This practice is aimed at using the natural resources that are provided within a classroom. The format of a classroom has a large contribution towards the culture and dynamic of the learning environment. Appropriate management of how staff and students interact in a given educational “place” – composed of physical space and its constructed meaning – is of great importance of both pedagogical efficacy, as well as student and staff wellbeing, including for the management of “social risks” such as professionally inappropriate interactions. Teachers should learn to think actively, though naturally, about how places will be used as they transition from one context to another. Attention should be given to reading the opportunities, limitations and risks that a given physical space and arrangement presents, with pre-emptive planning on how to maximise positive and minimise risk of negative experiences and outcomes. Particular consideration should be given to how power dynamics might playout in a given space, between staff and students, and students with one another. Practically, this pedagogy could be viewed by avoiding negative or unconstructive classroom set-ups.

The carousel invites half the participants to form a standing circle facing outwards with their backs to each other. The other half form a circle around the first group and face inwards so that you have two circles of pairs facing each other. A question for discussion is offered and each pair discusses the question for 2 minutes before a bell sounds and there is a pause to check in (body and mind). The outer circle rotate to the right so that a new pair is formed. At this point the question can remain the same or change for a new focus of discussion. This rotation can continue until all students in each circle have had the opportunity to speak with each student in the outer circle.

We have made an executive decision as a department to actively select tutor and lab groups in a measured and appropriate manner that can provide an even distribution of international students. This has been a decision made by the Chemistry department committee as an active attempt to improve intercultural and international integration. This will require selecting students work groups prior to the start of each year and making sure that there is the opportunity for student engagement with different cultures and ethnicities within the learning environment. We hope this can negate the propensity for ‘cliques’ of international students to form, which is a natural reaction to studying abroad. However, we feel that the best engagement with the student experience and with the course is by embedding individuals within diverse settings.

At the end of the introductory day the new group is consulted to see whether they would like to be included in the formation of a WhatsApp (or other social media type platform) group. The purpose of this group will be for the group to support each other in between taught elements of the programme. It might be a place where the students can informally discuss the teaching content and assignments. We also suggest that it can be used as a platform for setting up a buddy system for assignments where the students pair up to proof read each other’s work prior to submission (eg: checking referencing and typos, critiquing etc) It is also suggested that it is an opportunity to practice the attitudinal qualities of mindfulness in particular compassion for all members of the group.

In the Chemistry department they are recruiting Chinese project officers to help with the attainment gap and with other situations relating to integration.

Two separate examples for how staff can better engage with students during one-on-one meetings, often in the personal tutor system. For example, student pathway preparation or how best to engage with students when they organise a meeting.

At the end of each day students are asked to complete a feedback sheet with regard to the days teaching. On the feedback sheet – either paper or could be digital - there are four boxes headed: Liked, Disliked, Insights, Queries. The tutor collects these from students at the end of each day and looks through them. At the first session the next day queries are responded to and dislikes acknowledged and any remedial action that could be take is mentioned.

Guidance, warnings and ground rules are all designed to make learning spaces welcoming and inclusive for all students. By taking into account individual students’ needs and experiences, and setting clear parameters for content, dialogue, and classroom interactions, all students know that the classroom is a space in which they can share their ideas in a collegial and constructive environment.