Designing Technology-Mediated Peer Support for Postgraduate Research Students at Risk of Loneliness and Isolation

Harrison, Daniel; Rowland, Scarlett; Wood, Gavin; Bakewell, Lyndsey; Petridis, Ioannis; Long, Kiel; Vasileiou, Konstantina; Barnett, Julie; Barreto, Manuela; Wilson, Michael; Lawson, Shaun; Vines, John

doi:10.1145/3534961

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 87 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The isolation can lead to several mental health and well-being-related issues for the students. Peer support is suggested to be a strong factor to avoid "academic isolation" during Informal learning space in higher education the research journey (Harrison et al, 2022;Ryan et al, 2022). In this regard, the research caf e provided peer support where students are encouraged for academic socialisation.…”

Section: Curtailing Academic Isolationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research café: an informal learning space to promote research learning experiences of graduate students in a private university of Pakistan

Ahmad,

Ansari,

Khawaja

et al. 2023

SGPE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose This paper aims to explore contribution of informal learning space - Research Cafe - to enrich research learning experiences of graduate students. Developing strong research skills among graduate students is a prime focus of higher education around the world. Thereby, universities are striving to maximise opportunities that can foster and enrich students’ learning experiences of research; however, the focus is mostly confined to formal opportunities such as research method courses and thesis writing. The provision of informal learning spaces has been recognised as a useful tool for fostering research learning experiences of graduates. This reflective paper is among a few focusing on a model of student-led informal learning space for enriching research experiences in higher education in the context of Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a reflective approach to generate a metalogue. The research experiences shared by the participants were further reflected by the authors after each research café session. The authors then shared their collective metacognitive reflections with each other, generating a metalogue, which was used as the data set. The metalogue was analysed thematically to generate themes. Findings Findings reveal that the research café is an informal space to promote academic socialisation by providing a conducive environment, peer support and informal supervision opportunities to foster the research learning experiences of graduate students. Importantly, the model presented in this paper provides a complimentary pathway for boosting learning experiences. Research limitations/implications This paper would be useful for graduate students, faculty and university manager to acknowledge the potential of informal learning spaces in promoting research learning experiences. This paper highlights opportunities for replication, and further empirical research are needed to establish the efficacy of research café. Originality/value This study contributes to the global debate about graduate research learning experiences through informal learning space, which is yet to be explored, particularly in developing contexts like Pakistan. The idea of the research café is original, as it was conceived keeping in consideration the contextual and cultural aspects. The methodology used in this paper was specifically derived which can be replicated by other researchers.

show abstract

Section: Curtailing Academic Isolationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research café: an informal learning space to promote research learning experiences of graduate students in a private university of Pakistan

Ahmad,

Ansari,

Khawaja

et al. 2023

SGPE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Her academic isolation from peers came to the fore in one of our discussion sessions where she expressed her concerns. Harrison et al (2023) note that loneliness in postgraduate studies can lead to mental health problems and peers can help to create social support and a safe sharing environment. The feedback given to Thandi was timeously acted on and she queried if she did not understand the details.…”

Section: Narrative 4 -A Southern African Studentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transforming Postgraduate Education in Africa

Samuel

2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Alternation research groups have made decisive and far-sighted knowledge production contributions in the interdisciplinary Arts and Humanities arena for more than twenty-five years. From 2020, it adds the Alternation African Scholarship Book Series (AASBS) to its research outputs system. Via its incisive thematically-focused inter-, multi-, and transdisciplinary, as well as digitally-informed, research approaches, the AASBS not only advances the frontiers of knowledge in Africa's institutions of Higher Learning in designated focus areas, but also critically generates scholarship of, by and with the people(s) of our continent. Historically the research draws on the rich traditions of interactive African intellectualisations, from its earliest civilisations, through struggles for liberation and freedom, to independence and growth. It opens up future epistemic opportunities through intellectual initiative and resourcefulness, while critically contributing to the international advancement of knowledge on all relevant levels. Contributing to research-led constructive, transformative and substantial discourse development in our programmes and disciplines, it also aims at impacting the wellbeing of our people foundationally and all-inclusively in the present. All forms of scientific and social challenge which Africa's societies and communities face, need to be problematised and researched in the Arts and Humanities, in the interest of cooperative and conscientious responsible knowledge generation and foundational conceptual and methodological research impacts. We serve the hopes and aspirations of the people of Africa.AASBS is committed to the highest levels of inclusive, factually correct and critical, sociallyresponsive and socially-accountable evidence-based research analyses and outputs. Each chapter is reviewed by at least two independent peer reviewers. Through its editing and peerreview system, each volume also builds research leadership, research expertise, and interactive research acumen, capacity and capabilities.

show abstract

“…Online dating has changed the process by which interpersonal relationships begin, develop, and end (Donn & Sherman, 2004;Sharabi & Caughlin, 2017;Whitty, 2010). Unlike any popular online platforms, online dating websites and applications frequently connect individuals who have no pre-existing relationship, which introduces a higher level of unfamiliarity (Harrison et al, 2023). The absence of physical context and non-verbal cues in online dating can intensify uncertainty and add complexity to the process of forming relationships (Klein, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Romance in the cloud: Interpersonal communication analysis on relationship stages of online dating

Rahmawati,

Unde,

Bahfiarti

2023

JISoP

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Finding love in the digital age can be seen easier than ever. With a simple app, an individual and millions of others can come together and meet from everywhere. The researchers aim to analyze the relationship development in online dating matches through multiple interpersonal communication perspectives. It includes how an individual chooses their potential partner, their initial involvement, self-disclosure, and whether they decide to continue a serious relationship. The research methodology used is qualitative method with in depth interview, using Devito’s Relationship Stages as the theoretical framework. The result shows that compared to traditional dating, online dating couples took extra security precautions in early contact. It is also found that the strength of social bonding, especially with close friends and family members, significantly influences the relationship. There are three main stages of relationships that are experienced in this research; (1) Contact, in line with the Uncertainty Reduction Theory and Communication Privacy Management, (2) Involvement that corresponds with the Social Exchange Theory, and (3) Intimacy, that aligns with Social Penetration Theory.

show abstract

Designing Technology-Mediated Peer Support for Postgraduate Research Students at Risk of Loneliness and Isolation

Cited by 6 publications

References 87 publications

Research café: an informal learning space to promote research learning experiences of graduate students in a private university of Pakistan

Research café: an informal learning space to promote research learning experiences of graduate students in a private university of Pakistan

Transforming Postgraduate Education in Africa

Romance in the cloud: Interpersonal communication analysis on relationship stages of online dating

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About