Understanding Student Experiences 

Academic leads: Dr Nazire Duran & Dr Suzanne Froggatt-Gray 

We have ongoing research in a number of areas related to student experience. Dr Nazire Duran and Dr Suzanne Froggatt-Gray have conducted focus groups with international students (both English as a first language and as a second language) and with home students, on their expectations, suggestions, and understanding of assessment criteria and academic support. 

Dr Jacky Chan has research on understanding international students' social experiences at university and with Dr Trevor James has conducted research on Chinese students' sense of belonging at a Russell Group institution. This includes understanding accent discrimination and Chinese students' understanding of 'class' in England.

Dr Trevor James also has a line of research focusing on social class, accent, and well-being. Working with local students, he has conducted qualitative research (Reflexive Thematic Analysis and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis) on college experiences, north-south accent discrimination, and how this affects academic engagement and wellbeing.

Chloe Fielding, Dr Sophie Hodgetts, and Dr Trevor James have also engaged with qualitative research (Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis) on understanding how neurodiverse students experience using AI at university (something overlooked in mainstream AI research in education) and how it shapes their social and academic interactions as well as their studies.

Please contact us if you'd like to know more about this research, take part, or collaborate