Staff and student collaboration schemes scoop awards
Dr Andy Ward from Leicester Medical School, Gosia Mobbs from Education Services and student Eduardo Gibbons
The University of Leicester has scooped two prestigious awards for its work to influence educational change through staff and student partnerships.
The Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA-Jisc Student Partnership Impact Award (SPIA) winners were announced last month and recognise individuals or teams who go above and beyond to impact teaching, learning, or departmental policy.
Leicester’s Empathy Champion Scheme which recognises staff who regularly show compassion, dignity and respect and make a positive difference to students’ educational experience, along with the University’s Curriculum Consultants scheme, which aims to improve inclusion, belonging and student success, both won.
Gosia Mobbs, from the University’s Education Services said: “The external recognition these initiatives have received is something we should be extremely proud of. It highlights the strength of the student-staff partnerships that sit at the heart of many of our key educational projects and the tangible difference they are making to University life.
“Whether through the empathy scheme, demonstrating how small acts of care and consideration can make a real difference to others, or the Curriculum Consultants scheme, enabling students to play a leading role in shaping positive change in teaching and learning, these initiatives show what can be achieved when staff and students work together.
“This well-deserved recognition is a wonderful endorsement of that collaborative approach and of the positive impact our student-staff partnerships are having across the University.”
The Empathy Champion scheme had almost 100 nominations from across all staff departments, including lecturers, student support services and many more in its first round. Nearly 30 of these went onto win ‘Champion’ recognition status for going above and beyond in their everyday roles.
Among them was Dr Chris Allen, Associate Professor in Criminology and Public Engagement lead, who received an incredible 14 nominations.
Feedback from students included: “Every student is supported in his class; students feel confident in putting their hands up or speaking to him after class and he consistently creates an inviting and pleasant atmosphere in lectures.
Biological Sciences student Eduardo Gibbons helped to shape the Empathy Champion Scheme.
He said: “Seeing how a small focus group blossomed into something that has changed the worlds of so many people, is an amazing feeling.”
PhD Criminology student Jess Crosbie also contributed to the Scheme and said: “It’s been wonderful to be part of some meaningful change within the University and see the impact on morale such a scheme can have on an individual.”
Student and Education Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Heena Qamar, with student curriculum consultants
Student and Education Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Heena Qamar, said: “The Curriculum Consultant Initiative shows us what authentic staff and student collaboration looks like. Under the guidance and expertise of staff, the student consultants were able to research, consult with peers and suggest recommendations that have been 100% approved by staff partners for implementation.
"The recommendations were developed through engagement with students through surveys, focus groups and their own experiences resulting in actions which will work toward a more inclusive university - whether that’s improving teaching resources to ensure they’re reflective of the cohort, adopting inclusive classroom principles, creating discussion boards for student to student queries, providing drop-in sessions for assessment support. The changes help to ensure that students feel part of the University’s welcoming community, and feel heard and listened to.”
Student consultant Emilia Leeson who studied International Politics was involved in a project which explored the further development of peer tutoring within Biological Sciences:
She said: “This award shows that the student voice is most powerful as a partnership, not just feedback.
“Seeing our research as Curriculum Consultants lead to real change, with every recommendation from each project adopted and built on further, is a proud moment for us. It is a visible reminder of what can happen when students are trusted to lead.”