Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Please see below for our FAQs regarding student co-creation. If you need any further information which is not covered on this page, please reach out to us via the page contact details at the bottom of the webpage.
What do we mean by co-creation?
Co-creation has many definitions and interpretations. For example: "Co-creation aims to bridge the gap between possibilities and sustainable solutions. In co-creation, people connect to recognise their shared reality, to set a common goal and, from this, to arrive at actions that are binding for everyone. Co-creation shows us how to uncover our hidden potentials." (Michalik, 2023).
Student co-creation refers to the practice of working with students as equal partners and putting student experiences at the heart of our work.
In our context, think of co-creation as a way of working with students in a more meaningful and collaborative way, by bringing students in to work as part of your project team on a part-time basis. Students can support projects by bringing in their own perspectives and helping the project team connect with the rest of the student body. It is a way of building a relationship and community with students and ensuring that the projects and initiatives that we are running have student voices at their heart.
What might student co-creation look like in a project?
Students (recruited via unitemps) can join your project team to support particular workstreams or activities. For example, if you are leading a workstream which will have a significant impact on the student experience, it may be useful to bring students in to support with this. You can have information gathering sessions with the students, they can support with testing and designing things, they can also help you connect with the wider student body through supporting events, focus groups, etc. Students can also join certain project meetings and help influence decision-making.
Co-creation can take different forms for different projects and pieces of work,it isn't a one-size-fits-all. The purpose and shape of the student co-creation will depend on the desired outcomes. It could range from a deep-dive student insight session to employing students as staff within your team. When implemented effectively, this approach will allow us to lead projects with an increased awareness of the student experience, insight into specific academic departments, enhanced understanding of life at Warwick, etc. This approach will also reinforce Warwick’s reputation as an innovative institution, by promoting a cultural change in how we work and challenging traditional institutional hierarchies.
Why work with students?
The University is home to nearly 30,000 students and they hold countless experiences, as well as useful information and context that we may not be able to see from a staff perspective. By involving and talking to students we are more likely to create longer-lasting or better provisions for future users, especially if your workstream will have an impact on student experience. Even if your work doesn't, it's valuable to have a diverse range of experiences and ways of thinking that can be difficult to achieve using staff alone. Students are not just learning, but are an invaluable source to learn from. They come with their own talents and skills, ones that brought them to, and keep them at, the University.
Co-creation adds an additional element to any project work, that is without a doubt. But it can also allow you to build out the depth and breadth of any project- it will allow you to bring in not just new ways of thinking, but an external perspective of someone not in a staff stream. This will allow you to be constructively challenged, and whilst this is difficult, it can open you up to avenues you hadn’t considered. By involving the student's voice, you're contributing to the view that students opinions and needs matter, something pivotal to us as an institution. It can strengthen your offering, provide support through people who may have more time to contribute, and allow you to.
How does co-creation fit with the Students' Union?
Co-creation opportunities allow different groups of students to get involved, especially those that would not necessarily put themselves forward for SU roles, which can be more representative. It also gives more students a chance to gain some valuable experience. Co-creation allows students to become embedded within a team and allows for building inclusive culture/community.
How do we know if co-creation is right for this project?
If the project directly impacts on students, e.g., a product or service they use then student co-creation will be key to creating a better, more accurate provisioning for the project. It is also important to consider whether your project will indirectly have an impact on students, and how large that input is. If you are unsure, then please reach out to to get advice and guidance on student involvement. Consideration must be placed on the capacity and ability to support the student within the project, there must be resource to line manage and help the student.
There are many different parts of a project where students can be involved, including Insights - Ideation - Design-Testing - Implementation - Review, and it's important to consider the purpose of student involvement and where it is most appropriate to bring them in. This might be at different stages, or it may be from the start, the important part is to consider this at the beginning of your project and make an informed decision.
Do we need approval/permission from Departments before approaching students?
No. If you are advertising a student role via unitemps, it is the students’ right to apply, and therefore they would not need approval from Departments. However, keep in mind the power dynamics and challenges if you are including both students and staff from the same Department in certain meetings or activities. Ensure that students feel comfortable sharing their views in these contexts. Also, keep in mind that the academic responsibilities of students must take priority.
Where can I request funding from?
Funding for co-creation officers needs to come from individual Departmental or project budgets.
What should I do if I do not have any funding available, but want to work with students?
As stated above, students should be paid for their work if they are expected to perform tasks as staff. However, we understand this is not always possible, and if there is the case that students cannot be paid for the time, consider the following remuneration options:- Discounts off of memberships such as Sports
- Vouchers for on campus retailers
- Points towards the Warwick Award- an employability scheme
- Paying for attendance at a conferences, or courses
- At a minimum paying for travel and other potential costs
How can we recruit students?
Students can be recruited via Unitemps. Please find a suggested job advert here. Please note, this will need to be adjusted based on individual project needs. Once the advert is live, there are many ways to get the word out to students. For example, including it in one of the newsletters, posting on social media, advertising through the SU, and visiting Departments in person to tell students about the opportunity. Following this, a shortlisting process should take place. Please find the recruitment guidance here.
How many students should we recruit?
The recommendation is to have at least two student officers. This is from the standpoint that joining a team of staff on a new project, as a student, can be quite overwhelming. Therefore, having more than one student can make the experience easier. Also, there may be periods of time where students have increased academic pressures, e.g., around exam time, so it is useful for students to be able to support each other and share workload at times.
How many hours should students work for?
This will vary depending on the number of students you want to recruit and the workload. Consider 5- 10 hours per week as a starting point. This length of time is manageable for students with balancing their academic responsibilities but will give enough time for them to carry out tasks and get involved in the project. Please note that flexibility with time and hours might be required from both yourself and the student, try to note this as part of the application and be willing to move what you can around a student's responsibilities. Might have to flex normal work hours!
How long can we recruit students for?
This will vary depending on the needs of the project. For co-creation to be meaningful, students should feel like part of the team and have received adequate training and support, therefore a minimum period of 3 months is recommended. Longer-term work, such as 6-9 months, can lead to stronger student engagement and better relationships. However, note the time of year when you are recruiting (see below).
When is the best time of year for recruitment?
In general, you will find that students will be interested in these opportunities across the academic year and the summer period. However, the time of year you recruit will depend on the students you can recruit. For example, if you are recruiting in the summer (e.g. June, July) and plan to have a 9-month post, you may not be able to recruit final year students (unless they are confirmed to start a postgraduate course at Warwick). You may also be limited as students are only permitted to work when they are in the UK, and therefore international students who are going home over the summer may not be able to work during this period. Equally, if you are recruiting at the start of the academic year, it may be more difficult for first-year students to come on board. It also goes back to the question above. If you require students for a long-term basis, consider how you will manage that in terms of the academic year.
Confidential Information on projects – how do we ensure that students know what is shareable and what is confidential?
As with any other job, it is important that the co-creation officers receive the right training and support. A developed induction plan will be required to help students understand key stakeholders, communication plans, understanding of what is confidential, etc. The fact that students are in a paid role, increases this sense of accountability, trust and responsibility expected of them. Please see the proposed induction guidelines here.Link opens in a new window
How do we ensure students feel supported?
As mentioned above, ensure that students receive a comprehensive training and induction before they are asked to contribute. You will need to make sure that the students have a general understanding of any acronyms, terminology, organisation charts, and other things they may encounter in the role. Before attending any meetings, create opportunity for briefing sessions and debriefing to ensure students feel supported. A principle of co-creation is around building an inclusive and enabling environment, and a culture which encourages new ideas and ways of thinking. This can take time and patience. Please see the co-creation principles poster.
What sort of tasks could students support with?
When in the role, students can support with a range of tasks and activities. Please refer to the job advertisement as a guideline. Below are some examples of tasks and responsibilities.
- Provide a student perspective across projects.
- Make recommendations for project teams on how to best represent the interest of the student body.
- Carry out information gathering activities where required and requested by the project teams.
- Organise and lead student engagement activities, such as workshops and focus groups.
- Draft, create and distribute student surveys as and when required by the project teams.
- Ad-hoc project admin tasks, including data analysis, supporting with website maintenance and drafting student-facing communications.
- Attend meetings with key stakeholders and influence decision-making.
- Other tasks based on requirements of project teams and the wider Department.
- Complete a personal development task as set by your supervisor.
This will vary across projects and workstreams. Project managers should direct the workload and task list for co-creation officers.
What if a project changes direction and the support required from students changes?
Changing of direction and priorities is often unavoidable across projects. If a project does change direction, compared to how it was initially described to a student, take this as an opportunity for learning and development, and allow students to support with managing and adapting to the changes as this would be valuable work experience for the students.