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"With a Little Help from My Friends": Co-Creating Belonging in Higher Education
Faiza Aman1, Zak Evans1, Stephanie White1
1Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neurosciences, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK.
Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 27, 2026
Summary
Universities can foster student belonging through co-created initiatives. Grassroots projects, like art clubs and hackathons, enhance connection, but require careful design and inclusive outreach for success.
Area of Science:
- Higher Education
- Student Engagement
- Community Building
Background:
- Universities aim to enhance students' sense of belonging.
- Student connection and inclusion are critical for institutional success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the "BE At King's" program, a seed-funded initiative supporting grassroots, co-created projects.
- To understand how these initiatives strengthen connection and inclusion in a large university setting.
Main Methods:
- Mixed-methods evaluation of five student- and staff-led projects.
- Quantitative surveys (n=202) assessed belonging.
- Qualitative thematic analysis identified key fostering factors.
Main Results:
- High overall belonging reported, with structured, interactive initiatives linked to meeting people and feeling connected.
- Four themes emerged: Refreshing Routines, Inclusive Conditions, Community Leadership, and Layered Engagement.
- Grassroots initiatives can engage less-connected students.
Conclusions:
- Belonging is fostered through predictable routines, safe spaces, and shared ownership.
- Successful grassroots initiatives require careful design, inclusive outreach, and sustained facilitation.
- Universities should integrate belonging into institutional life via co-produced, flexible, and responsive approaches.
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