Macquarie University

Elevating the learning experiences and fostering a sense of belonging of Macquarie students through an innovative mobile app

Services

Product Design

Platform

Mobile App

My Role

Product Designer

Duration

11/2022 - 04/2023

Challenge

The SJET (Student Journey Experience Taskforce) program, launched by Macquarie University in 2017, aims to improve the overall student experience. Foundational research revealed that many students feel a lack of belonging, especially after the introduction of online and hybrid learning during the pandemic. Students struggle with navigating the new way of learning and long for meaningful connections with peers and academic staff to foster a stronger sense of community.

Discovery

Before conducting further user research, initial product concepts were developed based on insights from foundational research. To validate these insights and explore additional opportunities, we conducted quantitative surveys targeting both Macquarie students and students from other Australian universities. The surveys focused on defining "belonging," experiences with academic and hobby projects, campus life, social programs, and gauging interest in a mobile app designed to enhance their sense of belonging.

Development

Survey results from Macquarie and other university students revealed key insights:

A sense of community, feeling welcomed, safe self-expression, and building friendships are vital to feeling a sense of belonging.
Students want more opportunities to connect with peers who share similar academic interests.
University communication should be centralized, providing a single source of reliable information.
For social events, students prefer receiving relevant notifications rather than searching for information.
There is a strong need for collaboration on passion projects outside the classroom to foster friendships and build a sense of community.

↑ BELONGING DEFINATIONS

↑ ACADEMIC PROJECTS VS. HOBBY PROJECTS

Product concept

Based on user insights, we identified an opportunity for a mobile app that fosters a sense of belonging and community through personalised university communications and socialization with peers who share similar studies and interests, promoting friendships through meaningful interactions.

↑ USER FLOW

↑ HIFI PROTOTYPES

Key features

Personalisation
A survey at app onboarding collects student information (e.g., degree, interests, special needs) to deliver tailored communications.
Personalised landing page
Students can easily access content relevant to their interests and needs.
Supporting online students
This feature connects online learners with nearby Macquarie students for study or hobby activities.
Passion project collaboration
Students can collaborate on projects (e.g., hackathons, films, music jams) for meaningful peer interactions.
Campus connections
Students can explore Macquarie’s facilities and easily organize on-campus events like study groups, sports games, or social meetups.

↑HIFI PROTOTYPES

Outcome

This mobile app solution directly addresses the lack of belonging and community that many students experienced during and after the pandemic. By creating personalized and meaningful interactions, the app helps students feel more connected to their peers, academic staff, and the broader university community. Ultimately, the project succeeded in improving the overall student experience, reinforcing Macquarie University’s commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment.