RCL Research and Scholarship Digest Issue 13 showcases innovation in higher education

We couldn’t be more excited to present the latest issue of Regent College London (RCL)’s Research and Scholarship Digest. 

Issue 13 brings together a compelling selection of papers authored by RCL academics – demonstrating the breadth of the scholarly work taking place within our community. 

We hope it serves as both a resource and an inspiration for colleagues engaged in teaching, research and professional practice, across RCL and beyond! 

One collection, three powerful themes

The papers in this issue of Research and Scholarship Digest are grouped under three themes, each of which engages with questions and pressures shaping higher education today.  

1. Teaching, Learning and Assessment  

This theme explores how pedagogy and assessment practice are evolving in response to new technologies such as generative AI while maintaining focus on core areas such as student engagement and critical thinking.  

2. Inclusion and Wellbeing 

This theme considers the human aspects of higher education, with papers addressing disability support, mental health, language and identity, and inclusive learning environments.  

3. Inquiry and Innovation  

This theme covers work around research approaches and methodology, from quantum machine learning to diary-based methods for understanding everyday behaviours to a more inclusive, representative and future-ready higher education sector. 

Highlights from this issue include… 

AI and adaptive assessments: Driving engagement and achievements in higher education    

Thuraya El Kozeh (Programme Leader, Regent European University) argues that postgraduate students need assessments that not only measure performance, but also guide learning, adapt to individual needs and foster confidence while preparing learners to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world contexts. 

“For postgraduate learners, adaptivity makes assessments not just evaluative but truly developmental… adaptivity accommodates diverse starting points and levels of prior knowledge, allowing students to progress at appropriate levels of challenge regardless of background.” 

Exploring childhood vaccination decision-making among Black and South Asian parents in the UK 

Dr Gayani Gamage (Senior Lecturer, School of Health and Sports Science), Dr Glory Aigbedion (Lecturer, Health and Social Care) and Madeline Owusu (RCL master’s graduate) examine the potential reasons behind declining childhood vaccination rates in recent years, with significant disparities observed across ethnic groups, socioeconomic status and geographic regions. 

“Vaccine hesitancy cannot be understood solely as a knowledge deficit but as a negotiated process shaped by emotion, experience and parental duty of care towards children. Strengthening communication between healthcare professionals and communities […] remains key to improving confidence and uptake.”     

Belonging beyond words: Engagement and identity in second language learning 

Dr Maryam Pakzadian (Lecturer, School of Business) and Dr Elizabeth Kaplunov (Senior Lecturer, School of Health and Sports Science) explore how engagement and belonging influence second language learning among international and widening participation students in UK higher education. Drawing on psychological and sociocultural theories, they investigate how motivation, identity and classroom dynamics intersect to support or inhibit learning in multilingual environments. 

“Ultimately, belonging is not just about feeling welcome; it is about having a voice. Language learning gives students the means to express that voice across cultures. The role of educators is to ensure that every learner has the confidence and community to use their voice.”   

Beyond the shopping list: Applying diary methods to explore sustainable food practices    

Ruheena Thasin (Lecturer, School of Business) outlines the methodological value of diary studies, drawing on well-established literature and early insights from her own ongoing research. Her paper explains why diaries are especially suitable for examining sustainable food practices, how the design of diaries affects data quality, and what researchers should consider when working with data generated by participants over time. 

“Understanding sustainable consumption requires observing what people do, rather than just what they intend or believe. Diaries are particularly valuable because they reveal how sustainability is practised in everyday routines […] These insights demonstrate sustainability as a lived, negotiated practice rather than a fixed attitude.”  

Explore our compelling collection of papers 

Regardless of theme, these papers share a common aim: to understand and enhance the student experience. Therefore, we invite you to read, engage and get curious – whatever your role or starting point. 

Read the latest issue of RCL’s Research and Scholarship Digest!