Belonging as a Core Construct at the Heart of the Inclusion Debate, Discourse, and Practice

This chapter intends to present a new and novel perspective on inclusion and argue that inclusion can never be truly achieved without the presence of belonging. Both belonging and inclusion are linked to positive academic outcomes and general well-being of students. Belonging is described as a subjective and dynamic feeling while the definition of inclusion varies among different discourses. The aim of this chapter is to discuss the role of belonging to inclusion particularly among marginalised populations and groups. It highlights the usefulness of assessing an individual’s belonging as a true measure for inclusion and its importance as a social and ethical obligation. This chapter further explains that belonging is a vital component to inclusion, equity, and diversity. The chapter concludes with a conceptual model that has implications for future discourse and research.