Exploring LGBT+ campus climate in the UK and Philippines: How prejudice and belonging shape inclusion in higher education

Zyra M. Evangelista*, Catherine Lido, Maxine Swingler, Jason Bohan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Although recent global developments suggest progress toward LGBT+ equality, institutional structures perpetuating differential treatment based on sexual orientation and gender identity persist. The present research employed a mixed-method campus climate study of LGBT+ and cis-heterosexual students sampled from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the Philippines and the UK. Phase 1 reports a large-scale survey assessing relationships among students’ social attitudes toward LGBT+, campus climate perceptions and experiences of harassment, well-being, academic persistence, and social identity belonging within the university (LGBT+ = 877; cis-heterosexual = 2107). Phase 2 reports focus groups and interviews with 35 LGBT+ students, further exploring their campus climate experiences. Triangulated results highlight the role of social identity belonging in creating positive LGBT+ campus climates. Fostering belonging, through visible institutional support for intersectional LGBT+ student organisations and endorsement of LGBT+ inclusive policies and programmes, is recommended for creating safe and inclusive spaces for LGBT+ students.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)342-360
Number of pages19
JournalEuropean Journal of Social Psychology
Volume52
Issue number2
Early online date5 May 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 Jun 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by a Newton Fund PhD Grant (ID 332415646) under the Newton‐Agham partnership. The grant is funded by the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Philippine Commission on Higher Education and delivered by the British Council. For further information, please visit www.newtonfund.ac.uk .

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Data Availability Statement

Data available on request due to privacy/ethical restrictions.

TRANSPARENCY STATEMENT
Supplementary information is available at https://osf.io/265d8/.

Keywords

  • campus climate
  • higher education
  • LGBT
  • prejudice
  • social identity

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