Conceptualizing Belonging in Higher Education

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 1:30 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Belongingness and Inclusivity in Higher Education (Table 2)

Abstract

We conducted a scoping review to examine how higher education scholars defined and operationalized ‘sense of belonging’ from 2000 to 2023. After utilizing descriptive, pattern, and in vivo coding, we identified five themes: support and connectedness on campus, development and individual desire, community and psychological connection, inclusion and acceptance, and fundamental human need. Our findings reveal significant variability and a lack of depth in existing definitions. We propose clearer conceptualizations and consistent operationalizations to enhance research validity. By elucidating the multifaceted nature of belonging, this study underscores its critical role in fostering student thriving, offering valuable insights for higher education researchers and practitioners aiming to support diverse student populations.

Authors

• Leia K. Cain, University of Tennessee

• Jennifer A. Morrow, University of Tennessee