Accent is an important part of how people communicate and express identity. In higher education, accents can also shape how individuals are perceived, judged, or treated by others.
We have an ongoing group project which explores how accent perception influences university experiences for both students and staff at UK-based higher education institutions. The project focuses on academic, professional, and social contexts, including teaching, meetings, peer relationships, interactions with students and staff, and communication beyond the university.
Through a questionnaire, we are collecting responses from students and staff across different roles, schools, linguistic backgrounds, and demographic groups. The study examines how people perceive their own accent, how they believe others perceive it, and whether these experiences affect confidence, participation, relationships, career opportunities, and sense of inclusion.
We are now starting data collection and are also planning related workshops in late June, with the full programme to be confirmed.
By understanding these experiences, the project aims to inform more inclusive practices and support equality in higher education.
