Speakers
Sophia Alves
Presentation
Research has shown that student success is largely impacted by a sense of belonging, and barriers to student retention and engagement in university are widely publicised. At the University of East London, the Residential Life team exemplifies practice-based strategies to challenge barriers and promote inclusive engagement. When applying to live on campus, students may join one of the three living learning communities to meet new people with common interests, gain transferrable skills, increase positive impact on their community and more.
This session highlights key practice within student accommodation to illustrate effective approaches for fostering belonging. Alignment with frameworks like the Mental Health Charter signals principled practice with assessments highlighting Residential Life’s collaborative and cohesive support.
This session shares practical examples of collaborative approaches and their impact. Initiatives such as waiving advance rent fees and providing holistic support for young independent students demonstrate how Residential Life can remove financial barriers, leading to increased satisfaction and reduced attrition.
By embedding inclusivity across social and administrative processes, the transferable model offers a framework for universities to tackle social and economic barriers, strengthen belonging, and advance equity and wellbeing.
Sophia Alves is a Residential Life Welfare Officer at the University of East London, where her role encompasses student welfare, pastoral support, restorative approaches to student concerns and more. She is the author of the developing paper underpinning this session, which synthesises the inclusive processes and initiatives embedded across UEL's Residential Life service.
Her work focuses on supporting first-year residents and strengthening frontline welfare practice. Alongside her day-to-day role, Sophia has contributed to refining key processes, including pre-arrival support, pastoral calls, and restorative approaches to student concerns.
Cienna is Head of Residential Life and Conduct at the University of East London following a 2017 restructure which realigned the halls of residence to Student Services from Estates and Facilities.
Over the past nine years, the Residential Life team have navigated the pandemic, overcame challenges, serious welfare and disciplinary incidences, created a Residential Life Welfare team and introduced Living Learning Communities while generating significant income for the University. Cienna’s role has grown, and she now has responsibility for Student Conduct and Projects & Communications including E6 compliance. With the support of her wonderful colleagues, this oversight has enabled the Residential Life team to embed their processes and practices with all teams within Student Services, benefitting both staff and students.