Afro‐Caribbean Societies: The impact on identity, segregation and integration in the university environment
Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education
ISSN: 2050-7003
Article publication date: 21 September 2012
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the suggestion that students from disadvantaged backgrounds become segregated from the wider university environment, cutting off their ability of engagement and having a voice within this arena. The limitations of university Student Unions is discussed, in terms of how they are disengaged themselves with understanding and relating to these independently run cultural groups.
Design/methodology/approach
The study has been carried out by a series of interviews within three university Afro‐Caribbean Societies (ACS's). The purpose of this is to create an internal view of the experiences of these groups and examine how being cut off from the wider university experience adds to their losses in equal student participation and engagement.
Findings
Although these societies embrace positive images within their cultures, the findings of this study suggests ways these societies can begin to integrate with their wider university societies and encourage engagement, in order to give their voices a platform in both academic and social arenas.
Originality/value
The study becomes an original contribution to existing literature by taking into account cultural groups which have not been acknowledged as already being segregated from the university experience.
Keywords
Citation
Adams, N. (2012), "Afro‐Caribbean Societies: The impact on identity, segregation and integration in the university environment", Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, Vol. 4 No. 2, pp. 203-216. https://doi.org/10.1108/17581181211273318
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited