The lack of what…? First-in-family learners and their university experience

Sarah O'Shea, Josephine May, Cathy Stone, Janine Delahunty

    Research output: Book chapter/Published conference paperChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

    Abstract

    This chapter explores how the first-in-family (FiF) cohort is theorised and defined in various geographical and cultural contexts. Beginning with a critique around a lack of clarity of this cohort, the chapter moves to a review of related topics within the broad field of university participation and student engagement. O’Shea, May, Stone and Delahunty demonstrate the ways in which the FiF group is collectively framed as ‘lacking’. This deficit is articulated through reference to cultural, social, familial, academic and economic capitals. The chapter discusses how this focus on lack only serves to further disenfranchise these learners, arguably contributing to a pervasive sense of dislocation within the higher education environment. Chapter 3 continues this discussion by ‘disrupting’ this deficit framing through reference to narrative vignettes derived from the research projects.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationFirst-in-Family students, university experience and family life
    Subtitle of host publicationMotivations, transitions and participation
    Place of PublicationLondon
    PublisherPalgrave Macmillan
    Chapter2
    Pages33-53
    Number of pages21
    ISBN (Electronic)9781137582843
    ISBN (Print)9781137582836
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2017

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