PhD defence L.I.S. (Lisenne) Giel

Below is a brief summary of the dissertation:

A Guest in Someone Else’s House examines why some students feel at home at university, while others feel like outsiders in a place that is meant to support their success. The thesis shows that student success is not only about talent or motivation, but also about how well students fit the university, and how well the university is designed to fit them. Across five studies, this research investigates how different types of (mis)fit between students and their university relate to key outcomes such as sense of belonging, fear of failure, and academic performance. It shows that students’ alignment with institutional values, their connection with peers, and the match between their abilities and academic demands each play a distinct role. The findings also show that students do not experience the same learning environment in the same way. The same context can support some students, while creating pressure or uncertainty for others. At the same time, the research shows that learning environments are not fixed. Even small, explicit changes can shift the focus from performing to learning, creating conditions that are more supportive for students. The central message is that universities are not neutral environments. They shape who feels at home, who feels out of place, and ultimately who succeeds. If universities aim to be inclusive, they must move beyond widening access and critically examine how its design advantage some students over others. Supporting student success requires designing learning environments in which a wider diversity of students can recognize themselves, engage meaningfully, and develop a genuine sense of belonging.