Student partnership to achieve cultural change

Gamote, Shuab, Edmead, Leonie, Stewart, Bethany, Patrick, Tamara, Hamshire, Claire ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8585-2207, Forsyth, Rachel ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7401-2870 and Jones, Louise (2022) Student partnership to achieve cultural change. International Journal for Students as Partners, 6 (1). pp. 99-108. ISSN 2560-7367

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Abstract

This case study offers reflections on a student-led collaboration between the University and its student representative body (the Students’ Union) and outlines the successes and challenges of partnership to address institutional cultural change. The project was set up to improve students’ experiences and raise awareness of the existence of differential outcomes between Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) and white students and to promote strategies to build meaningful relationships through the development of internal and external networks. It was led by eleven BAME Student Ambassadors who developed and delivered campaigns and events for students, as well as linking with university staff and the Union to represent students’ views on ways to achieve positive change on campus. Partnership working was essential to facilitate the student ambassadors to develop trust, make their own changes and influence key decision makers across the University.