Challenging the traditional: how micro-communities bring about big change

Studying at a large university can be daunting, especially if you feel underrepresented amongst the staff and student body. Rachael O’Connor describes how ‘micro-communities’ within enormous institutions can bring students and staff together – and give them the confidence to speak out for broader cultural change that influences and develops the macro-level culture.

Doing things as we’ve always done them no longer feels like an option

—Dr Rachael O’Connor

Impact

• Access and inclusion: created a more inclusive educational culture which promoted knowledge-exchange and mentorship

Key information

• Disciplines: education, social sciences, equity, diversity and inclusion
• Investigators: Associate Professor Rachael O’Connor

Keywords: access and inclusion, equity, diversity and inclusion, cultural change, disability, discrimination, LGBTQ+, mentoring, ethnicity, higher education, micro-communities, wellbeing, teaching, student experience