A traitor in their midst? Emily’s view on HE forum
As the nation was gripped by the BBC hit series Celebrity Traitors, Students’ Association President of Education Emily Bannister joined the nation’s leading higher and further education decision makers at the Further and Higher Education Strategy Forum – the only student in attendance. A traitor in the midst of the faithful?
“Attended by Vice-Chancellors, Deans, Principals, Chief Executives, Finance Directors, IT Directors, and other departmental heads, one may first believe ‘The Celebrity Traitors’ and ‘Further and Higher Education Strategy Forum’ could not be further apart – although I’d beg to differ.
“On Wednesday 8 September, we watched as our favourite celebrities were welcomed by Claudia Winkleman to a castle in the Scottish Highlands. The nation was captivated by the selection of traitors at an intense roundtable before the traitors plotted to commit their first murder.
“At the same time a few hundred miles south, education leaders entered a secluded countryside manor house to discuss the existing and forthcoming challenges in the FE and HE sector. Disregarding Claudia Winkleman’s gothic aesthetic, Mark Bramwell (Chief Digital and Information Officer: University of Oxford, Saïd Business School) stepped into the role of host. Throughout the next three days, as Chair he valiantly guided our discussions, whilst keeping a tight grip on viewer engagement.
A traitor in the crowd?
“Designed and branded as an ‘exclusive’ event for sector leaders, I – a student – was miraculously included on the programme. Surrounded by leaders whom, as an elected student representative, I am expected to respectfully disagree with, my initial thought was “I’m the traitor in this crowd”. I entered the forum with scepticism, prepared to hear about a lack of student voice in decision making, and limited consideration of the student experience in strategic thinking.
“Adrian Ellison (Pro Vice-Chancellor (People and Digital): University of West London) delivered his address on A Vision for Inclusive Practice. He inspiringly outlined institutional efforts to enhance accessibility across physical and digital spaces. I was struck by how student facing his presentation was and immediately altered my traitor mindset. In support of equitable access to resources and services for all users, he outlined improvements to online platforms, the integration of assistive technologies in learning environments, and the adoption of tools to improve campus navigation. My notebook was filled with excited scribbles at the possibility to implement similar initiatives at St Andrews.
“A following session hinted at an institutional fear to consult students in decision making so as not to disrupt National Student Survey scores. I assert that their initiatives would be vastly improved, better respected, and more easily implemented through student involvement.
How students at St Andrews shape their journey
“Following this came my presentation: Transforming Campus Life Through Student Engagement. Presenting in partnership with Professor Clare Peddie (Vice-Principal of Education (Proctor), we outlined how St Andrews students shape their own university journey. Through our Reimagining Representation project, our University and Students’ Association have reworked who they invite to each meeting, to ensure different and diverse student voices are every stage of decision making.
“From identification to development and implementation of a university-wide project, students are involved. This work has a profound effect on our student experience, encouraging a culture of engagement and community. I asserted that students should be strategically placed at the heart of university decision making rather than treated as feedback form completers. We concluded with an assertation that the student experience exists within and outside lecture theatres, and both the University and Students’ Association can facilitate all aspects of university life: traditions, societies, events, and representation.
“I expected institutions to be faithful to each other and defend their lack of student partnership, but instead, I was met with positivity and commitments to better embed student voices. It appears I was not murdered at the round table…
Embracing new developments
“In true Celebrity Traitors style we separated into factions for our ‘post-round table’ discussion. Hosted by the University of Cardiff, my group learnt of their pioneering Artificial Intelligence-simulated patients and laboratories for their medical students. It was this group where I officially abandoned my traitor mindset and accepted that all attendees of the Forum were all working in the same progressive direction. Students and staff alike fear stagnation and want to embrace new developments – such as AI- whilst also being mindful of the challenges innovation poses to our sector.
“As the only student in attendance – and presenting- at the Forum, I found it intimidating, comforting and empowering. I acknowledge that all attendees adopt pioneering views on the existing and forthcoming challenges in the sector.
“The real traitor amongst our crowd is the FE and HE funding landscape which threatens stagnation within our sector. The unsustainable funding landscape limits the development of FE and HE institutions, and therefore the potential of all students.
“On the train back to Scotland, someone in the seat in front of me called their partner about Celebrity Traitors – I just hope that innovations within the Further and Higher Education sector can become this widely discussed.”
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