Politicising inclusive learning environments: how to foster belonging and challenge ableism?

Abstract

Inclusive learning environments have been described as a crucial factor for fostering disabled students’ sense of belonging in higher education. However, few empirical studies have elaborated on how learning environments contribute to disabled students’ belonging. In this study, we have taken a socio-political approach and widen the theoretical understanding of ‘belonging’. We analyse three Finnish disabled students’ narrative interviews concerning their experiences of learning environments through a narrative approach. Our findings highlight the complex interplay of learning environments and belonging in the context of STEM and large class sizes. We discuss the role of active learning environments for supporting disabled students’ belonging. The narratives show how not belonging might be more productive for these students, as the learning environments are often built on ableism. We redefined inclusive learning environment design and their research as socio-political endeavours: If teachers wish to promote belonging through learning environment design, such design needs to disrupt the broader ableist discourses of higher education.