Developing inclusive learning to improve the engagement, belonging, retention and success of students from diverse groups

This chapter explores the contribution of inclusive learning to the higher education experience and outcomes of students from diverse groups. More specifically, the chapter begins by providing an overview of outcome indicators for students from diverse groups, compared to the rest of the student population. It then considers the research evidence about how to improve the outcomes of students from equity groups, and pays particular attention to the findings from the ‘What works? Student retention and success’ programme in the UK. This study found that student engagement and belonging through their learning are integral to student success. In order to ensure that all students are engaged and feel like they belong, an inclusive learning approach can be employed to improve the experience and outcomes of students from diverse groups. An ongoing programme of work involving universities to implement and evaluate change to improve student engagement and belonging is drawn upon to provide some real-world examples of introducing more inclusive learning into specific programmes in UK universities. The chapter concludes with emergent lessons about the process of implementing changes to learning and teaching to improve the outcomes of students from diverse groups.