Student partnership to achieve cultural change

Authors

  • Shuab Gamote Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Leonie Edmead Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Bethany Stewart Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Tamara Patrick Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Claire Hamshire Manchester Metropolitan University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8585-2207
  • Rachel Forsyth Manchester Metropolitan University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7401-2870

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15173/ijsap.v6i1.4837

Keywords:

students as partners, differentail outcomes, Black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME), listening

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 11 BAME student ambassadors who developed and delivered campaigns and events for students and who linked with university staff and the Students’ Union to represent students’ views on ways to achieve positive change on campus. Partnership working was essential to enable the student ambassadors to develop trust, make their own changes, and influence key decision makers across the University.

 

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Author Biographies

Shuab Gamote, Manchester Metropolitan University

Shuab Gamote is the Project Coordinator of the BAME Ambassador Project at Manchester Metropolitan University Students Union. Having joined the university as a student three years ago, Shuab has been actively involved in University activities, from running for Students Union President to being a spokesperson for First Generation students. His interest range from being a national ambassador for mentoring with One Million Mentors to local community work with disadvantaged high schools and local community led organisations. 

Leonie Edmead, Manchester Metropolitan University

 Leonie Edmead contributed to this project as a student partner. She is currently in a BAME Ambassador for the Arts and Humanities faculty at Manchester Metropolitan University. She has completed her final year of studying BA Hons Textiles in Practice at Manchester School of Art. 

Bethany Stewart, Manchester Metropolitan University

 

Bethany Stewart contributed to this project as a student partner whose role involved representing the Arts and Humanities Faculty as a BAME Ambassador. She is currently studying for her master’s degree in Architecture at the Manchester School of Architecture. 

Tamara Patrick, Manchester Metropolitan University

Tamara Patrick contributed to this project as a student partner. She currently holds a BA Honours degree in Media and Communication and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Creative Advertising Strategy at Manchester Metropolitan University. Tamara is also a co-host and producer of a podcast dedicated to exploring BAME-related matters within university and beyond. 

Claire Hamshire, Manchester Metropolitan University

Professor Claire Hamshire is a Professor of Higher Education and the Head of Education for the Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK; combining a faculty role with a cross-institutional contribution to pedagogical research. She is also a UK HEA National Teaching Fellow, HEA Principal Fellow and the Vice-President for the European Region of the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL).  

Rachel Forsyth, Manchester Metropolitan University

Dr Rachel Forsyth is Head of the University Teaching Academy at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her research interests focus on institutional change, particularly in relation to inclusive learning communities and assessment in higher education, and she teaches on the University's PGC in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education and MA in Higher Education. As Editor-in-Chief of the Student Engagement in Higher Education Journal, she is an active member of the Researching, Advancing, Inspiring Student Engagement (RAISE) network. 

References

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Mercer-Mapstone, L. and Abbot, S. (2020) The Power of Partnership. Students, Staff, and Faculty Revolutionizing Higher Education. North Carolina. Elon University Centre for Engaged Learning. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36284/celelon.oa2

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Published

2022-05-10

How to Cite

Gamote, S., Edmead, L., Stewart, B., Patrick, T., Hamshire, C., & Forsyth, R. . (2022). Student partnership to achieve cultural change . International Journal for Students as Partners, 6(1), 99–108. https://doi.org/10.15173/ijsap.v6i1.4837

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 1 (2022)

Section

Special Section: Partnership in fostering socially-just pedagogy

License

Copyright (c) 2022 Claire Hamshire, Shuab Gamote, Rachel Forsyth, Louise Jones, Tamara Patrick, Bethany Stewart, Leonie Edmead

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