Ultimately proved to be an invaluable learning experience: the development of inclusivity student partnerships at the University of Leicester

The University of Leicester’s Curriculum Consultants work to make current students’ academic experiences more inclusive, representative and relevant to the lived experiences of students from marginalised backgrounds.  

Our student Curriculum Consultants are assigned to academic or professional services departments to investigate and research opportunities staff have identified, or help implement projects, that seek to make our curriculum or student support more inclusive. Our Curriculum Consultants complete their roles with final reports detailing their recommendations informed by their research, activities, student feedback, as well as their own experiences as students and working Curriculum Consultants.

 

However, while we’ve had this initiative in place since 2019/20, the method of approach has changed significantly. Only from 22/23 we have a format that has allowed us to develop an evaluation framework throughout the process. That’s not to say this is the final iteration, but so far we are finding most of the outputs are being adopted within the university, and our Consultants are gaining a lot of personal and skill development through being involved.

Our presentation would take delegates through the gradual development of our format as we looked to balance a structure that supports our student Consultants and project leads, facilitates meaningful projects that will be embedded and evaluated, and preserves the value of our students’ inputs.