The Scottish Tertiary Enhancement Programme (STEP) is the national enhancement programme for the Scottish tertiary sector. It is designed to enable Scotland’s colleges and universities to work together to improve and enhance learning, teaching, the student experience, and staff development. STEP is jointly managed by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Scotland and the College Development Network (CDN) and is funded by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC).

Appreciating Belonging and Enabling Change Project

STEP is funding the Appreciating Belonging and Enabling Change project, which is co-led by Heriot-Watt University and Dundee and Angus College. Now in Year 2, we are gathering examples of projects and activities that support students’ sense of belonging and mattering. Our aim is to learn by appreciating what is already working from across Scotland’s tertiary sector.

What is a sense of belonging and mattering? 

We understand that sense of belonging and mattering are complex. They relate to how students feel, their sense of value and agency, their relationships, how their needs are met, and the experiences they have at our colleges and universities.

We know that when our campuses and faculty support students to feel that they belong and that they matter, student engagement, achievement and retention are enhanced.

What are we looking for? 

We are looking for examples of practice that focus on students’ sense of belonging or mattering and are: 

  • sustained for two years or more, 
  • supported within the relevant institution, 
  • evaluated with some information that can be shared about its success, and 
  • shareable with others in the sector if we select it as a case study. 

How you can get involved 

  • If you have an example of practice to share, or can guide us to examples, please let us know by visiting The Belonging Project or scanning the QR code.
  • If you would like to be kept up to date with the project, please let us know by visiting The Belonging Project or scanning the QR code.
  • If you have any questions about the project please get in touch at STEPBelong@hw.ac.uk.

A collaborative approach 

We have a wonderful group of collaborative team members (staff and students) from the following institutions: 

  • Dundee and Angus College 
  • Glasgow Clyde College
  • Heriot-Watt University
  • Open University in Scotland
  • Robert Gordon University
  • Scotland’s Rural College
  • UHI North West and Hebrides

 

Image credit:

Helena Lopes, Unsplash