Mundane Matters in Student Well-being

Mundane Matters in Student Well-being

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In Faculty Research Articles, Research Publications
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This article explores a Global Exchange programme between university students in Hong Kong and Australia, and how they conceptualise and embody wellbeing through mundane, everyday moments, using digital technologies during a six-week virtual exchange project. Inspired by feminist and new materialist perspectives, the study uses the “Day in the Life” (DITL) video methodology to capture students’ daily routines, such as commuting, meal preparation, interacting with nature, and engaging in creative or relaxing activities. These mundane moments, captured and shared through video, highlight the entanglement of personal, social, and digital agency in fostering student wellbeing. The research emphasizes the importance of attending to these everyday practices for student wellbeing, arguing that universities should integrate such mundane, yet meaningful, activities into their curriculum, pedagogy, and program design to better support students.

Key Findings and Implications:

  1. Mundanity as a Site of Wellbeing: Everyday practices, such as commuting, cooking, or interacting with nature, are central to students’ wellbeing. Sharing videos across cultures helped students reflect on their own routines and inspired new practices, such as cooking for relaxation or connecting with nature.

  2. Digital Technologies as Tools for Connection and Reflection: The DITL videos fostered cross-cultural connections, allowing students to share and compare their experiences, enhancing their sense of community. The process supported mindfulness, helping students reflect on their habits and appreciate the importance of slowing down and self-care.

  3. Implications for Universities: Institutions should design programs and policies that incorporate mundane, everyday activities to support student wellbeing. Examples include flexible timetables, nourishing food services, craft workshops, and opportunities for interaction with nature. Further research should explore how mundane, everyday practices can be leveraged to enhance the holistic wellbeing of students.

For more information, read:

Heinrichs, D. H., Hameed, S., Tsao, J., McLay, K., Nguyen, H., & Alhadad, S. (2023). Mundane matters: entangling moments of student wellbeing across cultures, time, space, and virtual worlds. Critical Studies in Education, 65(3), 235–255. https://doi.org/10.1080/17508487.2023.2252469