Understanding and defining bioscience student engagement in the post- COVID-19 learning environment: a collaborative study

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly challenged the way students identify and interact with their learning environment on campus, which can be reflected in the student experience, overall levels of engagement and attainment. The COVID-19 aftermath has also merged with a cost-of-living crisis and an increased prevalence of mental health issues bringing new challenges to students and staff. This collaborative study, conducted across three South London higher education institutions (Kingston University, King‘s College London, St George‘s), involved the collection of survey data from 900 life science students and incorporated focus groups. This presentation will explore the multifaceted impact of travel and cost implications for on-campus attendance, the influence of timetabling, and reasons for non-attendance, encompassing factors such as the teaching environment, health concerns, and other commitments. Furthermore, an exploration of the interplay between various demographics will be presented, offering an evaluation of common challenges and unique features across institutions.