Maximizing Equity and Diversity in Student Partnerships at Open University
Discover strategies to enhance equity and diversity in student partnerships at Open University, focusing on inclusion in online discussion forums for ethnic minority and autistic students. Explore research questions, methods, and outcomes aimed at creating a more inclusive learning environment through student-staff collaboration.
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How can we maximise equity and diversity in student partnerships? Lorna Sibbett and Renu Bhandari Open University 1
Session Plan Outline BUD internship project Activity 1: strategies for setting up partnership projects Activity 2: previous successes and ideas Plenary 2
BUD: Belonging, United, Diverse Problem to be addressed: Online discussion forums (ODFs) commonly used to create a sense of belonging; but there is low engagement. For students from ethnic minority groups, the names and icons of posters may engender feelings of otherness. For students who are autistic, seeing their name on a post is felt as too exposing. Although intended as a positive intervention, ODFs may alienate students who do not see people like themselves in that space. 3
BUD: research questions 1. How can our learning environments, specifically ODFs, be made more inclusive with respect to autistic students and Black students? 2. Does the involvement of WP student buddies increase student engagement via ODFs? 3. Is there evidence that student buddies (SBs) might increase student retention within L0 and increased progression from L0 to L1? 4. Do SBs increase their personal sense of belonging? Do SBs consider their employability to increase via such roles? 5. How can student-staff collaboration shape wider student engagement? 4
BUD: methods Appoint 2 student interns who have lived experience as Black or autistic : Project partners Act as buddies on the Access student forum Compare forum traffic with intervention v earlier non-intervention presentations Questionnaire for Access students at module end Perspectives on buddy involvement Study intentions Structured interviews with buddies Data compared with other presentations on: TMA submissions; and module outcomes. 5
BUD: outcomes Better understanding of how our learning environments, including ODFs, might be fully inclusive for those identifying as autistic or Black. Interns have drafted recommendations based upon their reflections, lived experience, buddy experiences and scholarly engagement with resources such as published works. Evidence of the value of full inclusion of students in scholarship and shaping an inclusive learning environment for all. Students have truly shaped this project and its outputs. Equal partnership. Structured interview / blog on experiences. 6
BUD: challenge 1 - funding Money for paying interns; arguing that voluntary approach or vouchers were not sufficient. Costings for minimum wage, inclusive of NI etc. Careers and Employability Service (CES) advice. Multiple funding streams secured = more to manage for cost codes, reports etc. APP is funding approx. 35 internships in 2022/ 23. 7
BUD: challenge 2 find the interns CES superb! Advice on: fair wage costs and length of internships minimum 140 hours advertising inclusive language for advertising They also managed the advertising, accepted applications and were available re short listing. 8
BUD: challenge 3 - time On-boarding interns including IT / VLE systems access Weekly 1-2-1 meetings for intern and project lead Project team meetings interns and lead initially and then grown Developing interns as true confident partners who offer opinions and co-create in scholarship 9
Actions: how can we maximise equity and diversity in student partnerships? Internships are not the only route. Let s share. 15 mins discussion for each activity; 5 mins sharing to a Padlet. Activity 1: strategies for setting up partnership projects Activity 2: previous successes and ideas Plenary 10
Activity 1: setting up partnership projects Discuss and please share your reflection to the Padlet. 1. Thinking of either a students-as-partners (SAP) project you have run or one you are planning, how did/do you reach / advertise to your potential student partners? who were you looking for student identities and protected characteristics? how might you reach these students in particular? 2. How does the OU (and your school / unit) support SAP initiatives? Funding? Admin support? 11
Activity 2: sharing successes and ideas Discuss and please share your thoughts to the Activity 2 Padlet If you have run a SAP project What did you do? Who helped? What are your tips for success? Have you an idea for a SAP project that you wish to share? What challenges do you anticipate? Who may be your key sources of advice? 12
