The second annual Widening Participation conference was held on Wednesday 8^th March, themed on Student Voice: A Widening Participation Perspective. The conference provided an opportunity and platform for staff and students to share ideas and discuss student voice as a cross-cutting theme across the whole institution, bringing together academic and professional service colleagues and students. There were a wide range of interactive workshops delivered by staff and students across the University of Warwick for delegates to take part in throughout the day, in addition for opportunities for discussion and engagement. 

It was fantastic to see contributions from staff and students from the Faculty of Arts, including a session led by staff and students from the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, who have described their involvement in the conference as follows:

‘The SMLC were pleased to be able to contribute to this year’s Widening Participation Conference on 8 March on Student Voice. This conference is a great opportunity for students and staff to share ideas, initiatives and best practice on the challenges faced by students from WP backgrounds. Orla Whelan Davis SMLC WP Officer was joined by 4 SMLC students to present in one of the insight sessions on “Responding to Student Voice through the SMLC WP student network coordinators”. We explained how as part of our school’s inclusion plan, we recruited students to manage 4 separate networks for; WP students, Black students, Disabled students and LGBTQ+ students with the goal to listen and respond to student voice in order to make SMLC a more inclusive space. The students very much enjoyed talking about their motivations and work to date and we were also inspired to hear from the Philosophy Department with whom we shared the session, on their Black Voices Network.’

There were also sessions led independently by Faculty of Arts students, including, Jada Small (School of Modern Languages and Cultures) who delivered a session on ‘Adjusting to living in the unknown’ and Elizabeth Fagbolagun (Liberal Arts), on ‘Finding Your Voice as an Ethnic Minority Student.’

Elizabeth has described her experience as ‘Having the opportunity to present…at the WP Conference reminded me of the value of my voice and my experience, especially in an age where that isn't always sought. It was also extremely encouraging to see how intrigued people were in what I had said, as spoke to me afterwards.

If you would like to find out more about Widening Participation at the University of Warwick:

Students: Visit our webpages to find out more about the Widening Participation Student Network

Staff: Visit our webpages to find out more about the Widening Participation Staff Network

Faculty of Arts: If you are a member of staff working in the Faculty of Arts, please contact Widening Participation Faculty Coordinator, Victoria Hill (v.hill.1@warwick.ac.uk)