abertay.ac.uk The Student Voice: a vital and powerful catalyst for change Dr Alastair Robertson Director of Teaching and Learning Enhancement Abertay University SRHE Seminar, 23 rd January 2015

abertay.ac.uk Introduction Background: changes in HE Outline of personal experience in the field of student engagement- national and institutional Focus on one case study:  Student Attitudes towards and skills in SD

abertay.ac.uk Background Changes in HE, particularly post Browne (2010)

abertay.ac.uk Student Engagement Dewey (19 th Century); experiential learning Students as Producers (Neary et al) Students as Co-Creators (Bovill et al) Students as Partners (HEA) Students as Consumers (Which?) Students engaged in their own learning Student engagement in institutional and national policy development

abertay.ac.uk Personal involvement in “Student Engagement” As a student! HEA ( ): subject networks with Student engagement taxonomy Student Led Teaching Awards (SLTA) with NUS Student Led Teaching Awards (SLTA) Student attitudes towards and skills in Sustainable Development with NUS Student attitudes towards and skills in Sustainable Development

abertay.ac.uk Personal involvement in “Student Engagement” Abertay University (since April 2013) Student Partnership Agreement HEAR Student Surveys ATLEF

abertay.ac.uk Student Attitudes Towards and Skills for SD NUS-HEA- Change Agents collaboration since 2010 Longitudinal study (4 sweeps, 5 th this year) Economic downturn since 2008 “The Green Economy” Significant changes to student funding Evidence- based policy development Track changes throughout students’ time at university

abertay.ac.uk Methodology online questionnaire, 15,712 responses in total , desk-based plus empirical research , 3845 first year and 1747 second year respondents, 21,300 in total.

abertay.ac.uk Survey core themes Student attitudes to SD Student definitions of SD Student aspirations towards SD and expectations from HEIs Student attitudes towards future SD policies Student awareness of the Green Economy and skill requirements

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“SD is something which universities should actively incorporate and promote”- national differences

abertay.ac.uk “SD is something I would like to learn more about”- national differences

abertay.ac.uk Students’ definitions of “Sustainable Development” Brundtland Commission “Our Common Future” (1987).

abertay.ac.uk Students’ Future Aspirations; earning potential and environmental/ social consciousness

abertay.ac.uk Students’ Future Aspirations; earning potential and environmental/ social consciousness

abertay.ac.uk Impact of the research Government: 2013 guidance to HEFCE from BIS We thank the Council for its activity which has contributed to the HE sector’s good progress in sustainable development. … We look forward to the development of a new sustainable development framework that should seek to build on the achievements of universities and colleges and the enthusiasm of students. (para 28) HEFCE SD Framework….. HEFCE- NUS Students’ Green Fund, £5M ( ), 25 projects, 26 student unions

abertay.ac.uk Impact of the research Other national agencies e.g. QAA, HEA Supporting institutions: Student Green Fund, Green Academy etc. Partnership working

abertay.ac.uk Abertay Attributes Series of descriptors for each dimension. Influence curriculum design…. Aid student career planning and reflection, HEAR… Parallels with Geddes’ Scottish generalism, early C20th and CfE capabilities

abertay.ac.uk Abertay will foster individuals to: Deploy their skills and learning to make a real contribution to society locally, nationally and internationally; Be active citizens who are inclusive, globally conscientious, socially respectful, and self-reflective; Maintain and continuously develop awareness of their civic, ethical and environmental responsibilities. Active Citizen Attributes

abertay.ac.uk Reflections on success Evidence-based policy making and lobbying: filled a gap. 4 years, longitudinal study: enhanced evidence base, allowed messages to be conveyed annually Supports NUS’ agenda; focussed political campaigning and lobbying Good relations critical to partnership working.

abertay.ac.uk And finally… Student led teaching awards Another HEA-NUS success story Pilot 8 Scottish HEIs in then went viral! Another example of bottom-up through to strategic level engagement Wealth of new data on student perceptions around T&L