Community & Belonging

Post-pandemic, staff in the department were seeing students really struggle with isolation and disconnection, particularly in Chemistry where the workload can be intense. Traditional support wasn't reaching the students who needed it most. The team realised they needed to flip the script - instead of asking 'what's wrong with students?', they started asking 'what's wrong with our systems?'. That shift changed everything.

The 'We Are Chemistry' initiative revolves around creating a genuine partnership between staff and students. Instead of designing things for students, staff in Chemistry have been working with their students to create experiences which actually matter. It's built around four simple pillars - Feel Good, Have Fun, Learn More, Get Active - and uses so-called 'high-value, low fixed-cost, by stealth' approaches to maximum impact with minimal resources.

Through incorporating the project principles into their curriculum design, they've also seen 58% and 60% increases year on year for first-year students engaging with the URSS. However, beyond this, the everyday moments cannot be overstated - when a student who was considering dropping out finds their place in the community and goes on to graduate, or when their 'by stealth' approach means someone gets support without having to ask for help.

'We Are Chemistry' is now an ongoing project within the department. They have achieved many milestones in this time; for example, seeing student-led initiatives like the 'Warwick Black Chemistry Society' emerge naturally, designing and building the Chemistry Common Room to be accessible for all students, and installing a Community Fridge to support students facing food insecurity. In addition to this, they hold regular free events for their students, including a Chem Climbing Club at the Sports and Wellness Hub, Snack & Study Sessions, and ChemArt - a creative wellbeing session.

For more information on 'We Are Chemistry' initiatives, you can visit their website or get in touch with Dr Tom Ritchie.

In January 2023, the SMLC set up four student-led networks in January 2023; the Black Students Network, the Disability Network, the LGBTQ+ Network and the Widening Participation Network.

The aim of each is to work closely with the Senior Tutor team in order to make the SMLC an inclusive space for all students and staff by encouraging diversity within the department. By doing so, the networks aim to improve the experiences of groups of individuals that identify with and participate in these networks.

In addition, the SMLC runs an EDI Forum which are attended by network leads and staff. These meetings allow for the sharing of ideas and experiences, such as how the department can incorporate various themes into the curriculum, or adapt the way in which certain materials are approached.

The networks have also run events for staff to share tips on how to support students; for example, through accessible teaching methods. Network leads have also spoken at conferences about how they strive for inclusivity in the department.

Outputs:

The Disability Network has created a resource on accessibility tips and trips document, outlining the accessible features available in commonly used software such as Microsoft Word. It has worked on a questionnaires seeking feedback on the SMLC department. These aim to evaluate how supportive the department is of disabled students, and experiences of the year abroad.

• Join the SMLC Disabled Students WhatsApp groupLink opens in a new window

The Black Students Network has tripled the number of students in its group chat, established an online social media presence on Instagram to promote events, initiatives, and other on-campus information and opportunities for black students. Additionally, two network socials have been organised; the first was an introduction, while the second provided tailored information about the year abroad to black students studying both languages and non-languages degrees, including a live Q&A session with their current year abroad rep.

The LGBTQIA+ Network has provided safe spaces within fun social events for queer students to discuss their experiences, concerns, and suggestions. Thanks to these successful social events, the network has greatly increased in membership and collects a lot of feedback regarding the department and university life in general.

• Join the SMLC LGBTQIA+ Students WhatsApp groupLink opens in a new window

The Widening Participation Network has hosted social events offering advice on subjects ranging from year abroad finances to support for students with caring responsibilities. Opportunities for WP students are shared via Instagram alongside tips and tricks for navigating the cost of living crisis. The network has also started to plan the upcoming WP Student Lifecycle Project.

• Join the SMLC WP Network WhatsApp groupLink opens in a new window

The department has also seen some adaptations to teaching. For instance, the increased implementation of captioning on videos, which facilitates the learning of students with diverse needs.

Next steps: The networks will continue to organise more social events, information and accessibility sessions for SMLC students.

The Disability Network will be hosting study sessions every other week to collect study tips linked to learning languages with a disability, which will be compiled into a resource. The Black Students Network has drafted handbooks for students who are completing, or have completed their year abroad. These contain a series of questions about the more general side of preparing for and choosing a destination for a year abroad, as well as the factors that might impact black students in particular when deciding on a location. The LGBTQIA+ Network is launching a magazine celebrating queer culture, which is open to both staff and students. The network is also working on important resources for queer students on their year abroad regarding their safety and mental health. The Widening Participation Network is working closely with Orla Whelan-Davis and Cathy Hampton to set up the SMLC WP Lifecycle Project, which aims to learn more about the WP student experiences by running focus groups, for example, in order to identify short-, medium- and long-term solutions.

The Classics and Ancient History department held an informal event where all undergraduates were invited to hear four postgraduates from various backgrounds discuss why they chose to pursue postgraduate study, and what they did and didn’t enjoy.

The event provided an informal and friendly space for interaction between postgraduate (PG) and undergraduate students (UG), which would have otherwise remained fairly separate.

The event offered visibility to students of the further opportunities in Classics, as the PG students involved were great examples of how individuals from all backgrounds can pursue their passions in Classics despite various challenges.

The informal nature of the event meant that UG perspectives were also shared in a faciltated two-way discussion.

Next steps:A similar event will be held at the end of term 2 in 2023/24 to cater for students currently thinking about pursuing postgraduate study. Positive feedback from both undergraduates and postgraduates has meant that further events will be organised to bring both communities together.

The Philosophy department has focused on community building as part of its inclusive education activities, which has led to the creation of a Student Event Fund and Committee. This aims to support the building of a more inclusive community through staff-student partnership and co-production.

The fund is available to students to organise community building events which specifically support inclusivity and contribute to the Philosophy community. The committee includes staff and student representatives across UG, PG and PhD programmes, as well as representatives from key student societies.

In the past academic year, an events schedule was produced and a more diverse but coherent suite of activities was offered to students. The majority of applications were supported, which included a wide range of student-led activities. This included a celebration event showcasing student research on a new UG Race and Philosophy module. An end-of-year student conference and celebration event will now take place each year, with inclusion-based theme chosen by the students. This academic year, the committee has chosen the theme of feminism.

Output: Read the Philosophy Student Events Funding proposal form.

Next steps: The last academic year was something of a pilot; the department aims to maintain and increase opportunities for students and staff members in due course. In the current academic year, the number of applications to the fund has already increased.

Funding for the Black Voices NetworkandMinorities and Philosophy groups has also been regularised and increased to enable additional autonomy in planning and organisation. The next step is to increase the number of projects funded through the Student Events Fund and Committee.