“Birds of a feather flock together,” says the proverb. When it comes to childhood friendships, the rule is true: it is with friends of the same age, same sex and sharing the same activities that children first get along. But how are these social codes put in place? How do children tell them and in what way […] … learn more→

Although it may seem strange, science has a lot to say about our friendships. For example, why we have a limited number of friends. Robin Dunbar , an Oxford anthropologist, proposed his famous number 150: the average number of friendships a person can maintain simultaneously. These friendships are organized in circles : about five best friends, about ten additional good friends, and […] … learn more→

Belonging is about feeling accepted, included and valued. If students feel like they belong at their university, research shows it plays a crucial role in their overall wellbeing, self-esteem, and motivation to study. As the Universities Accord interim report says, universities have an “obligation to students to foster belonging”. The draft report also notes “too few” Australians are completing […] … learn more→