Past conferences

Welcome - Louise Banahene, Director of Student Success and Educational Engagement, University of Leeds

Keynote 1 - Paul Campbell, Associate Professor in the Sociology of race and inclusion, University of Leicester 

Parallel session 1 – Designing authentic, holistic and inclusive curriculums for student success "Academic support for our diverse communities”

Room 1 - Herringbone Suite (Hybrid)

• "Student Success Roadmap - The life Design Concept at the University of Birmingham" - Sammy Li & Pete Collins, University of Birmingham
• Building Community and Addressing Awarding Gaps: Dissertation Writing Retreats at the University of Southampton - Julia O'Connell, University of Southampton

Room 2 - Denim Room (Hybrid)

• Addressing the Career Readiness of Underrepresented Students - Sarah Finnigan and Liam Speight, University of Leeds
• An inclusive approach to embedding sustainability - Jenny Brady, University of Leeds

Room 3 - Cotton Room (In person only)

• Co-creation in a safe space: Listening to the international student voice - Manoj Ravi, Richard de Blacquiere-Clarkson and Benjamin Chong, University of Leeds
• Factors influencing students’ application for Mitigating Circumstances - Tiina M. Eilola, University of Leeds

Parallel session 2 – “Facilitating an inclusive student experience”

Room 1 - Herringbone Suite - Sense of Belonging (Hybrid)

• Queering medicine and health education: a rapid review to support joyful representation of LGBTQIA+ people within the MBChB - Amy Wilson, University of Leeds
• Imposter Feelings among South Asian Undergraduate Students - Noor Aqsa, University of Leeds

Room 2 - Denim Room (Hybrid)

• What does success look like to you?': The role of ‘lived experience’ in Student Success - Beth Kendrick and Kate Usher, University of Lancaster
• I Belong I Matter: Understanding the lived experience of minoritised and marginalised University of Leeds students - Lucy Ross, University of Leeds

Room 3 - Cotton Room (In person only)

• Using trauma informed practice to support under-represented students: lived experience and a strengths-based approach in the Lifelong Learning Centre. - Nadine Cavigioli and Linda Forbes, University of Leeds
• Why should I Speak Up? – the student voice - Farhana Mulla and Robina Mir, University of Leeds

Welcome back – Charlotte Haigh

Keynote 2 - Alison Cook-Sather, Director of the Teaching and Learning Institute, Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges

Snap Presentations

• Understanding how information about adjustments for disabled students is shared at the University of Leeds - Clare Taylor, University of Leeds
• A container for deeper connections”: Using ‘story circles’ to explore intercultural community-building at University of Leeds - Jenna Isherwood, University of Leeds
• UniHelper: Enhancing Group Work Dynamics and Student Success in Higher Education - Lisa Marshall; Zaria Babat, University of Leeds
• Collaboration and co-production: working in partnership with our students to inform and deliver our APP - Dr Heather Lloyd, Edge Hill
• Birmingham/Southampton/Leeds Participation Partnership - Sarah R, University of Leeds
• Thrive: A Widening Participation Student Success Programme - Joanne McKenna, Edge Hill
• "I will probably leave feeling like I never belonged at University". How does race influence students' sense of belonging for women of colour at university - Sharnel Wiggins, University of Leeds (student)

Parallel Session 3 - Using research and analysis to understand and shape systemic change

Room 1 - Herringbone Suite (Hybrid)

• What drives postgraduate awarding gaps? Modelling master’s degree outcomes - Matt Homer, University of Leeds
• Data science of student attainment at the University of Huddersfield - Jarek Bryk and Ruth Stoker, University of Huddersfield

Room 2 - Denim Room (Hybrid)

• Using qualitative analysis to explore what helps and hinders undergraduate psychology student engagement and attainment - Dr Vicki McDermott-Thompson, University of East Anglia
• Positive Action for Underrepresented Groups of Masters Students: Leeds Institute for Data Analytics (LIDA) scholarships programme - Paul Baxter, University of Leeds

Room 3 - Cotton Room (In person only)

• Understanding the Lived Experiences of Black Postgraduate Students in England: Addressing Barriers to Equity - Iman Federico-Awi, University of Leeds
• An exploratory analysis on assessment literacy levels among postgraduate students: a collaborative approach - Noleen R. Chikowore, University of Leeds

Parallel Session 4 - Understanding the lived experiences of under-represented groups to identify and address barriers

Room 1 - Herringbone Suite (Hybrid)

• Transformative power of collective spaces: reflections on facilitating a working-class student advisory board - Stacey Mottershaw and Rachael O'Connor, University of Leeds
• What belonging is and is not for Taught Students, University of Leeds. - Nick Emmel, University of Leeds

Room 2 - Denim Room (Hybrid)

• Supporting innovative approaches to student voice at a Faculty level - Antony Butcher, University of Leeds
• Living in Student Accommodation: Identifying and improving best practice to support students with accessibility requirements at the University of Leeds - Oriana Campbell-Palmer, University of Leeds

Room 3 - Cotton Room (In person only)

• Importance of transition support: Join The Dots - Sabrina Luisi, Brilliant Club
• Exploring International Student Experiences in Master's Level Bioscience Programs through 'Bio-gram' - Hannah Campbell, University of Leeds

Closing Remarks - Jeff Grabill, University of Leeds

Welcome: Louise Banahene (Director of Educational Engagement, University of Leeds)

Keynote speaker: Brightness Mangolothi (Director/CEO at Higher Education Resource Service, South Africa)

Panel discussion

Exploring and critiquing sense of belonging methodologies for measuring student experiences – Dr Emma Heron (Sheffield Hallam University), Helen Parkin (Sheffield Hallam University), Naomi Alormele (Loughborough University), Rachael O’Connor (University of Leeds), David Gilani (Middlesex University).

Belonging and mattering – parallel session 1, theme 1:

• Paper 1: Reflections on the graduate/staff co-creation of a conference paper focusing on intersectional student identities and sense of belonging (Dr Nadine Cavigioli and Anita Collins, University of Leeds)
• Paper 2: A home at University – why somewhere safe to live is fundamental to student success (Helen Arber, Unite Foundation)
• Paper 3: Accommodation and student success (Adele Ruston, University of Nottingham).

Co-Creation and student voice – parallel session 1, theme 2

• Paper 1: Co-creating with Undergraduates - communication of synoptic assessment to Year 1 Students (Charlotte Haigh, University of Leeds)
• Paper 2: Freedom of the Archive! Students’ evaluations of co-created learning (Anna Grimaldi, Lily Else and Grace Nash, University of Leeds)
• Paper 3: Making a manifesto that means more (Clare Campion and Ffion Evans, Manchester Metropolitan University).

Using data to inform change – parallel session 1, theme 3

• Paper 1: Using learning analytics to action change: the University of Surrey’s School of Law approach to monitoring and supporting student engagement (Mark van der enden, Brittany Button and Thekli Anatasiou, University of Surrey)
• Paper 2: Finding and closing awarding gaps in the Faculty of Biological Sciences (Eric Hewitt and Andrew Peel, University of Leeds)
• Paper 3: Commuter student digital engagement and use of campus space: a mixed methods approach using learning analytics data and student views (Em Towler, University of Leeds)

Introduction to the afternoon

Facilitating space: participatory cultures and student success (Professor Alice O’Grady, Dean of Student Education, University of Leeds)

SNAP sessions

• Study skills resource developed in partnership with and aimed at Mature Students (Bryony Brown and Rachel Walls, University of Leeds)
• Artificial intelligence for decolonising the curriculum (Professor Eric Atwell)
• “Engaged and curious minds”: learning from participants’ experiences of the Leeds Excellence in the Arts Programme (Tess Hornsby Smith, University of Leeds)
• “Is this what partnership looks like?” Principles for embedding authentic cultures of partnership (Dr James Forde, University of Leeds)
• Learner attitudes to cultural diversity in higher education (Sofie Wimble and Maria Hussain, University of Leeds)
• Student success and satisfaction in chemical engineering – uncovering trends from the UK National Student Survey data (Dr Manoj Ravi, University of Leeds)
• Identifying at-risk students for early interventions using Learner Analytics and other triggers (Alex Ferguson, University of Leeds)

Belonging and mattering – parallel session 2, theme 1:

• Paper 1: Good practice in creating an online relational learning community (Gillian Proctor, Peter Mbisah and Magda Cygan, University of Leeds)
• Paper 2: Making sense of ‘Sense of Belonging’: the role of community and peer networks in Student Success (Martin Walker and Matthew Pawelski, Lancaster University)
• Paper 3: Connecting curriculum with community as a method of promoting student success and belonging (Sonia Kumar and Danielle Williams, University of Leeds)

Belonging and mattering – parallel session 2, theme 2:

• Paper 1: Finding voice and claiming space – using performance techniques to develop confident communication (Olivia Garvey and Jo Huett, University of Leeds)
• Paper 2: Something to belong to (Rachael O’Connor, University of Leeds)
• Paper 3: On flexibility and engagement: reflections on a mature student summer school (Tolu Adeyeye, University of Warwick and Natalie Watson, University of Nottingham)

Co-creation, progression and student voice – parallel session 2, theme 3:

• Paper 1: Co-constructing research with students: implement of capstone projects in PGT dissertation (Jackie Salter, Siying Shen and Eunica Riquixo, University of Leeds)
• Paper 2: Developing a student-led writing café (Dr Emily Webb and Tharushi Wijesiriwardena, University of Leeds)
• Paper 3: Transition and progression – lessons from the pandemic (Claire Watson and Joanna Blanco-Velo, University of Leeds)

Closing reflections: Louise Banahene (Director of Educational Engagement, University of Leeds)

Welcome: Louise Banahene, Director of Educational Engagement, University of Leeds

Keynote speaker: Professor Jeff Grabill, Deputy Vice-chancellor, Student Education, University of Leeds

Curriculum Redefined: Professor Kenneth McDowall, Pro-Dean for Student Education, University of Leeds

Panel discussion

How to build authentic belonging amongst our students: Professor Bridgette Bewick, University of Leeds, Professor Liz Thomas, University of York, David Gilani, Middlesex University, Head of Student Engagement and Advocacy.

Parallel sessions

Theme 1. Design thinking and curriculum change. Great Woodhouse Room

• Paper 1. Staff and student experiences, and the future of learning spaces: a sociomaterial perspective. Dr Jill Dickinson and Teri-Lisa Griffiths, University of Leeds.
• Paper 2. Preparing to start your course: a toolkit for transitioning students to higher education. Ella Hatton and Tom Hatton, Arden University.
• Paper 3. Design sprints. Co-creative course design to enhance the student experience. Stephanie Hargreaves and Diana De Butts, Nottingham Trent University.

Theme 2. Using data to action change. Beechgrove Room

• Paper 1. Joining the dots: synthesising student voice and feedback to enable data informed learning design. Dr Richard de Blacquiere-Clarkson and Dr Saad Mufti, University of Leeds.
• Paper 2. What can we learn about student belonging from lockdown data? Professor Alison Voice and Jess Davison, University of Leeds.
• Paper 3. Step Up, Stand Out. Supporting international taught postgraduate students to make the most of their year in Leeds. Clare Wright and Alison Leslie, University of Leeds.

Theme 3. Co-creation and Student Voice. St. George Room

• Paper 1. Hidden histories. Embedding the voices of under-celebrated scholars into the curriculum fosters students' sense of belonging. Ellie Davison and Thomas Hobson, University of Lincoln.
• Paper 2. Stop! Collaborate and listen - Mature Student Advisory Board. Lauren Huxley and Laura Conroy, University of Leeds.
• Paper 3. Co-design, reverse mentoring and academic personal tutoring: building authentic staff/student partnerships. Rachael O'Connor and Sophia Lambert, University of Leeds.

Panel discussion

Institutional co-creation and student voice panel discussion. Professor Catherine O'Connor, Syra Shakir, Professor Fiona Shelton, Rozeena Allen, Paige Wong and Kelly Gaughan from Leeds Trinity University

SNAP Sessions

• Providing a voice to the under-represented. understanding diversity and LGBTQIA+ perceptions at LUBS. Sally Chan and Agnes Meakin, University of Leeds.
• Leveraging psychology principles to improve student feedback surveys. Dr Manoj Ravi, University of Leeds.
• Academic personal tutoring and impact on belonging. Professor Simon Lightfoot and Faijabanu Patel, University of Leeds.
• Co-creating an interdisciplinary curriculum in engineering ethics. Christina Nick, University of Leeds.
• Curriculum-in-process and BA Professional Studies. Using inclusive pedagogies to enable students to collaborate in their own degree design. Catherine Bates, University of Leeds.
• Collaboration is key. showcasing collaborative approaches to supporting under-represented students at Leeds. Jenn Coates, Plus Programme, University of Leeds

Parallel sessions

Theme 1. Design Thinking and Curriculum Change. Great Woodhouse Room

• Paper 1. Staff perspectives and understanding of Inclusive Assessment on the Degree Awarding Gap for minority ethnic and mature learners. Sumayyah Patel and Dr Pam Birtill, University of Leeds.
• Paper 2. The Brilliant Club 'joining the dots’: how schools and universities can work together to support student transition to HE. David Jones and Graeme Pedlingham, University of Sussex.
• Paper 3. Why values matter, an investigation of sense of belonging among university students. Professor Nick Emmel, University of Leeds

Theme 2. Using data to action change. Beechgrove Room

• Paper 1. Shedding light on the hidden role of student support in student success: student support in the School of Medicine. Dr Katy Paradine and Andrea McGoverin, University of Leeds.
• Paper 2. Success measures within degree apprenticeships. Kevin Smith and Colleen Henderson, University Centre Quayside.
• Paper 3. Supporting student success at Surrey. By Javayria Masood and Dr Mark van der Enden, University of Surrey.

Theme 3.  Co-creation and student voice. St George Room

• Paper 1. The Cambridge Black Advisory Hub. Addressing awarding gaps via participatory action research. Éireann Attridge and Tyra Amofah-Akardom, University of Cambridge.
• Paper 2. The Black Mentoring Scheme. Mentoring for MBChB students of black heritage. Shakeela Brown and Professor Bridgette Bewick, University of Leeds.
• Paper 3. Piloting an Explicit Approach to Building a Learning Community. Niamh Mullen, University of Leeds.