How can we maximise equity and diversity in student partnerships?

Lorna Sibbett and Dr Renu Bhandari, The Open University

Email: lorna.sibbett@open.ac.uk; renu.bhandari@open.ac.uk                   

Session recording

Presentation

Click to download the presentation How can we maximise equity and diversity in student partnerships? (.pptx)

Abstract

There is growing recognition of the value of ‘Students as Partners’ in shaping Higher Education. Student-staff collaboration enriches development of curriculum, learning activities, resources and services that are learner-relevant and accessible. Student partners are motivated and bring valuable perspectives, but have we unintentionally limited the pool of potential partners? How do we minimise barriers to engagement and empower diverse students to find their voice as our partners? 

In this workshop, we shall outline our approach to equity in student partnerships, using as an example the BUD (Belonging United Diverse) project. Then participants will be invited to share their ideas, experiences, reflections and successes, posting these to create a virtual wall of potential collaborators / consultants. Expect a few polls too. 

The BUD project at the Open University sought to make more inclusive the online learning environment in Access modules. Student participation in online discussion forums was noticeably limited to a small proportion of white students; and autistic students were absent despite forming a significant proportion of one of the modules. The BUD project appointed paid student interns who could provide lived experience and / or expertise on Black and autistic student inclusion. Student interns were full partners in scholarship and acted as ‘buddies’ within the online discussion forum, modelling inclusive language. The proposal and implementation phases of the project required collaboration across the University: academic units; Careers and Employability Service; negotiation with potential intra-institutional funding streams; and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) advisers. Completion of the project is due in June 2023; here we present interim reflections and outcomes.  

We invite participants to share their experiences in setting up an EDI students-as-partners (SAP) project: how did you reach / advertise to your potential student partners? Was it a challenge to reach the particular student identities you needed to be represented? How did you manage this challenge? How does your institution support SAP initiatives? We shall also invite participants to share their successes. For participants, who may be contemplating their first SAP project, you will have opportunities to share your ideas, concerns and challenges. Together we might maximise equity and diversity in student partnerships. 

Lorna Sibbett 

Staff Tutor, Centre for Access, Open and Cross-curricular Innovation (AoCCI), The Open University

Lorna joined the Open University, initially as an Associate Lecturer in STEM and then as Staff Tutor in the Centre for Access, Open and Cross-curricular Innovation (AoCCI). In the OU, she currently serves as: Student Support Team Academic Lead; Co-Chair of assessment design principles workstream for academic integrity; Academic Conduct Officer; and member of institutional management groups for Student Consultation and the Tuition Programme.

Her previous roles include those at the University of St Andrews where she was Co-Director of the Centre of Higher Education Research and Co-Director of External Relations in the School of Biology. She is interested in widening participation; student learning across transition; development of self-efficacy; and skills for learning and employability. Her earlier, HEA- funded, work with student partners designed a programme of undergraduate employability tutorials. She has been instrumental in design and collaborative delivery, with local authority school partners, of an undergraduate interdisciplinary teaching module.

Dr Renu Bhandari

Staff tutor, the Centre for Access, Open and Cross-curricular Innovation (AoCCI), associate lecturer and consultant, The Open University

Dr Renu Bhandari (Ph.D., FHEA, CPsychol) is a staff tutor in the Centre for Access, Open and Cross-curricular Innovation (AoCCI), associate lecturer, and consultant with the Open University for the last 19 years. Her primary role sits in the Centre for Access, Open and Cross-curricular Innovation (AoCCI). She teaches from Access to postgraduate level highlighting issues about child development, childhood studies, early years developing practice, play and creativity in children and psychology. In her role Renu has been a consistent user and developer of online teaching techniques and tools. Renu is a monitor and mentor to new staff and has been playing a key role in monitoring and managing staff.  Besides, the Open University, Renu has experience of teaching and leadership in University of Portsmouth and in University of Reading. Renu has served as a Senior Lecturer in FE institutions and has successfully managed HE provision.