I Probably Have a Closer Relationship with my Internet Provider: Experiences of Belonging (or Not) among Mature-aged Regional and Remote University Students (Crawford et al., 2022)

Mature-aged students in regional and remote Australia often feel invisible, misunderstood, and undervalued within the university landscape. However, some students report feeling visible and known. Factors associated with inclusion and belonging include study mode, socio-economic status, mental health conditions, and available supports. Qualitative analysis reveals that connections with university staff, familiarity with systems and places, and feeling included in academic communities contribute to students’ sense of belonging. Yet, due to institutional approaches, many students’ experiences fall short of supportive and caring learning communities.