Student engagement: challenge, risk & reward

Jon Turner & Connar Mawer

University of Edinburgh

EUSA and University Student Engagement Statement

• Shared statement, reviewed annually• Activities & processes to support & promote

student engagement:– Student representation on committees at all levels– Active participation in task and project groups– Involvement in Internal Review Process

• Support and encouragement of student-led initiatives

• Strong focus in University, College & School L&T Strategies

Examples of student engagement

Academic Families

Student/Staff Conferences

Peer Proof Reading

Peerwise

LawPALS, BioPALS

Biomedical Society

Informatics Data Hack

Honours projects (ug researchers)

Interns: sustainability

in the curriculum

Outreach modules

Learning Conversations

PATH

Examples of student engagement

Principal’s Teaching

Award Scheme

Innovative Learning Week

Edinburgh Award

Student Experience

Project

EUSA GlobalResearcher-led

scheme

EUSA Teaching Awards

Membership of committees,

reviews, working groups

Biomedical Society Case Study: Student Engagement – Challenges, Risks and Rewards

Founded in 2011

Challenges

Risks

Rewards

BSc. Biological Sciences

Biology Society

Medical School Representatives

School of Biological Sciences School of MedicineSchool of Biomedical Sciences

Challenges

Biological School Representatives

Academic Issues

Political Issues

Many IssuesBSc. Biological

Sciences

Biology Society

Medical School Representatives

School of Biological Sciences School of MedicineSchool of Biomedical Sciences

Biological School Representatives

Risks

BSc. Biomedical Sciences

Biomedical Society

Biomedical School Representatives

School of Biomedical Sciences

BSc. Biological Sciences

Biology Society

Medical School Representatives

School of Biological Sciences School of MedicineSchool of Biomedical Sciences

Biological School Representatives

Rewards

Impact AwardTeaching Award

“I am particularly pleased that Connar has been recognised for his work in founding and running the Biomedical society – highlighting the importance of peer support and the different ways that students learning can be supported” – A. Burnie VPAA

“The Biomedical society has worked to create a real community sense within the biomedical student body through academic support” -EUSA

“Academic support classes and exam time programme provides unrivalled support for students” -EUSA

Conclusion

Challenges

Risks

Rewards

Thank You for Your Attention

Peer Proofreading • Student volunteers provide feedback on extracts of

assignment• Key challenges: training & recruiting volunteers; IT

system to manage referrals• Key risks: collusion and unfairness • Rewards: for students submitting work, for volunteer

proof readers, for EUSA and the University

PATH• Web-based course-selection tool

for existing & prospective students• Key challenges – limitations of

DRPS, making it student centred (IIG grant and summer internship)

• Key risks – accuracy and robustness

• Rewards – for students, for staff and for the University: now being extended to other degree programmes

• Partnership between the University and the Students’ Association (EUSA)– Strategy and policy– Evaluation and communication– Locus for innovation and activity

• Ensure that local innovation can thrive and be built on– Attitude that allows and encourages local innovations– Structures and systems that support local innovation– Mechanisms and desire to build on and extend local

innovations

Enabling high quality & high impact engagement