Living and Studying at Home: Commuter Students in the Aftermath of the Pandemic

School:  Moray House School of Education and Sport

Team Members: Sheila Riddell, Hazel Christie, Laura Cattell, Rachael King, Sofia Shan, Lyn Tett

Abstract

The aim of this project is to understand the experiences and outcomes of commuter students at the University of Edinburgh as the pandemic recedes. In this project, we will analyse administrative data and conduct an on-line survey in order to investigate the number of commuter students at the University, as well as their social characteristics and academic trajectories.  We will also use in-depth interviews to understand commuter students’ experiences of academic and social support, interactions with their peers and their views of the positive and negative aspects of commuting from home to university. In terms of impact, we hope the research will provide insight into the practical and cultural changes which the University might make in order to improve the experiences and outcomes of this group.  It speaks to the University’s Strategy for 2030 by focusing on how best to create a positive and supportive learning and teaching environment for our students as well as by thinking about the contribution that commuter students make to both the University and their local communities.