Academic representative training Lead. Improve. Represent.

What we will cover: What are academic reps? 1. WHAT IS MY ROLE What are academic reps? What are your responsibilities? The structure of academic representation at Sheffield. 2. HOW DO I LEAD & CREATE CHANGE What and how can I change my department? Communication Skills What does it mean to be representative? 3. MEETINGS AND REPORTING CHANGES/IDEAS What even are Staff Student Committees? (SSC’s) How to prepare for meetings What issues might come up? What to do after a meeting

What is an academic rep?

You will… Find out what students think about their course/department/faculty. Ensure views of students are heard and their opinions shared with the University. Inform students of changes, ideas and decisions. Run and lead Student Staff Committee (SSC) meetings . Raise awareness amongst others of national education issues affecting students.

Academic Structure at the University:

hOW DOES THE ACADEMIC REP STRUCUTURE WORK? Education Officer (Student Union) Education Committee Faculty Reps Department Reps/Committee Chair Academic Society Rep Course Reps Academic Staff SSC Coordinators

su officers The Students Union is run for students by students. These 8 Student Union Officer are elected annually to direct it and ensure students are represented. You have a MASSIVE say on the direction that their work takes.

ACTIVITY! STOP! CHANGE CARRY ON! In small groups, chat about things in your department you want to STOP, CHANGEand CARRY ON. How could you work with other parts of the academic structure to see change?

leadership and communication: Why what you do is important how to lead & create change “It’s not what you do, it’s why you do it.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp0HIF3SfI4

Communicating with students COMMUNICATION SKILLS Communicating with students How we can make sure that student questions, feedback & ideas are heard by our department? Social Media E-mails Notice boards Office Hours Department E-mails Students’ Union website Other Reps!

communicating WITH STAFF – WHAT CAN YOU ACHIEVE? How might staff communication be different? Why is it essential to have strong staff contacts? E-mail SSC Meetings Drop-in session Through SU contacts Understand the key challenges. Understand how department works. Know who to contact, how and when. So that we know who to hold to account. To have a positive relationship for projects!

Representing your cohort Quick question, who here likes tea and who likes coffee? If a change in a department only benefits 50% of your student population, it’s important the other 50% have their voice and concerns heard. What other student groups should you be aware of?

What it means to be representative BME – Black & Minority Ethnic Students Disabled LGBT+ - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans* International Mature Women’s

Why is it important to remember liberation issues? BME STUDENTS: These students are less likely to achieve a 2.1 or 1st at the end of the degree compared to their white counterparts. This is a national problem for Home BME Students. 1.3% black woman professors, 5.8% black men professors. 60 overall in the UK. Women Students and Barriers to 1st for Men: Statistically, more women go to University and tend to achieve higher results. Yet only 20.1% of all heads of institutions are women and only 21.7% of Professors are women. Frist degree graduates, women – 55.6% men – 45.0% can departments be doing more to bridge both gaps?

Disabled Students: In the UK, the mean disability pay gap was 6.0% Research at Canterbury Christchurch University demonstrates the massive attainment gap for disabled students in written exams. There is virtually no attainment gap for the same group of students in practical work and coursework.

Why is this relevant to me? You’re in the position to make sure changes in your department are accessible to and done for the benefit of ALL students! You are a leader. This will ensure that all students are empowered to make the most of their HE experience.

sTAFF sTUDENT COMMITTEE MEETINGS (SSC’S) How they can feel…

How SSC’S SHOULD BE…

How to have successful meetings Remember: DEPARMENTS USE SSC’S AS THEIR PRIMARY WAY TO BE HELD TO ACCOUNT BY STUDENTS. They want to hear The Student Voice Think about the agenda. Issues usually come under: Learning and Teaching Assessment and Feedback Academic Support Organisation Resources Personal and Professional Development Any other Student Business Any other Staff Business What sorts of issues might come under each heading? (This will vary at Department/Faculty level)

Once you know the agenda think about next steps! Talk to those you represent – Use those communication techniques. Do your research – Ask to see dept. papers, use NSS etc… Ask questions – Ask the SSC co-ordinator? What does ‘x’ & ‘y’ mean? Talk to other reps – You are a team! Consult other years, past experience.

ssc mEETING Over: what now? Feedback to students: - Notice boards, social media, e-mail etc… - Specific responses to any student questions. Feedback to the SU: - Allow the SU to support you in follow up work. - Keeps the education officer up to speed and support throughout the year. - So we can keep track of trends and repeating issues. - For UG’s you will need to fill in a google feedback form to gain HEAR accreditation. KEEP A NOTE OF ANY ACTIONS FROM THE MEETING

HEAR ACCREDITATION (undergraduates) To Gain HEAR accreditation you must: Attend a Academic Rep Core Training Session. Attend 75% of your academic rep SSC meetings (or equivalent). Provide a Staff Student Summary Form at the end of the academic year: (This will be sent to you in April so that you can inform us of your successes and challenges in the academic year.)

Success! SSC’s may seem technical but you can have a massive impact: Negative marking will be removed from quizzes and exam papers will become available - Mechatronics & Robotics Engineering There has been an all-round improvement to basic information for first years. We have helped to improve what gets learned first and what would be most useful to know during induction week - Journalism Studies Our course is too small for books to be automatically classed as “in demand” by the library. Through the SSC we’ve negotiated the addition of many new course texts in the library - Orthoptics Level 2 students on our course now have more contact time with staff - Psychology DON’T BE QUIET ABOUT YOUR WINS LET STUDENTS/STAFF/SU KNOW!

Tell us about your success! The work you do have a massive impact at the University for both Students & Staff! Tell us what you’ve achieved by contacting: academicreps@sheffield.ac.uk We recognise student achievement through: Department of the Week Academic Awards (Summer 2017) Trips and visits to conferences across the UK!

Key contacts: what else should I know? Academic Contacts in the Students’ Union: Ali Day – SU Education Officer (ali.day@sheffield.ac.uk) Scott Dawson – SU Academic Life Coordinator (scott.dawson@sheffield.ac.uk) Alex Richardson – Education Committee President (educationcommittee@sheffield.ac.uk) Dom Trendall – SU President (dom.trendall@sheffield.ac.uk) Ana Popa – SU International Officer (ana.popa@sheffield.ac.uk) Serena Cavasin – Womens’ Officer (serena.cavasin@sheffield.ac.uk) The Advice Centre – Academic Advisors (advice@sheffield.ac.uk)

Events & Opportunities: NUS National Demo in London : 19/11/16 “What is the Future of Higher Education?” SU Auditorium 6pm-8pm: 28/11/16 Education Committee events and workshops: Throughout the year. Academic Conferences: Spring 2017 Sheffield University Academic Awards: Summer 2017 Opportunities: Further Training: (Leadership, Faculty Reps, Promoting Diversity) 30/11/16 & 01/12/16 University of Sheffield Inside Knowledge Fellowships – Deadline 09/11/16 Join the Education Committee: educationcommittee@sheffield.ac.uk And many many more…

ANY QUESTIONS??