EDI On Campus
An award-winning research project on improving EDI at Wilfrid Laurier University Brantford.
Timeline
3 Weeks
Role
UX Researcher
Deck Creator
Tools
Google Forms
Canva
Team
Ho Yin
Therese
Yufei
My team was tasked with identifying areas where Wilfrid Laurier could enhance EDI to support student morale and academic success. We then presented actionable recommendations, focusing on key improvements without extensive detail.
Assigned to explore areas where Wilfrid Laurier could strengthen EDI to improve student morale and academic success, my team presented targeted recommendations focused on key improvements.
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My team and I reviewed numerous articles, identifying recurring keywords and key phrases to inform our survey and interview questions. We then distributed dozens of surveys to both international and domestic students to explore potential differences in their experiences.
Our survey results showed that while most students reported positive experiences across several topics, the most contentious area was the social experience. The application process and involvement in clubs or work were also among the least favored. Many students expressed that online classes created barriers to forming friendships, with some feeling excluded.
Secondary research indicated that limited social interaction can negatively impact academic performance, highlighting the need for more initiatives that promote a healthy social life. Students, especially new and international ones who had not yet experienced campus life, were open to participating in new social initiatives.
After synthesizing our research, we developed a persona reflecting the most common pain points and needs.
Introducing initiatives like new wellness-focused committees, clubs, and/or improved newsletters could help reduce students' sense of isolation. These strategies could also address challenges faced by international students, such as delayed university responses and difficulties in accessing resources for transitioning to life in Canada. We believe these efforts would foster a more socially connected student body.
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We leveraged our secondary research by emphasizing financial benefits. Addressing the needs of international students can help the university avoid further losses in international tuition, as COVID-19 has significantly reduced enrollment. A substantial portion of Canadian universities' revenue depends on international tuition, with British Columbia being the most impacted, where 50% of total revenue comes from international students.
When it was time to present to the judges, I volunteered to lead, knowing the five-minute time limit required a clear and concise delivery. Since I had written the script, I felt confident presenting it to the class and judges. After all the presentations, our group was awarded the grand prize and the highest grade.
I'm very proud of the accomplishment made by my team and I. To be researching and presenting our findings on such an important topic in our first year, is an extremely positive way to begin a sucessful career in a very people-oriented field.