June 6, 2024
Understanding how student peers influence learning outcomes is crucial for effective education management in complex social systems. The complexities of peer selection and evolving peer relationships, however, pose challenges for identifying peer effects using static observational data. Here we use both null-model and regression approaches to examine peer effects using longitudinal data from 5,272 undergraduates, where roommate assignments are plausibly random upon enrollment and roommate relationships persist until graduation. Specifically, we construct a roommate null model by randomly shuffling students among dorm rooms and introduce an assimilation metric to quantify similarities in roommate academic performance. We find significantly larger assimilation in actual data than in the roommate null model, suggesting roommate peer effects, whereby roommates have more similar performance than expected by chance alone. Moreover, assimilation exhibits an overall increasing trend over time, suggesting that peer effects become stronger the longer roommates live together. Our regression analysis further reveals the moderating role of peer heterogeneity. In particular, when roommates perform similarly, the positive relationship between a student?s future performance and their roommates? average prior performance is more pronounced, and their ordinal rank in the dorm room has an independent effect. Our findings contribute to understanding the role of college roommates in influencing student academic performance.
Congratulations to Prof. LOU W.Q. Vivian on being recognized among the Healthy Ageing 50 Leaders by the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021?2030). The Healthy Ageing 50 highlights people from every region and sector?government, civil society, academia, and business?whose work is measurably improving the lives, rights, and well-being of older people and advancing the Decade?s priorities: combating ageism, fostering age-friendly environments, and expanding access to integrated and long-term care. Honourees are profiled on the Decade platform to showcase approaches with proven impact and potential to scale, and to catalyse collaboration across countries and disciplines?reflecting Dr. LOU?s leadership in ageing and longevity.
Learn more: https://www.decadeofhealthyageing.org/topics-initiatives/other-initiatives/healthy-ageing-50#anchor_two
Prof. LAW Y.W. Frances was admitted as a Fellow of the Academy by the Hong Kong Academy of Social Work. The Fellowship is a senior professional honour that recognizes social work leaders with sustained, exemplary contributions to the profession and the community. Fellows are peer?acknowledged for their professional excellence and leadership, ethical standing, impact on practice and policy, scholarship and education, and dedicated service. As a Fellow, Prof. Law is part of a community expected to set standards for the field, champion continuing professional development, mentor the next generation, and help advance the Academy?s mission to strengthen social work quality and public trust in Hong Kong. This recognition affirms her leadership and broad impact across research, practice, and community engagement.
Learn more: https://academy.hkswa.org.hk/zh-HK/membership/information/fellow/