Warwick Building Belonging Framework

The Warwick Building Belonging Framework is designed to help anyone at Warwick – staff or students – put belonging into practice.

Whether you’re teaching, supporting students, managing a team, organising activities or shaping policy, this framework gives you practical actions you can take to create environments where people feel valued, connected and able to contribute.

Referencing this work: Hide-Wright, I., Ritchie, T., Alcock, A., & Mencarini, L, (2024). Warwick Building Belonging Framework.

The framework has been co‑developed by Warwick staff and students, and is free to use and adapt for non-commercial purposes under licence CC-BY‑NC 4.0.

Using the Warwick Building Belonging Framework

Belonging looks different for everyone, so the framework avoids a fixed definition.

Instead, it focuses on four connected elements that make belonging possible; inclusion, mattering, connection and empowerment.

These four elements are built on a foundation of trust, which enables all the above to grow.

These elements aren't steps; they work together. Improving one often strengthens the others.

Modes of participation

The framework invites you to consider the four elements of belonging through three modes of participation - for, with and by others.

This helps you consider not only what you do to foster a sense of belonging, but how collaboratively you do it.

Hover over the graphic to learn more.

Building belonging
as staff

Use this content to support planning, professional development, team discussion and real‑world application.

Building belonging
as students

Explore this guidance to help with planning society activities, peer leadership, training and reflective practice.

Building Belonging:
The research

Find out why the framework exists and how it was developed. You'll also find useful external resources.

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