A new study suggests a significant number of undergraduate students are uncomfortable sharing their views in class on certain topics - such as gender, politics, religion and sexual orientation.
Almost 800 students from Otago, Auckland and Victoria Universities participated in the study, about their comfort speaking in academic settings. Between 20 and 40 per cent said they would feel uncomfortable 'speaking up and giving their views' on gender, politics, religion, and sexual orientation.
And 65 per cent said they would feel uncomfortable discussing at least one of these topics.
Co-author, Dr Jamin Halberstadt, professor in the department of psychology at University of Otago, says the results are “alarming”.
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