A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Business Administration School of Management

Abstract

This study examines the inclusivity efforts for students with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (SOGIE) in a South African higher education institution (HEI). Although South African higher education institutions (HEIs) are guided by progressive constitutional and policy frameworks (Republic of South Africa, 1996; DHET, 2017), students with diverse SOGIE continue to experience exclusion, marginalisation, and conditional belonging within academic and social spaces (Bhana, 2014; Matebeni et al., 2019). This study investigates how one South African HEI seeks to widen inclusivity for students with diverse SOGIE, examining the alignment between institutional policies, staff practices, and student experiences. Using a qualitative, interpretive approach and guided by concepts of inclusion, safety, and intersectionality, the research combines policy analysis, staff interviews, and student participatory activities (Crenshaw, 1989; Wang & Burris, 1997; Collins & Bilge, 2020).
Findings reveal a policy–practice gap, highlighting that while institutional policies promote diversity, their implementation is inconsistent and often symbolic (Bourdieu, 1991; Zembylas, 2021). Major barriers to authentic inclusion include heteronormative cultures and limited structural accountability. However, student agency and activism offer counter-narratives (Ngabaza et al., 2018). The study introduces the concept of "intersectional safety," linking well-being to institutional culture, and contributes to the understanding of inclusion in the Global South. It also proposes a model for institutional transformation focused on participatory governance and curriculum reform to foster genuine diversity in South African higher education.

Date of Award	25 Mar 2026
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bath
Sponsors	Department of Higher Education and Training
Supervisor	Fran Amery (Supervisor), Dan Davies (Supervisor) & Anthony Brown (Supervisor)