So what’s wrong with the internet?

The overall experience of accommodation is worse for students who do not identify as cisgender and those perceptions and experiences run deep. It is clearly not that the internet is of a lower standard, it is that the experiential aspects of the journey do not fit. Our data shows this community does not feel included or supported. This lack of a sense of belonging, a sense of community and place, crossed with lower levels of representation and awareness, impact negatively on the whole experience.

The delta in the data is stark. Three areas in particular stood out beyond the rest.  Perception of safety, feeling part of a community and the ability to make friends, when compared to cisgendered responses have significant experiential gaps. This research indicates the need to develop the appropriate support mechanisms for this group are a key challenge facing the sector.