Partnership as an entangled space of becoming

Reflections on a collaborative journey

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15173/ijsap.v9i2.6022

Keywords:

Equity, joy, Transformation, Reciprocity, Connection

Abstract

Two university staff members and two former students reflect on their collaborative journey, beginning in 2019 and continuing through the Covid-19 pandemic. The paper examines motivations for engaging in Student-Staff Partnership (SSP) projects, evolving understandings of partnership, and challenges faced. Rooted in Freirean principles of hope, transformation, dialogue, and collaboration, the partnership fostered reciprocal relationships and disrupted traditional hierarchies. The collaboration began with a student-designed mentoring scheme and evolved into a deeper inquiry into equity, social justice, and supportive learning environments. Despite systemic challenges, the partnership thrived on micro-moments of joy, connection, and mutual support, highlighting the transformative potential of Freirean partnership. The reflection underscores the importance of process over product, emphasizing mutual respect, dialogue, and hope in creating meaningful educational experiences.

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Author Biographies

Paul Keogh, Birmingham Newman University

Paul Keogh is a recent Master’s graduate of Education with an emphasis on social justice from the University of Birmingham, having completed an undergraduate in psychology with foundation year at Birmingham Newman before that. Prior to studying as a mature student Paul spent over 20 years working in performing arts within technical and production departments this also included working on many education projects within performing arts.

Jody Hepworth, Birmingham Newman University

Jody Hepworth is a Dependency and Recovery Coordinator for Change Grow Live where she delivers psycho social interventions to men on probation with drug addictions. This is after gaining a first class degree with hons in criminology with foundation year at Birmingham Newman university. Prior to this she had 15 years service with West Midlands ambulance service as an emergency medical dispatcher.

Sarah Parkes, Birmingham Newman University

Sarah Parkes is Reader in Collaborative Pedagogies and Practice at Birmingham Newman University. She teaches and supports learners across a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses and leads the university’s Postg Graduate Certificate in HE Practice and the CPD route to PSF 2023 Fellowship. She is a National Teaching Fellow; a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy; a Newman Distinguished Teaching Fellow, and an Advance HE CATE award winner.

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Published

2025-10-15

How to Cite

Keogh, P., Hepworth, J., Orrnert, A., & Parkes, S. (2025). Partnership as an entangled space of becoming: Reflections on a collaborative journey. International Journal for Students as Partners, 9(2), 230–239. https://doi.org/10.15173/ijsap.v9i2.6022

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Reflective Essays

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Paul Keogh, Jody Hepworth, Anna Orrnert, Sarah Parkes

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