Title: Designing for Inclusion Programme

Department: Chemistry

Staff Lead: Tom Ritchie

Overview:

The Designing for Inclusion programme was an initiative aimed at creating a more equal, diverse, and inclusive campus environment. It was run by the Chemistry Department in collaboration with Warwick Enterprise and the Institute for Advanced Teaching and Learning. The programme supported student-led teams in identifying and addressing everyday problems faced by students and staff, with the goal of finding innovative solutions that make the campus a more equal, diverse, and inclusive place to live, study, and work. 

Over the four-week programme from February 22nd to March 15th, each student-led team was provided with a structured framework for teams to apply design thinking and project support tools in developing interdisciplinary solutions. By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise from across all faculties, the programme fostered collaboration and co-creation. Once these student-staff teams have completed the programme and developed their prototype solution, these teams will receive further support to test and embed their solutions over the summer. 

Outcomes:

With a focus on co-creation and student involvement, the programme attracted a total of 30 participants from 17 different departments. The scrum method was employed to teach participants new skillsets and project management techniques, enabling them to effectively tackle the identified EDI challenges. 

The programme yielded five student-led projects, each with a specific focus on fixing EDI problems: 

• The BAME Grad Schemes project team, composed of students from Law and Life Sciences, worked towards enhancing opportunities for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic students in graduate schemes.  
• The Women in STEM project team, consisting of students from Computer Science, WBS, Chemistry, and WMS, focused on empowering and supporting women pursuing STEM fields.  

• The Decolonising Education project team, drawn from Psychology, GSD, SMLC, Philosophy, and English Literature, aimed to challenge Eurocentric perspectives and promote diverse voices within the curriculum.  
• The WP Lifecycle in SMLC project team, consisting of students from SMLC, Hispanic Studies with Film Studies, Politics and International Studies with French, and Modern Languages with Linguistics, aimed to enhance the experience of working-class and underrepresented students within the School of Modern Languages and Cultures. 
• The Thrive Together project team, composed of students from Sociology and English with Comparative Literary Studies, focused on creating a supportive community for marginalized students. 

Moving forward, as the project teams completed the programme, they were granted funding and project management support to embed their solutions over the summer. This ensured the sustainability and continuity of the projects, fostering a long-lasting impact on the campus community. 

Evaluation:

The programme provided a platform for students and staff to collaborate, fostering a sense of shared ownership and collective responsibility for creating an inclusive and diverse campus environment. The programme's emphasis on a comprehensive learning approach, including Design Thinking and Sprint skills, encouraged participants to develop a growth mindset and explore their passion for effecting positive change. The utilization of the scrum design method proved successful in engaging students and staff in the process of developing meaningful solutions. 

The commitment to inclusivity and diversity showcased by the project teams was commendable. The high level of involvement indicated a genuine interest among students and staff to actively contribute to making a positive impact on campus. By addressing specific EDI challenges, the teams aimed to create tangible and meaningful change, enhancing the experiences of underrepresented groups within the university community. This demonstrated a strong dedication to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. 

Moving forward, the programme's success highlights the potential for further development and implementation of the scrum design method in module design and teaching practices. The programme's positive outcomes can serve as a foundation for expanding the use of innovative teaching methods that empower students to tackle real-world problems and foster a culture of continuous improvement and inclusivity.

Embedding:

The five student-led projects developed through the Designing for Inclusion programme are currently being embedded within the University, marking a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and diverse campus environment. The process and methodology designed for the programme have garnered recognition and will be presented at the upcoming Social Inclusion Conference. 

This presentation showcases the impact and success of the programme, demonstrating its potential as a model for promoting social inclusion and driving positive change within educational institutions. The embedding of the projects and the dissemination of the programme's process contribute to a long-lasting legacy of inclusivity and innovation at Warwick University.