academic motivation in primary schools
• The role of technology in developing digital literacy skills in primary school students
• Effective strategies for fostering a growth mindset in primary school students
• Investigating the role of parental support in reducing academic stress in primary school children
• The role of arts education in fostering creativity and self-expression in primary school students
• Examining the effects of early childhood education programs on primary school readiness
• Examining the effects of homework on primary school students’ academic performance
• The role of formative assessment in improving learning outcomes in primary school classrooms
• The impact of teacher-student relationships on academic outcomes in primary school
• Investigating the effects of classroom environment on student behavior and learning outcomes in primary schools
• Investigating the role of creativity and imagination in primary school curriculum
• The impact of nutrition and healthy eating programs on academic performance in primary schools
• The impact of social-emotional learning programs on primary school students’ well-being and academic performance
• The role of parental involvement in academic achievement of primary school children
• Examining the effects of classroom management strategies on student behavior in primary school
• The role of school leadership in creating a positive school climate Exploring the benefits of bilingual education in primary schools
• The effectiveness of project-based learning in developing critical thinking skills in primary school students
• The role of inquiry-based learning in fostering curiosity and critical thinking in primary school students
• The effects of class size on student engagement and achievement in primary schools
• Investigating the effects of recess and physical activity breaks on attention and learning in primary school
• Exploring the benefits of outdoor play in developing gross motor skills in primary school children
• The effects of educational field trips on knowledge retention in primary school students
• Examining the effects of inclusive classroom practices on students’ attitudes towards diversity in primary schools
• The impact of parental involvement in homework on primary school students’ academic achievement
• Investigating the effectiveness of different assessment methods in primary school classrooms
• The influence of physical activity and exercise on cognitive development in primary school children
• Exploring the benefits of cooperative learning in promoting social skills in primary school students

Secondary Education

• Investigating the effects of school discipline policies on student behavior and academic success in secondary education
• The role of social media in enhancing communication and collaboration among secondary school students
• The impact of school leadership on teacher effectiveness and student outcomes in secondary schools
• Investigating the effects of technology integration on teaching and learning in secondary education
• Exploring the benefits of interdisciplinary instruction in promoting critical thinking skills in secondary schools
• The impact of arts education on creativity and self-expression in secondary school students
• The effectiveness of flipped classrooms in promoting student learning in secondary education
• The role of career guidance programs in preparing secondary school students for future employment
• Investigating the effects of student-centered learning approaches on student autonomy and academic success in secondary schools
• The impact of socio-economic factors on educational attainment in secondary education
• Investigating the impact of project-based learning on student engagement and academic achievement in secondary schools
• Investigating the effects of multicultural education on cultural understanding and tolerance in secondary schools
• The influence of standardized testing on teaching practices and student learning in secondary education
• Investigating the effects of classroom management strategies on student behavior and academic engagement in secondary education
• The influence of teacher professional development on instructional practices and student outcomes in secondary schools
• The role of extracurricular activities in promoting holistic development and well-roundedness in secondary school students
• Investigating the effects of blended learning models on student engagement and achievement in secondary education
• The role of physical education in promoting physical health and well-being among secondary school students
• Investigating the effects of gender on academic achievement and career aspirations in secondary education
• Exploring the benefits of multicultural literature in promoting cultural awareness and empathy among secondary school students
• The impact of school counseling services on student mental health and well-being in secondary schools
• Exploring the benefits of vocational education and training in preparing secondary school students for the workforce
• The role of digital literacy in preparing secondary school students for the digital age
• The influence of parental involvement on academic success and well-being of secondary school students
• The impact of social-emotional learning programs on secondary school students’ well-being and academic success
• The role of character education in fostering ethical and responsible behavior in secondary school students
• Examining the effects of digital citizenship education on responsible and ethical technology use among secondary school students
• The impact of parental involvement in school decision-making processes on student outcomes in secondary schools
• The role of educational technology in promoting personalized learning experiences in secondary schools
• The impact of inclusive education on the social and academic outcomes of students with disabilities in secondary schools
• The influence of parental support on academic motivation and achievement in secondary education
• The role of school climate in promoting positive behavior and well-being among secondary school students
• Examining the effects of peer mentoring programs on academic achievement and social-emotional development in secondary schools
• Examining the effects of teacher-student relationships on student motivation and achievement in secondary schools
• Exploring the benefits of service-learning programs in promoting civic engagement among secondary school students
• The impact of educational policies on educational equity and access in secondary education
• Examining the effects of homework on academic achievement and student well-being in secondary education
• Investigating the effects of different assessment methods on student performance in secondary schools
• Examining the effects of single-sex education on academic performance and gender stereotypes in secondary schools
• The role of mentoring programs in supporting the transition from secondary to post-secondary education

Tertiary Education

• The role of student support services in promoting academic success and well-being in higher education
• The impact of internationalization initiatives on students’ intercultural competence and global perspectives in tertiary education
• Investigating the effects of active learning classrooms and learning spaces on student engagement and learning outcomes in tertiary education
• Exploring the benefits of service-learning experiences in fostering civic engagement and social responsibility in higher education
• The influence of learning communities and collaborative learning environments on student academic and social integration in higher education
• Exploring the benefits of undergraduate research experiences in fostering critical thinking and scientific inquiry skills
• Investigating the effects of academic advising and mentoring on student retention and degree completion in higher education
• The role of student engagement and involvement in co-curricular activities on holistic student development in higher education
• The impact of multicultural education on fostering cultural competence and diversity appreciation in higher education
• The role of internships and work-integrated learning experiences in enhancing students’ employability and career outcomes
• Examining the effects of assessment and feedback practices on student learning and academic achievement in tertiary education
• The influence of faculty professional development on instructional practices and student outcomes in tertiary education
• The influence of faculty-student relationships on student success and well-being in tertiary education
• The impact of college transition programs on students’ academic and social adjustment to higher education
• The impact of online learning platforms on student learning outcomes in higher education
• The impact of financial aid and scholarships on access and persistence in higher education
• The influence of student leadership and involvement in extracurricular activities on personal development and campus engagement
• Exploring the benefits of competency-based education in developing job-specific skills in tertiary students
• Examining the effects of flipped classroom models on student learning and retention in higher education
• Exploring the benefits of online collaboration and virtual team projects in developing teamwork skills in tertiary students
• Investigating the effects of diversity and inclusion initiatives on campus climate and student experiences in tertiary education
• The influence of study abroad programs on intercultural competence and global perspectives of college students
• Investigating the effects of peer mentoring and tutoring programs on student retention and academic performance in tertiary education
• Investigating the effectiveness of active learning strategies in promoting student engagement and achievement in tertiary education
• Investigating the effects of blended learning models and hybrid courses on student learning and satisfaction in higher education
• The role of digital literacy and information literacy skills in supporting student success in the digital age
• Investigating the effects of experiential learning opportunities on career readiness and employability of college students
• The impact of e-portfolios on student reflection, self-assessment, and showcasing of learning in higher education
• The role of technology in enhancing collaborative learning experiences in tertiary classrooms
• The impact of research opportunities on undergraduate student engagement and pursuit of advanced degrees
• Examining the effects of competency-based assessment on measuring student learning and achievement in tertiary education
• Examining the effects of interdisciplinary programs and courses on critical thinking and problem-solving skills in college students
• The role of inclusive education and accessibility in promoting equitable learning experiences for diverse student populations
• The role of career counseling and guidance in supporting students’ career decision-making in tertiary education
• The influence of faculty diversity and representation on student success and inclusive learning environments in higher education

Education-Related Dissertations & Theses

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic in education, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses in the education space to see how this all comes together in practice.

Below, we’ve included a selection of education-related research projects to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• From Rural to Urban: Education Conditions of Migrant Children in China (Wang, 2019)
• Energy Renovation While Learning English: A Guidebook for Elementary ESL Teachers (Yang, 2019)
• A Reanalyses of Intercorrelational Matrices of Visual and Verbal Learners’ Abilities, Cognitive Styles, and Learning Preferences (Fox, 2020)
• A study of the elementary math program utilized by a mid-Missouri school district (Barabas, 2020)
• Instructor formative assessment practices in virtual learning environments : a posthumanist sociomaterial perspective (Burcks, 2019)
• Higher education students services: a qualitative study of two mid-size universities’ direct exchange programs (Kinde, 2020)
• Exploring editorial leadership : a qualitative study of scholastic journalism advisers teaching leadership in Missouri secondary schools (Lewis, 2020)
• Selling the virtual university: a multimodal discourse analysis of marketing for online learning (Ludwig, 2020)
• Advocacy and accountability in school counselling: assessing the use of data as related to professional self-efficacy (Matthews, 2020)
• The use of an application screening assessment as a predictor of teaching retention at a midwestern, K-12, public school district (Scarbrough, 2020)
• Core values driving sustained elite performance cultures (Beiner, 2020)
• Educative features of upper elementary Eureka math curriculum (Dwiggins, 2020)
• How female principals nurture adult learning opportunities in successful high schools with challenging student demographics (Woodward, 2020)
• The disproportionality of Black Males in Special Education: A Case Study Analysis of Educator Perceptions in a Southeastern Urban High School (McCrae, 2021)

As you can see, these research topics are a lot more focused than the generic topic ideas we presented earlier. So, in order for you to develop a high-quality research topic, you’ll need to get specific and laser-focused on a specific context with specific variables of interest.  In the video below, we explore some other important things you’ll need to consider when crafting your research topic.

Get 1-On-1 Help

If you’re still unsure about how to find a quality research topic within education, check out our Research Topic Kickstarter service, which is the perfect starting point for developing a unique, well-justified research topic.

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parental involvement and students academic performance

Science education topics?

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How about School management and supervision pls.?

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Project-based learning is a teaching/learning type,if well applied in a classroom setting will yield serious positive impact. What can a teacher do to implement this in a disadvantaged zone like “North West Region of Cameroon ( hinterland) where war has brought about prolonged and untold sufferings on the indegins?

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Look at British Library as they keep a copy of all PhDs in the UK Core.ac.uk to access Open University and 6 other university e-archives, pdf downloads mostly available, all free.

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I am a graduate with two masters. 1) Master of arts in religious studies and 2) Master in education in foundations of education. I intend to do a Ph.D. on my second master’s, however, I need to bring both masters together through my Ph.D. research. can I do something like, ” The contribution of Philosophy of education for a quality religion education in Kenya”? kindly, assist and be free to suggest a similar topic that will bring together the two masters. thanks in advance

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Although research activities and topics should stem from reflection on one’s practice, I found this site valuable as it effectively addressed many issues we have been experiencing as practitioners.

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THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INCLUSIVE EDUCATION ON LEARNERS WITH DISABILITIES

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Inclusion and Belonging in the Classroom – Undergraduate Perspectives

This resource is intended to support instructors, teaching assistants (TAs), and other teaching staff with recommendations from a student panel on how to make learning environments more conducive to Stanford IDEAL principles. 

In 2023, the TEACH Conference, which is now the Teaching Commons Conference , explored facilitating Stanford’s IDEAL values , engagement, well-being, and belonging among teachers and learners at Stanford and beyond. In an undergraduate student discussion panel, we focused on these themes from the student perspective. These principles and experiences emerged from our discussion.

About the CDA+ student panel

We are a group of dedicated students who work directly with IntroSems to help shape the educational environment at Stanford. We take an active role in various initiatives and events, such as the IDEAL initiative and the Teaching Commons Conference, to ensure that our classrooms are inclusive, diverse, and conducive to learning for everyone. We believe in the power of student voices in shaping policies and practices that affect our learning experience and are committed to making our classrooms more inclusive and equitable.

Set the stage for mutual understanding

Meet students where they are.

Students come to Stanford from many different places, school systems, and cultural contexts. Some students will undoubtedly have more background knowledge of your course subject matter than other students, due to differences in background, education systems, and access to educational resources. For example, Student A may have been offered more AP courses at their secondary school than Student B. This is very common: see “ Closing Advanced Coursework Equity Gaps for All Students ”.

As a facilitator of the learning environment, you can survey the domain knowledge levels your students are entering with, and adapt your course materials accordingly.  A pre-course survey is an excellent way to achieve this. See a downloadable sample pre-class survey here (Google Form; right-click and select Make a copy for your own use). The content of your survey will depend on the size, discipline, and level of the course you are teaching.

Suppose you are teaching an introductory computer science course with mostly first-year students and sophomores. In that case, you might consider sending out a survey due early in the quarter that asks about their experience with coding and code in the classroom. If you are teaching a higher-level course, have clear prerequisites in the course description so that students know what background knowledge is necessary. Actions like these can help prevent students from feeling less competent due to circumstances out of their control.

Set clear communication expectations

Setting clear expectations for course communication benefits all parties involved. At the beginning of the quarter, post a communication plan to Canvas, the course syllabus, or both. Specify how students can communicate with the teaching team (instructor email, mailing list, Ed Discussion , Canvas, etc.) and how soon they can expect a response (e.g., within 48 hours). Be sure to let students know how you plan to communicate with them (Canvas announcements, emails, etc.) so that they know where to look for important course communications.

Tip : encourage students to configure their Canvas notification settings to ensure that they receive important announcements and course updates. Students, not instructors, are in control of which notifications they receive from Canvas. See this helpful guide for managing Canvas notification settings .

No question is a bad question 

Mustering up the courage to speak up in a room full of your peers can be daunting, especially in your first or second year at Stanford. But asking questions is crucial to everyone’s learning experience. As an instructor, with every student question you respond to, you have the opportunity to make the student feel understood, heard, and more confident in their understanding of course content.

Make a habit of acknowledging each question. For example, saying "Thank you for your question," is a way to acknowledge that you have heard and value the question, especially if it comes from a student who you have not heard from before. This will make your students feel more comfortable in the classroom, more receptive to the material, and more likely to succeed in the class.

Please do not ever ridicule or dismiss a student with seemingly silly questions – you were once a beginner too! If a student is asking questions that require a bit more time than you have to answer, kindly redirect them to talk with you after class or during office hours.

Foster meaningful connections 

Make room for one-on-one interactions.

Host office hours regularly, either on a drop-in basis or by appointment. If you have a smaller class, encourage every student to meet with you one-on-one at least once. This will go a long way toward establishing a connection with each and every student.

It may sound silly, but students often perceive instructors similarly to how they perceive celebrities, especially when instructors are renowned in their field. Having an individual conversation with your instructor is like talking to a living, breathing embodiment of the subject itself. A positive or negative interaction can inspire a student or deter them from the field for years to come.

Get to know your class

Small actions, such as addressing students by their names, can go a long way toward increasing student comfort and engagement. In your pre-class survey, you could ask about your students’ interests which they are willing to share, and take the time to read over all responses. Students appreciate when you express genuine interest in their hobbies, goals, and successes as individuals. If you have a large class size and can’t memorize every student’s profile, reference their responses to this form before conducting one-on-one meetings. 

Assign groups thoughtfully 

You can also facilitate belonging among students through the ways in which you assign discussion or work groups. While some students appreciate having the freedom to choose their own groups, other students may feel uncomfortable or anxious about finding a group. Consider designating student groups for some activities and assignments, as you see fit.

Here are some suggestions for how to assign student groups in a creative way. To determine groups in a relatively random way, try grouping students by birth month, which side of campus they live on (east campus vs. west campus), or flavor preferences (sweet vs. salty vs. sour vs. spicy). We suggest avoiding demographic features, like students’ grade levels and where they lived before coming to Stanford, to form groups, as this can reduce the diversity of ideas within each group.

Student perspectives

These reflections and direct examples are based on the following prompt:

What is something your instructor did to make you feel like you belonged? Describe a memorable and positive classroom interaction.

I felt most welcome when the instructor of a large lecture course knew my name without me ever having to introduce myself. In classes with hundreds of students, I don’t typically expect the instructor to remember my name, even if I have talked with them over email or during office hours. One day in this class, I decided to raise my hand to respond to a question that the professor had asked. The professor smiled at me and said, “Julia?”, making sure that she had gotten my name correct. I was stunned–how did she know my name? I was both honored and impressed that she had gone out of her way to learn her many students’ names.

The professor smiled at me and said, “Julia?”, making sure that she had gotten my name correct. I was stunned – how did she know my name? I was both honored and impressed that she had gone out of her way to learn her many students’ names.

Although I had previously viewed myself as just another anonymous student, I realized that she truly saw me as an individual. At a research conference later that month, the same professor stopped by to say hello to me. We chatted about how this was my first conference, and she congratulated me on this accomplishment. Even after the quarter had ended, she continued to show me that I was valued as a student. Small gestures often have a much larger impact than we expect them to.

My most memorable and positive interaction with a teaching team was when I got to tag along for lunch with the TAs and professor of my neuroscience IntroSem before class. The teaching team had catered lunches at the lab every Wednesday, and our IntroSem was at 1:30, so if students wanted to come to eat and chat an hour before class we were welcome to do so. As a freshman at Stanford, I had no idea where my life was going to take me or even what my major would be. But I had the insightful opportunity to ask every lab member about how they ended up here at Stanford Medicine, what they studied during undergrad, and what they value most about their contribution to the lab. Some of them did not even have a neuroscience background during undergrad, yet here they were! This made me feel so relieved – it’s okay to pivot , I thought to myself.

The experience was a great reassuring moment to me that I didn’t have to have my whole life figured out in my first year at Stanford. The teaching team assured me that life is long and fruitful, which made me even more excited to immerse myself in the course content. This simple incentive of free, non-dining-hall lunch to learn more about my teaching team and their work is one I still remember fondly post-graduation. 

I felt most welcome when I built relationships with instructors that felt less transactional. For example, I was in a seminar last year where our final project was an argumentative policy proposal on a topic of our choosing. When I met with my instructor to share my ideas, he smiled, gave me some guidance, and thanked me for teaching him something new. When professors, lecturers, or even teaching assistants find some way to close the inevitable power dynamic of classroom settings, I feel welcome.

Sometimes, however, it is infeasible for professors of hundred-person classes to provide individual feedback. Even when this is not possible, taking the time to share small personal anecdotes or your favorite hobbies are all incredible ways for instructors to relate to their students. Instructors play a pivotal role in directing students’ academic journeys and making room for kindness and genuineness in the classroom by minimizing power differentials in shaping the future of education.

I felt most welcome when I was in a class where I did not know many students and the teacher made an effort to have everyone talk and feel comfortable. She did it in a fun way though: when we arrived at the class we sat chronologically according to our birthdays, and then she grouped up the people with the same months. 

• Ten Strategies to Promote Student Flourishing
• Building Inclusive Community
• What I Wish My Professor Knew
• Setting Norms and Commitments

Works Cited

" Provost’s Statement on Diversity and Inclusion " (2021) by The Office of Provost Persis Drell

" 2023 TEACH Conference: IDEAL Belonging & Wellness " (2023) by Stanford Teaching Commons

" Closing Advanced Coursework Equity Gaps for All Students " (2021) by the Center for American Progress

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