Belonging: Blurring the Boundaries

Meharg, Debbie; Craighill, Stephanie; Varey, Alison; Cairncross, Sandra

Abstract

This paper applies Whitchurch’s (2008) concept of the ‘third space’ to the emergent territory occupied by further education college students as they ‘cross the boundary’ to continue their studies at the university. Findings reveal that these transitioning students face barriers to success, feelings of isolated and encounter negative perceptions. While this paper focuses on the Scottish education system and emphasises the Scottish Governments aim to remove barriers to widening access and participation in HE, the findings have a more general applicability and can support a variety of transitions made in the education sector. Research outcomes can, therefore, inform academic leaders, enhance the student experience, guide policy makers and aid knowledge transfer.

Citation

Meharg, D., Craighill, S., Varey, A., & Cairncross, S. (2017). Belonging: Blurring the Boundaries. Scottish Educational Review, 49(1), 89-103

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 11, 2017
• Publication Date: 2017-05
• Deposit Date: Sep 11, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 1, 2017
• Journal: Scottish Educational Review
• Publisher: University of Stirling, School of Education
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 49
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 89-103
• Keywords: FE to HE transition, FE students sense of belonging, third space and transitions in education, crossing the boundary from FE to HE,
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/965867
• Publisher URL: https://www.scotedreview.org.uk/media/microsites/scottish-educational-review/documents/2017/may/2017_49-1_May_07_Meharg.pdf