Female Students’ Reflections for Inclusive Physical Learning Environments

The aim of the study is to explore the perspectives and preferences of women studying media technology/IT, concerning physical learning environments and their feeling of belonging and social inclusion. Through an action research study, a student network for women received funding to redesign and furnish an existing computer lab at a university. Their choices for what to invest in for the funding, as well as their reasoning for those, were coded and analyzed based on participant observations, formal and informal conversations, group interviews, field notes and written reflections. Since the study applies a practical action research approach and is, as such, an ongoing work in progress, the findings are far from conclusive. The women did, however, emphasize a variety of things in their redesign planning, ranging from board games for socializing reasons, to improvements in indoor climate. Three main categories emerged, ergonomics/physical comfort, entertainment, and atmosphere.