Get a new perspective with Student Inclusion Consultants

Are you looking to get direct student input and perspectives to help make your teaching practices, programmes or policies more equitable and inclusive?

Spaces are available to work with the University’s Student Inclusion Consultants on Wednesdays throughout summer term.

The Student Inclusion Consultants team offers feedback on projects from current students to help ensure materials are appropriate and engaging for underrepresented students.

The student consultants are recruited from all years of academic study, from undergraduate up to doctoral researchers.

They come from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, identities and lived experiences and are prepared to act as critical friends, sharing perspectives you may not have considered and potential areas for improvement.

Authentic student views

Dr Jessica Kirwin-Gusthart, Lecturer in Organic Chemistry, valued the advice she received when developing a new module that contains themes of equality, diversity and inclusion.

She said: “I sought the help of the inclusion consultants to help me get a student perspective on how it might be best to structure and deliver the sort of content I was hoping to cover.

“My experience was extremely positive; not only was it great fun meeting a diverse range of students that I otherwise may never have met, but hearing different perspectives provided inspiration and new ideas for the structure and direction of my new module. I highly recommend speaking to them!”

Phoebe Homer, Student Engagement Manager, sought their advice to make sure the language and imagery on the University’s student wellbeing webpages was engaging and appropriate.

She said: “One thing I really value about working with the Inclusion Consultants is that it is an opportunity to get authentic student views on a project you are working on. They are trained in delivering feedback in an honest and constructive way.

“The students were really forthcoming with new ideas, and helped challenge us to think differently.”

How to take part

Focus group-style sessions take place 14:00 – 16:00 every Wednesday in term time, with a group of Inclusion Consultants recruited at the start of each academic year.

There are currently slots available on Wednesday 17 April, and every Wednesday from 15 May until the end of term.

You’ll be supported throughout by the Student Outcomes team, who will facilitate the session and tailor it to gather useful feedback for your project. Project owners are encouraged to join the session and hear what the student inclusions consultants have to say directly.

The work is funded, meaning that for a standard session, there is no direct cost to the School or Directorate.

For more information, visit the student collaboration webpage or email Mathew Haine, Student Outcomes Manager.