Welcome!

On this webpage you will find a bank of resources to support students and staff alike in understanding and applying the Building Belonging Framework.

The Building Belonging Framework is designed to support you in identifying and strengthening the four key elements that contribute to building belonging:

• Inclusion: Creating environments where everyone can fully participate
• Mattering: Ensuring individuals feel valued and significant
• Empowerment: Enabling agency and self-determination
• Connection: Fostering meaningful relationships

All of these elements are enabled by trust, which forms the foundation of true belonging.

Whether you are designing, reviewing, or participating in initiatives the resources on this page have been developed, through the WIHEA Building Belonging Learning Circle, to support you in discussing and capturing opportunities through the lens of the Warwick Belonging Framework.

We've put together a short video to help you get oriented with the framework and these resources:

Belonging Framework

External Resources and References:

• Building Belonging: Online | Advance HE
• College-Students-Sense-of-Belonging

• Reimagining the place of students in academic development: International Journal for Academic Development: Vol 24, No 2

• Relationship-Rich Education: How Human Connections Drive Success in College - Peter Felten, Leo M. Lambert

• Engineering students trust teachers who ask, listen, and respond

• How does GenAI affect trust in teacher-student relationships? Insights from students’ assessment experiences

The Complete GuideLink opens in a new window

This guide provides in-depth information about the Building Belonging Framework. It's designed for those who want to fully understand the project's principles, implementation strategies, and expected outcomes. Use this resource to develop your knowledge before introducing the framework to your department.

Belonging at a GlanceLink opens in a new window

This resource is designed to help you introduce the Building Belonging Framework to your colleagues, teams, and wider networks. It's ready-to-use for team meetings and other gatherings where you need to provide a quick, informative briefing about the project.

Snapshot ToolLink opens in a new window

This tool is designed to support you - whether you are designing, reviewing, or participating in initiatives - to discuss and capture opportunities through the lens of the framework. It helps you identify and strengthen the four key elements that contribute to building belonging

Self-Assessment ToolLink opens in a new window

The tool will support you in assessing and progressing your practice in terms of building belonging.

We are currently in the process of developing an interactive version of this self-assessment tool with the Flexible Online Learning team and Information and Digital Group.

Theory of ChangeLink opens in a new window

This resource outlines our Theory of Change for the Building Belonging Framework, illustrating how specific actions and strategies lead to meaningful outcomes. It maps the pathway from initial implementation to long-term impact, helping you understand the underpinning logic and evidence base for the framework.

Get Involved

Join our Learning Circle to connect with others implementing the framework, share experiences, and develop best practices together. This collaborative community offers regular opportunities for professional development and peer support.

For more information or to become a member, please contact Inca (Inca.O.Hide-Wright@warwick.ac.uk) and Tom (Tom.Ritchie@warwick.ac.uk) who can guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.

Please note, all the resources on this webpage are being actively developed and are the most up to date iterations.

If you think there is something confusing or missing from a resource or a resource itself, please share your feedback here.

Share Your Building Belonging Work here.

Are you working to support, improve and enhance one or multiple of the elements of belonging, working for, with and or being led by your audience?

Click here to share the work you are doing in this area. Your submission will form a case study* to support others in understanding and progressing their work.

*We are currently in the process of developing our case study catalogue space.