Case study: Study Space
This project was led by the Students’ Union Education Officer, who was elected on a manifesto to improve the provision of study space for students. With the initial support from Space Management and Timetabling, we began to work with different stakeholders to identify the breadth and depth of issues (and then where to go from there). We have since then come from a position of understanding current provision and what is needed in terms of student preference. The next steps are to work to meet these needs proactively with refurbishment works and software development, and to ultimately implement holistic University-level policy and strategy.
Department(s) / colleagues involved
Warwick Students’ Union, Space Management and Timetabling, Strategic Planning and Analytics, Library, ITS, Student Personalised Information (SPI) programme, Education Executive.
Our aim was to …
Understand and ultimately meet student need with regards to provision and availability of study spaces.
What we did …
We first brought various stakeholders around the University to identify the issues and what could be avenues for improvement. We produced a report which categorised study space, but also conducted an audit and a benchmarking exercise. For this report, we also conducted a short survey to drill down into the student need, but more importantly their preferences on study space provision. Additionally, we went on various walks around campus to discover opportunities where study space could be improved.
The outcome has been …
The University takes study space provision seriously, with new study spaces being built, as well as technological options being launched to give students more information on space available.
The benefit/impact has been …
More planned student study space provision and availability information, ultimately improving the student experience.
This supports the Education Strategy by …
Facilitating reciprocal engagement. Showcasing how listening to and enabling students to bring issues to the fore, and then working collaboratively with them throughout the process, enhances the student experience and hence the educational experience.
It also fulfils part of the Education Space Strategy underneath the Education strategy.
The response of students / staff has been …
Very positive.
Our next steps will be …
Sustaining this way of thinking around broader issues affecting student experience, but also specifically this project. The next steps are to create a set of principles and policies on study space that meets the diverse needs of students for space to study.
To find out more, you can contact …
Liam Jackson, President, Student's Union
Liam dot Jackson at warwick dot ac dot uk
Scott Lloyd, Senior Assistant Registrar, Space Management and Timetabling
S dot Lloyd at warwick dot ac dot uk