Sense of belonging and community with Dr Nadine Cavigioli

This session is focused on facilitating authentic conversations relating to your lived experiences of being a mature part-time student, studying at a distance. We will explore the motivations for why you decided to return to education, as well as reflect on the realities of being a mature part-time student. In addition, we will also consider to what extent you feel a sense of belonging and community as a student. In respecting confidentiality, the session will not be recorded and there will be no expectation for you to share anything you do not feel comfortable talking about.

You will receive a short pre-session anonymous questionnaire which is aimed at capturing some of your initial thoughts on the above themes, which will help me in facilitating discussions that have relevance to you.

Prior to the session there will be a pre-recording of a conversation between myself and Joanne Mulvihill-Allen in which I’ll be sharing my lived experience of having working-class heritage (free school meals, no A levels), being the first in my family to attend university which, combined with being perimenopausal and having undiagnosed ADHD, led to overwhelming self-doubt and mental health challenges during my 13 years of being a mature part-time student. My Deputy Programme Manager and Research Fellow roles at the University of Leeds focus on supporting marginalised, under-represented and minoritised students, so reflections from my practice will be shared.

I look forward very much to meeting with you all and taking part in these valuable discussions. Please don’t hesitate to contact me via the programme team if you have any questions or concerns.

Dr Nadine Cavigioli PGCE, MA, EdD