Forming new relationships with students: exploring the potential of staff-student partnerships for undertaking pedagogic research

In the changing higher education landscape, with higher fees and a very competitive market, there is increasing focus on student feedback as a means for driving institutional development and facilitating student choice. This is alongside growing interest on the student experience, and ways of meaningfully engaging with the student voice for the benefit of educational enhancement. In this presentation I will explore the potential of working with students in new ways to promote learning and teaching enrichment. I will argue that working in partnership with students provides exciting opportunities for educational innovation, and keeps the student experience at the heart of pedagogic activity. The University of Northampton has been running a scheme called URB@N (Undergraduate Research Bursaries @ Northampton) since 2008, where students are employed as researchers to work on a pedagogical research project alongside a member of staff. The scheme has grown in popularity and lead to an expansion of pedagogic research across the university. I will examine the rationale for student-staff partnerships underpinning the scheme, and draw on feedback from staff and students who have participated in order to highlight the benefits and challenges afforded by such approaches. In conclusion, I will consider the potential offered to STEM subjects by forming new working relationships with students, and make recommendations for ongoing development