Improved study spaces unveiled across campus

As exam season approaches, six new study spaces have been unveiled across our campuses, offering students inspiring environments tailored to their diverse needs.

Rooms at Whiteknights and London Road were redeveloped into functional study areas thanks to the Study Space Development project.

The work has successfully created a mix of practical study spaces across five different schools, as well as more informal environments for collaboration and rest, helping students to work in the way that works best for them.

The £250,000 project was overseen by the Sub-Committee for Enhancement of Learning and Teaching Infrastructure. Colleagues from across academic schools, the Centre for Quality Support and Development, Timetabling, the Disability Advisory Service, Digital Technology Services, Estates, the Library, the Director of Teaching and Learning Operations and Advice and Reading Students’ Union representatives have all contributed to the project.

Reimagined spaces

At the Institute of Education on London Road, spaces were transformed into flexible, multi-use areas with distinct zones catering to diverse needs. These include bookable group study rooms, private booths with monitors for practicing presentations, and technology-equipped collaborative areas. A relaxation space and a new faith room were also created as part of this inclusive design.

Elsewhere in the Institute of Education, an old staff room was converted into a joint staff-student space for socialising and eating lunch together, helping foster a shared sense of community.

The International Study and Language Institute's old library became a new Global Study Lounge, with surplus computer desks replaced by versatile pod seating and accessible power sources. More informal soft seating was added for casual work and breaks.

The School of Law's Foxhill House installed a dedicated computer lab with ten workstations, providing reliable internet access and combatting digital poverty among students. Adjoining this is a collaborative project space with updated multimedia capabilities and movable whiteboards, encouraging students to use Foxhill House more regularly.

The School of Agriculture transformed an existing room into a tech-enabled quiet study zone, allowing students to view online lectures without disruptions, or disrupting others.

The School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences identified a room to be refurbished into a collaboration space, to complement its existing library and quiet spaces for individual study.

In addition to these changes, the project team implemented "quick wins", such as replacing tables with seating in the Palmer Building and relocating old cafe furniture to the Miller Building foyer to increase available study spots.

Part of a community

Professor Katja Strohfeldt, Teaching and Learning Dean, said: “I am really delighted with the Study Space Refurbishment project and how much valuable space it has added for our students.

“Informal study spaces play a really important part in our student's learning experience and they can foster a greater sense of belonging. I am very grateful to all the hard work of my colleagues who organised and managed this project."

Professor Louise Hague and Professor Phil Dash, who were the sub-committee’s joint chairs during the project, said: "The spaces created by the schools as part of the project have received very positive feedback from students and staff.

“The study spaces are enhancing students' sense of being part of a community, and it has been a privilege to work with students and staff during the project."

The Student Essentials website has full details of where to find student spaces, and posters directing students to study spaces will be in place next term.

For more information about the project, contact Melissa Brunt, Secretary of SCELTI, at SCELTI@reading.ac.uk.