Find out more about Rebecca and how to get involved with the project being led by The Student Engagement Project.
Since being accepted into a national research project looking into the experiences of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students on campus, we’ve been beavering away getting everything ready to gather as many different viewpoints as possible.
Now, we need your help. Below you'll find two links - one for a survey, the other a sign up to be interviewed by one of our student researchers. The survey takes 12 minutes on average to complete, and the interviews will be last roughly 30-45 minutes.
Two weeks ago we introduced you to two of our researchers, Neelam and Shahmir, and now it's time to complete the team who are working on the project being led by The Student Engagement Partnership (TSEP).
If you need a little bit more persuasion to take a bit of time out of your day to talk about your experience on campus, let Rebecca, our third student researcher, explain just how important this research is.
Rebecca Goh
Degree: Drama and Philosophy
Year: Third
What was it about the role that made you apply for it?
As my choice of degree might attest, I have always been interested in exploring the variety of perspectives and opinions that are present and pertinent in different communities, especially those who have been neglected or go unnoticed by the majority.
Having lived in various cultures and places while growing up – and being considered as an international student and part of the BAME and LGBTQ+ spectrums – has been a major influence on my outlook on diversity, and the importance of minority representation in educational institutions, such as the creative arts and schools.
This role would enable me to interact with a wide spectrum of students who are keen to let their voices be heard and listened to in key decisions made by the College, and would allow many individual points of view to be able to contribute to the rich social fabric that is Royal Holloway.
Experiencing racial aggression and marginalisation on campus and everywhere else has made me extremely passionate about helping to inform research conducted about under-represented communities, and to contribute to efforts being made to improve the student experience for a diverse demographic. Through conducting interviews and meetings, I hope to engender the creation of a safe and objective environment where a plethora of experiences and suggestions can be heard.
The opportunity to help better the university environment – and make it as inclusive as possible – that this unique role offers makes it such a meaningful way to contribute to the community, and to be a part of the change that this initiative will hopefully inspire.
What excites you about the project?
Being an active part of the community here at Royal Holloway has made me extremely cognisant of the value of research that will inform fundamental decisions in the effective tackling of issues of diversity and equality, and I am extremely honoured to be involved in a project that advocates for precisely that.
I am keen to contribute via assisting the College’s efforts in ensuring that life at university is exciting, safe and inclusive for as many groups of students as possible. Personally, interviewing and interacting with fellow BAME students is an exciting prospect, as it will be an eye-opening experience that will allow me to learn more about the myriad of cultures and student experiences that Royal Holloway is home to.
Additionally, the Mental Health training that is offered with this role will help to inform my responses to emergencies in critical situations, and will enable me to ensure that any projects I undertake in the future that involves a similar discussion about controversial or volatile topics are as tactful and attentive as possible.
Why do you think this project is important?
This project is so so important as such efforts to improve and diversify feedback on college-wide matters are long overdue. It is a platform for the under-represented and minority groups to offer suggestions to issues they think should be evaluated amongst the upper echelons of management on campus, and proof that the struggles we face on campus and elsewhere are sadly all too real.
It is a chance for mutual support and understanding on both sides, and a chance for the College and the Students’ Union to have an additional ear to the ground. It is a pioneering project that I hope will encourage constructive discussion, and lead to important changes being enacted within the College.