In February the Queering University programme launched the 'Understanding LGBTQUIA+ Student Experiences' project, in pursuit of a better institutional understanding of LGBTQUIA+ students' experiences at the University.

Alongside analysis of existing data on LGBTQUIA+ student prevalence, withdrawal, and attainment (with the kind support of the Strategic Planning & Analytics team), the programme created and distributed the first LGBTQUIA+ Student Experience Survey. We'd like to take this opportunity to thank the 342 LGBTQUIA+ students who kindly gave their time to complete the survey and share their experiences.

Whilst we are still undertaking further analysis on the data, we wanted to share the project's initial findings across eleven key themes with the University community at this point.

Some key findings:

• 11.1% of students at Warwick have explicitly declared that they're part of the LGBTQUIA+ community on their student records.
• 6 in 10 students (63%) felt staff's understanding of LGBTQUIA+ identities and experiences was generally good, but this fell to 3 in 10 (34%) students who felt staff had a good understanding of trans identities and experiences, (and just 22% of trans students). In terms of addressing the gap in staff knowledge, 7 in 8 students (87%) felt that dedicated LGBTQUIA+ inclusion training should be mandatory for all staff.
• Similarly, 61% of students felt that other students' understanding of LGBTQUIA+ identities and experiences was generally good, falling to 30% who felt other students had a good understanding of trans identities and experiences.
• 1 in 5 LGBTQUIA+ students (21%) had been subject to negative comments or behaviour at the University in the last year which they felt was related to their LGBTQUIA+ identity, and 30% had been witness to similar behaviour. Almost half (45%) had overheard language from other students or staff which was derogatory about LGBTQUIA+ identities, culture, or experiences. 3 in 5 trans students (62%) are not consistently addressed with the correct name and pronouns.
• 2 in 3 LGBTQUIA+ students (66%) had disguised/hidden/chosen not to share their LGBTQUIA+ identity in the last year because they were afraid of the consequences of coming out.
• 2 in 3 students (68%) were not aware of how to report LGBTQUIA+phobic language or behaviour at the University, whilst just over half (52%) would feel confident reporting LGBTQUIA+phobic behaviour to the University. Only 33% of LGBTQUIA+ students from an ethnic minority felt confident reporting LGBTQUIA+phobic behaviour.
• 6 in 10 students (60%) agreed that they are able to participate fully in the campus nightlife, though only 1 in 3 students (36%) agreed that they feel safe in the Copper Rooms.
• Half of students (50%) agreed that there is sufficient provision of welfare and student services to meet their needs, falling to 35% of trans students. Just under half of students (47%) felt they were likely to access support from Warwick's Wellbeing Services in the future, though 72% reported one or more barriers to accessing the service.
• Just 3% of students strongly agreed that where relevant, they could see their identities and experiences reflected in the syllabus. 1 in 4 students (25%) agreed somewhat. Only 9% of trans students agreed that they could see their identity and experiences reflected in the syllabus.
• 2 in 5 students (37%) agreed that their lecturers have engaged with queer and/or LGBTQUIA+ inclusive practices, with just over half (47%) agreeing that their department has engaged with queer and/or LGBTQUIA+ inclusive practices.
• 64% of student felt supported by the University, which remains relatively unchanged from 2018 (63%).
  By comparison, 56% of students felt supported by the Students' Union, which has dropped by 19 percentage points since 2018 when 75% of students felt supported by the Students' Union.

Read the full initial findings for yourself here. The webpage is intended as a living document, and will be updated with further findings as the project progresses.

Please contact the project lead, Sam Parr, via S.Parr.2@warwick.ac.uk with any questions.