Book Title: Fostering a Sense of Belonging in Science: Effectively Supporting Underrepresented Cohorts
Subtitle: Effectively Supporting Underrepresented Cohorts
Book Description: Using the concept of science capital, this monograph explores how students’ economic, cultural and social resources shape participation, achievement and belonging in science. It focuses on groups historically underrepresented in science education, including Indigenous Australian students, students from low SES backgrounds, female students and women in non-traditional areas, and students in regional, rural and remote contexts. The resource synthesises research, identifies systemic barriers, and offers practical strategies, reflective questions and case studies for professional learning.
Contents
Book Information
Book Description
This resource is a practitioner focused monograph for teachers and school leaders who want to make school science more equitable and inclusive. Drawing on the concept of science capital, it examines how students’ economic, cultural and social resources shape their opportunities to participate in, achieve in and feel a sense of belonging in science. The resource focuses on four groups who have been historically underrepresented in science education: Indigenous Australian students, students from low SES backgrounds, female students and women in non-traditional areas, and students in regional, rural and remote contexts. Across these sections, it synthesises current research, highlights systemic barriers, and presents practical strategies, reflective questions and case studies that can be used for individual or team based professional learning. The monograph also considers the critical role of school leadership, data use and community partnerships in building more just science education systems where all students can see themselves as “science people” and pursue science related pathways.
Licence
Fostering a Sense of Belonging in Science: Effectively Supporting Underrepresented Cohorts Copyright © 2026 by Grant Cooper is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.
Subject
Education / Educational sciences / Pedagogy
Metadata
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Fostering a Sense of Belonging in Science: Effectively Supporting Underrepresented Cohorts Copyright © 2026 by Grant Cooper is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.
This book was published by Curtin University via the Council of Australasian University Librarians Open Educational Resources Collective. The online version is available at https://oercollective.caul.edu.au/every-student-counts/
Disclaimer
Note that corporate logos and branding are specifically excluded from the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial Licence of this work, and may not be reproduced under any circumstances without the express written permission of the copyright holders.
Copyright
Fostering a Sense of Belonging in Science: Effectively Supporting Underrepresented Cohorts by Grant Cooper is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial 4.0 Licence by Curtin University.
Additionally, permission has been sought for the following content, which is specifically excluded from the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 Licence of this work, and may not be reproduced under any circumstances without the express written permission of the copyright holders –
Cooper, G. (2026). Fostering a Sense of Belonging in Science: Effectively Supporting Underrepresented Cohorts. Curtin University
Recommended citation: Cooper, G. (2026). Fostering a Sense of Belonging in Science: Effectively Supporting Underrepresented Cohorts. Curtin University. https://oercollective.caul.edu.au/every-student-counts/
Fostering a Sense of Belonging in Science: Effectively Supporting Underrepresented Cohorts by Grant Cooper is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial 4.0 Licence by Curtin University.
Cover (illustration) by Grant Cooper is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.