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

Evangelista, Z. , Lido, C. , Swingler, M. and Bohan, J. (2022) Exploring LGBT+ campus climate in the UK and Philippines: How prejudice and belonging shape inclusion in higher education. European Journal of Social Psychology, 52(2), pp. 342-360. (doi: 10.1002/ejsp.2801)

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 United Kingdom. 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 = 2,107). 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.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Funding statement: This work is supported by a Newton Fund grant, under the Newton-CHED PhD Scholarship Programme partnership. The grant is funded by the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Commission on Higher Education (Philippines) and delivered by the British Council. For further information, please visit www.newtonfund.ac.uk.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bohan, Dr Jason and Swingler, Dr Maxine and Evangelista, Ms Zyra and Lido, Professor Catherine
• Authors: Evangelista, Z., Lido, C., Swingler, M., and Bohan, J.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Psychology; College of Social Sciences > School of Education; College of Social Sciences > School of Education > People, Place & Social Change
• Journal Name: European Journal of Social Psychology
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 0046-2772
• ISSN (Online): 1099-0992
• Published Online: 20 August 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 John Wiley and Sons Ltd.
• First Published: First published in European Journal of Social Psychology 52(2): 342-360
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy