About the project
The project runs from October 2022 to June 2026 and is funded by the British Academy/Wolfson Fellowship.
Background
While universities often present themselves as inclusive, students and staff of colour describe feeling isolated and struggling to fit in.
The addition of other marginalised identities e.g., religion and gender, can further compound these experiences. This has consequences on success, retention and progression. Yet much research overlooks these nuances and complexities.
This project focuses on female Muslim students and academic staff in UK-based universities. The project aims to understand and highlight how the interplay between ethnicity, religion and gender shape experiences and outcomes. It also aims to identify insights for:
Methodology
The project will consist of three phases:
- Phase 1 – The student experience: undergraduates and postgraduate (taught and research).
- Phase 2 – Working in academia: Research/academic staff.
- Phase 3 – Research dissemination.
Phase 1 – The student experience: undergraduates and postgraduate (taught and research)
We will recruit 30 Muslim women students for this phase, including:
- 10 undergraduates from all year groups
- 10 postgraduate taught, and
- 10 PhD students.
We will conduct walking interviews – walking through their university building(s) and spaces while conducting the interview. This will provide meaningful insights into lived experiences and the spaces in which they take place.
In addition, we will use Photovoice – a participatory method in which participants use photography to document and reflect on their experiences. This will bring auto-ethnographical insights and perspectives.
Participants will be asked to take up to 10 images which reflect and/or represent their experiences as Muslim women at university. As part of this, participants will be invited to attend a photography workshop run by artist Alaa Alsaraji.
The photography workshop will enable participants to develop a skill in photography. This ensures that participants are able to take something concrete from their participation beyond the research agenda. The workshop will consist of:
- a 2.5 hour-led session, with the artist taking participants through tips on taking images, and
- the opportunity to do a ‘walk around’ capturing images which allow them to apply what they have learnt.
Phase 2 – Working in academia: Research/academic staff
Ten Muslim women academic staff will be recruited for this phase. One-to-one semi-structured interviews will be used to capture the experiences of staff.
This difference in methodology compared to phase 1 importantly considers several factors:
- The time-constraints and pressures on academic staff.
- Protecting and ensuring confidentiality of the staff participants.
Given the low number of staff of colour, let alone Muslim female staff, and the inevitable concerns around discussing issues related to the research project on job security and their relationship with other faculty members, it becomes integral that the research methodology is as sensitive to this as possible. Interviews will be conducted in a private space of the participant’s choice.
Phase 3 – Research dissemination
An exhibition will be curated bringing together the photographs and narratives from the project.
This will allow for communicating the research findings through non-traditional means used in academia. It broadens the reach and expands the possibilities for communicating academic research.
Findings will also be published through peer-reviewed journal articles. They will also be presented throughout the course of the project at a range of academic conferences both nationally and internationally. Thus, the findings will reach a range of audiences from relevant different disciplinary backgrounds and professional expertise.
Events
06 Jun to 18 Jun
Contact us
Thomas Coram Research Unit (TCRU)
Social Research Institute
UCL Institute of Education
University College London
55–59 Gordon Square
London WC1H 0NU
Image: Alaa Alsaraji.