ORCID
- Holton, Mark: 0000-0003-0267-3164
Abstract
Recent investigations into ‘student geographies’ have recognised the complex ways in which students from different backgrounds go about ‘fitting in’ among their peers within universitymanaged accommodation. Halls have been characterised in the literature as highly pressurised spaces in which multiple (and potentially conflicting) identities can perpetuate disadvantage through incongruous accessibility to student-centric social activities and behaviours. This paper joins these debates by critically examining universities’ ‘Student Accommodation’ web pages alongside qualitative interviews in order to question notions of halls being inclusive and encouraging a cultural mix. Using Bourdieu’s reading of social capital this paper suggests that, while these spaces may perpetuate disadvantaged access to social capital, some students may transcend this, drawing on other forms of non-student social capital which legitimises their position among their peers in halls. This adds to previous discussions of ‘difference’ by highlighting the power of social capital in transforming individuals’ positions within social groupings.
DOI
10.1080/14733285.2014.979134
Publication Date
2016-01-01
Publication Title
Children's Geographies
Volume
1
Issue
14
First Page
63
Last Page
76
ISSN
1473-3285
Embargo Period
2017-07-01
Organisational Unit
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Recommended Citation
Holton, M. (2016) 'The geographies of UK university halls of residence: examining students' embodiment of social capital', Children's Geographies, 1(14), pp. 63-76. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2014.979134
