Alternative Ways of Engaging Student Voice – Exploring Belonging, Empowerment and Decolonising

Safadi, Sami

Abstract

The current frameworks of student voice structures are limited and don’t always see the best engagement. The presentation will unpack alternative methods to student voice including two approaches tried in the Business School/Uni of Salford to explore authentic and empowered student voice. The first was introducing students to a decolonised approach to education including student voice through 4 seminars. The second will unpack a podcast series called Belonging in a Business School which involves staff and students sharing authentic experiences and stories – still in line with a decolonised approach. The podcast episodes cover a range of areas tied to Belonging from identity to employability and how these authentic, personal, and lived stories tie to perceptions and concepts of Belonging. We are currently in Season 2. The session will delve into the podcast including some key moments, learning, impact, and next steps. The session will summarise both approaches as well as feedback and highlights, areas for improvement/challenges, and next steps as well as focusing on the theme of Student Voice.

• Presentation Conference Type: Presentation / Talk
• Conference Name: Student Voices in Higher Education - building a collaborative future through insight and action
• Start Date: Apr 30, 2025
• End Date: May 1, 2025
• Deposit Date: May 7, 2025
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed