The University as a Community: Cross Campus Shared Reading Avril Gray Edinburgh Napier University

Outline: Recommendations for how institutions can engage with students university-wide. Inclusive approach, which underpins the need to find better methods to reach students on their own terms. How working with external (Third Sector) organisations can ignite a sense of belonging on an institutional level. The value of taking risks, relinquishing power, and keeping on message – even when that message is hard to hear. Processes and outcomes of the collaboration.

The Big Read: Year 2 Staff and students working together to encourage a sense of community and belonging that transcends disciplines and year groups. Timeline: Year 0 (2015–16) – pre-arrival reading scheme at Kingston University Year 1 (2016–17) – Edinburgh Napier partnership Year 2 (2017–18) – ENU new directions

The Big Read: Project Origins Pre-arrival shared reading common in US universities Kingston/Napier Partnership – variety of institutional similarities, discipline parallels, and professional connections Research stream 1: Widespread reporting of the benefits of reading for pleasure Research stream 2: Engagement strategies for improving student retention Research stream 3: How to improve student engagement – “Belonging”

The Big Read: Different Paths Still partners with Kingston Still using same branding But DIFFERENT Choice of book (!) Distribution Timing Focus on student participation Pre-launch campaign (360˚ marketing)

The Big Read: Book Student project – celebrating the work of all our students is the focus this year Edinburgh Short stories Crime writing popular (contact with writers, festivals, etc) Sherlock Holmes/Arthur Conon Doyle No live author, but we do have a famous author/protagonist.

The Big Read: Core Values Student focus ENSA involvement vital Student volunteers – 3 to 18 Research into the most relevant channels Online? On campus? Tap into their conversations Holistic approach

STAFF at ENU and KU learned about the Big Read in similar ways

The Big Read: Student Community WHERE ARE these communities? Online: Facebook: www.facebook.com/NapierBigRead Instagram: www.instagram.com/NapierBigRead Twitter: @NapierBigRead On campus (posters, etc) Societies (not all linked) What’s the Message? Free book – value?

The Big Read: Make the Connection

The Big Read: What We learned The value of a tangible product Boost the vision with a Keep It Simple statement Use ALL means of communicating across institution Ensure transparency of process Find project champions Encourage others to develop the idea – internally Include ALL staff – visible, valued Find brand partners – externally

Thank you Avril Gray – a.gray@napier.ac.uk