Expanding horizons: the role of ethics of care in a widening participation programme for first-generation students.
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| Title: | Expanding horizons: the role of ethics of care in a widening participation programme for first-generation students. |
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| Authors: | Ambrose, Anna1 anna.ambrose@sh.se |
| Source: | Widening Participation & Lifelong Learning. Dec2025, Vol. 27 Issue 3, p88-117. 30p. |
| Subject Terms: | *First-generation college students, *Community involvement, *Motivation (Psychology), Care ethics (Philosophy), Cultural competence, Participation, Self-efficacy, Social reproduction |
| People: | Bourdieu, Pierre, 1930-2002 |
| Abstract: | This article explores a widening participation programme for adolescents, aged 12-16, living in territorially stigmatised communities. The study focuses on a programme component in which university student ambassadors offer homework support. Drawing on Noddings' ethics of care, Biesta's concept of subjectification, and Bourdieu's theory of social reproduction, the study examines how such programmes can foster motivation, self-efficacy, and well-being beyond simply increasing interest in higher education, while identifying challenges in sustaining motivation for continued studies. Based on field observations, interviews and focus groups, the analysis highlights that caring relationships, role models and locally anchored practices can play a central role in creating supportive spaces where students feel seen, safe and encouraged to engage academically. The findings also indicate that for encounters to develop into meaningful connections, both time and sustained engagement are essential. Student ambassadors play a crucial role in fostering trust-based interactions and opportunities for identification, which can strengthen aspirations and empower students. However, the study identifies two critical limitations: voluntary participation primarily engages already motivated students, while structural inequalities significantly constrain the programme's transformative capacity. In conclusion, widening programmes can expand students' horizons and support holistic development but their impact depends on the interplay of relational qualities, local anchoring and broader structural conditions, and the time needed for such relations to grow. The article concludes with recommendations for enhancing future programmes through culturally responsive practices, stronger community partnerships, and strategies to engage less motivated students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Widening Participation & Lifelong Learning is the property of Open University, Centre for Widening Participation and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Education Research Complete |
| FullText | Links: – Type: pdflink Text: Availability: 0 |
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| Header | DbId: ehh DbLabel: Education Research Complete An: 190924120 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Expanding horizons: the role of ethics of care in a widening participation programme for first-generation students. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ambrose%2C+Anna%22">Ambrose, Anna</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> anna.ambrose@sh.se</i> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Widening+Participation+%26+Lifelong+Learning%22">Widening Participation & Lifelong Learning</searchLink>. Dec2025, Vol. 27 Issue 3, p88-117. 30p. – Name: Subject Label: Subject Terms Group: Su Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22First-generation+college+students%22">First-generation college students</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Community+involvement%22">Community involvement</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Motivation+%28Psychology%29%22">Motivation (Psychology)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Care+ethics+%28Philosophy%29%22">Care ethics (Philosophy)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+competence%22">Cultural competence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Participation%22">Participation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self-efficacy%22">Self-efficacy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+reproduction%22">Social reproduction</searchLink> – Name: SubjectPerson Label: People Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="PE" term="%22Bourdieu%2C+Pierre%2C+1930-2002%22">Bourdieu, Pierre, 1930-2002</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: This article explores a widening participation programme for adolescents, aged 12-16, living in territorially stigmatised communities. The study focuses on a programme component in which university student ambassadors offer homework support. Drawing on Noddings' ethics of care, Biesta's concept of subjectification, and Bourdieu's theory of social reproduction, the study examines how such programmes can foster motivation, self-efficacy, and well-being beyond simply increasing interest in higher education, while identifying challenges in sustaining motivation for continued studies. Based on field observations, interviews and focus groups, the analysis highlights that caring relationships, role models and locally anchored practices can play a central role in creating supportive spaces where students feel seen, safe and encouraged to engage academically. The findings also indicate that for encounters to develop into meaningful connections, both time and sustained engagement are essential. Student ambassadors play a crucial role in fostering trust-based interactions and opportunities for identification, which can strengthen aspirations and empower students. However, the study identifies two critical limitations: voluntary participation primarily engages already motivated students, while structural inequalities significantly constrain the programme's transformative capacity. In conclusion, widening programmes can expand students' horizons and support holistic development but their impact depends on the interplay of relational qualities, local anchoring and broader structural conditions, and the time needed for such relations to grow. The article concludes with recommendations for enhancing future programmes through culturally responsive practices, stronger community partnerships, and strategies to engage less motivated students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Widening Participation & Lifelong Learning is the property of Open University, Centre for Widening Participation and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=ehh&AN=190924120 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.5456/WPLL.27.3.88 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 30 StartPage: 88 Subjects: – SubjectFull: First-generation college students Type: general – SubjectFull: Community involvement Type: general – SubjectFull: Motivation (Psychology) Type: general – SubjectFull: Care ethics (Philosophy) Type: general – SubjectFull: Cultural competence Type: general – SubjectFull: Participation Type: general – SubjectFull: Self-efficacy Type: general – SubjectFull: Social reproduction Type: general – SubjectFull: Bourdieu, Pierre, 1930-2002 Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Expanding horizons: the role of ethics of care in a widening participation programme for first-generation students. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Ambrose, Anna IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 12 Text: Dec2025 Type: published Y: 2025 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 14666529 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 27 – Type: issue Value: 3 Titles: – TitleFull: Widening Participation & Lifelong Learning Type: main |
| ResultId | 1 |
