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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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”

5. 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)

6. 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.

7. 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

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

9. The Big Read: Student Community
WHERE ARE these communities?
Online:
Facebook:
Instagram:
On campus (posters, etc)
Societies (not all linked)
What’s the Message? Free book – value?

10. The Big Read: Make the Connection

11. 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

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