Student social isolation: Remedying causes and impact in large business schools

Abstract

Social isolation is an issue for universities because most students experience various forms of isolation during their studies. This can be a more or less persistent feeling that impacts students’ wellbeing and/or their capacity to fulfil their study potential. Whether the causes are academic, environmental, socio-cultural or health related, social isolation can be remedied at the point of crisis or as a preventative measure throughout students’ university life. This research report examines the literature on social isolation and builds on two recent studies conducted with students enrolled in The University of Sydney Business School which provide incidental evidence of this. Both the Work.Live.Play.Learn (WLPL) project (Bryant & Yu, 2019) and the Abercrombie Teaching & Learning Spaces project (McEwen & Yeoman, 2019) have recorded incidences of social isolation reported by students from diverse backgrounds because of issues varying from large class sizes, to dealing with language and cultural barriers, motivation issues and financial struggles.