Student feedback plays a crucial role in every aspect of education. Responding to student voice involves paying attention to how student feedback is processed and how the impact of this activity is communicated back to students, and questions around how effectively providers and students’ associations are doing this are increasingly important. During this project, students and staff worked together to develop a set of core principles that underpin policies and practices relating to responding to the student voice in a range of contexts.
These principles include:
Resource pack
A resource pack based on a set of cards was produced in 2018. To celebrate 20 Years of Enhancement, QAA Scotland has reviewed each of the resource and updated to reflect our contemporary challenges and the importance of gathering student feedback in a tertiary learning environment.
Research
We gathered evidence through a consultation with the Scottish higher education sector and a scan of international practice to form our student voice principles of practice. We have published a report on the findings of this research, comprising a literature review, interviews and surveys.
Examples of practice
Alongside, and in support of, the principles of practice, the Responding to the Student Voice project sought to identify and share a wide range of examples of practice. We have drawn resources from a project event aimed at sharing effective practice and from the institutional and student association/union.
Sector ‘think-tank’ event: Responding to student voice
On 26 April, 2018, we held a Student Voice Think Tank event in Glasgow. Institutions had the opportunity to learn about the different approaches students’ associations use to communicate the impact of the student voice. The event contributed to the development of our principles of practice and provided a range of examples of practice. View our Wakelet to find out more about the event
Event resources
- Capturing and responding to student voices: exploring innovative alternatives (PPTX, 2.93MB) | Liz Austen (Sheffield Hallam University)
- Sketch-note of Liz Austen Keynote (PDF, 0.06MB) | drawn by Katrina Swanton (Edinburgh Napier University)
- Work in Progress: Celebrating enhancements achieved in partnership at school and course levels (PPTX, 7.47MB) | Kirsty Campbell (Robert Gordon University) & Kerry Harrison (Robert Gordon University Students' Association)
- Nothing Ever Gets Done: Demonstrating the Impact of the Student Voice (PPTX, 0.54MB) | Matt Adie (University of Stirling Students’ Union)
- Enhancing the Student Representation System to close the feedback loop (PPTX, 0.16MB) | Bobi Archer (University of Edinburgh Students’ Association)
- How to win module feedback and influence practice? (PPTX, 0.38MB) | Julie Blackwell Young (University of Abertay)
- Engaging the student voice and closing the feedback loop with technology (PPTX, 4.63MB) | Anish Bagga (Unitu) & David Watson (University of Greenwich)
Curated examples of practice and useful resources from around the sector
We have selected examples of practice and resources to showcase a range of approaches to responding to student voice, as well as the formation and sharing of policy and strategy around this activity.
Student voice ‘hub’ pages
- Student voice | University of Edinburgh
- Student Voice | Liverpool Hope University
- Student Voice | University of Plymouth
- Student Voice: Share your student voice and make difference | Manchester Metropolitan University
Responding to student voice resources
- Your voice has been heard | University of Aberdeen
- “Your voice has…” webpages | Nottingham Trent University
- Your voice matters blog | University of Brighton
Student Associations/Unions
- Student voice | University of Strathclyde Students’ Union
- Your voice, your ideas | Queen Margaret University Students’ Union
- School Presidents | University of St Andrews Students’ Union
- Student voice website | Robert Gordon University Students’ Union
Policy and strategy resources
- A guide to student voice for staff | University of Plymouth
- Closing the loop: actions and improvements | The University of Auckland
- Revitalising the Student Survey Process at Heriot-Watt University: Closing the feedback loop and how do we know we have made a difference? (PDF, 0.77MB) | Heriot Watt University
- Closing the feedback loop models (PDF, 0.80MB) | University College Dublin
- Obtaining and responding to feedback from students: University Code of Practice (PDF, 0.44MB) | University of Glasgow
- Policy for listening to and responding to the student voice | University of Portsmouth
Sector views and related resources
- Student Partnerships in Quality Scotland resources | sparqs
- Use and Abuse of the Student Voice | Stella Jones-Devitt and Jill LeBihan (Sheffield Hallam University for AdvanceHE)
- Researching student voices | Liz Austen (Sheffield Hallam University for Wonkhe)