Unearthing Hidden Treasure Ian Marshall Kimberley Bird

So, what is great about Lincoln? The University of Lincoln is a top 50 UK university (Complete University Guide 2017) and rated in the top 10 nationally for student experience and teaching quality (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017) out of 128 universities. I hope that by the end of today you will understand a little more about why our students rate their time at university so highly: what we call the Lincoln experience. As parents or guardians, you will want to know that we offer excellent graduate prospects. 95 per cent of Lincoln’s most recent graduates are in work or further study six months after finishing their course and almost three quarters in graduate level roles. If you visit our website you can find specifically what the employment prospects are for each course. You can also find student satisfaction scores for each subject area on our website – these figures from the National Student Survey are used by the major university guides, such as in The Times and the Guardian. While overall we rate in the top 10 nationally for student satisfaction, for some courses we’re placed number one for those subject areas. We are known for our pioneering approach to working with employers – particularly our partnership with Siemens to develop our School of Engineering. This approach to industry collaboration has been recognised nationally with a Lord Stafford Award and a Times Higher Education Award. Our research is changing the world – more than half of it is rated as internationally excellent or world-leading [REF 2014] - and our students have opportunities to work alongside leading academics on innovative research projects. As you will see today, our award-winning campus is in the heart of the historic and beautiful city of Lincoln (with the Cathedral pictured above dominating the skyline) Today we want to share with you what is so great about the University of Lincoln and Lincoln the city. The best way to discover this is to experience it. We have an information-packed day. You will have a timetable of activities which will tell you where you need to be for your various talks and also the timings of tours – I would recommend the City Tour which is a coach guided tour taking you to the Cathedral quarter. You will have received this when you registered. You will have had coffee and a pastry so, if you haven’t registered, there is every incentive to go and do so. If you get lost or have a question then ask one of our student ambassadors. There are lots around in bright pink tops and they will be keen to help you. But first, I can give you an overall understanding of the University before you go off to explore further. A great place to study

This is our award-winning Art, Architecture & Design building which is the creative and technical hub for courses related to these creative disciplines. It has an array of well-equipped studios and workshops, as well as its own gallery space and café. Other facilities include our Sports Centre which houses badminton courts, squash courts, five-a-side football pitches, an all weather pitch, a dance studio and a fully equipped gym. It’s also home to our Human Performance Centre, which houses high-tech research facilities for sports science students and academic staff. Great campus and facilities

The University is continually updating its estate: we recently announced a further £130m+ of investment in new buildings. These include the Isaac Newton Building – a huge expansion of our Engineering Hub which will be home to the schools of Engineering, Maths and Physics and Computer Science, opening in this year (2017). There’s also our Sarah Swift Building – a new specialist centre for our Schools of Psychology and Health & Social Care, also due for completion by September. Great campus and facilities

Great accommodation

Great accommodation

A great student-centred city

A great day of celebration

Time to explore

High Student Satisfaction The University of Lincoln has some of the most satisfied students in the UK. Lincoln is a top ten UK university for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2016. In addition, Lincoln has been ranked number one in a range of NSS subject areas including Zoology, Transport and Travel, Design, Biochemistry, and Animal Science. The University is also a top ten institution for student experience, according to the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017. Excellent Employment Prospects 95% of our most recent graduates were in work or further study six months after graduating, and almost three quarters were in graduate level roles according to the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2014/15.

Involving the students 2 way Workplace Shadowing Membership on project boards and all stages of project lifecycle Membership of recruitment panels Employing the students £25K allocated for Associate Developers £25K allocated for ICT Front Desk support

Making the case: Easy ! Great for the Department Great for the University Great for the Students Not a huge investment (equal to a 1x FTE (~Grade 6 including on-costs) If you’d like a list of benefits then see later slide

Student Perspective I get paid! I get ‘real world’ work experience I get to work on interesting projects

Student Perspective 2 I get to contribute to the University I can significantly enhance my CV I get to speak to you all

Benefits Checklist 1 ‘Grow your own’ talent Full time staff are released to concentrate on other activities Both quick win and larger transformational projects that could not have be fulfilled within existing resources have actually happened The quality of the services and outputs from the students have been exemplary The insights provided by the student has allowed the services delivered to much more closely match the expectations of the student body. Pool of talent that allows flexible working to meet demand as it waxes and wains through out the year and meet ad-hoc requirements. Make use of their particular talents Enhanced student experience contributing to NSS results On front line services students are really good at relating to and supporting other students

Benefits Checklist 2 Improved reputation and increased profile of the ICT Department Improved employability prospects assisting the University in meeting its employability metrics Embedded positive and ongoing relationship with the student body (recently recognised by the department being awarded the SU award for excellence in student support) Excellent value for money, delivering quality products and services that the department simply could not have achieved within existing resources Inspired and motivated staff; not only have the students benefitted from the experience of full time ICT staff but staff have also been positively changed by the healthy exchange of ideas and experiences.

Considerations Remember their studies always come first Treat them as full time staff but… …. a few special considerations You don’t need to micro-manage them but always ensure that there is support for them Induct them as you would any new appointment Be aware of some naivety of the workplace Be aware of the effect the student staff have on existing staff Suggest over-recruiting Don’t constrain yourself by thinking you need to recruit IT ‘techies’

Parting thought: Give them their wings

Thank You & Questions?