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). 

Or more specifically in education: "A collaborative, reciprocal process through which all participants have the opportunity to contribute equally, though not necessarily in the same ways, to curricular or pedagogical conceptualisation, decision-making, implementation, investigation, or analysis." (Cook-Sather et al, 2014).

For when working with students: "When staff and students work collaboratively with one another to create components of curricula and/or pedagogical approaches." (Bovil et al, 2016).

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 team. Student co-creation refers to the practice of working with students as equal partners and putting student experiences at the heart of our work.

Students can support projects, workstreams or initiatives by bringing in their own perspectives and helping the team connect with the rest of the student body. It is a way of building a relationship and community with students and ensuring that our projects and initiatives have student voices at their heart.  

This should be achieved through paid opportunities where students can work as Co-creation Officers.

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 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.

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.

Benefits of co-creation include:

• Educational Innovation - The breakdown of traditional hierarchy creates spaces for enabling environments in which new ideas can be shared. This creates transformative opportunities for change in the institution.
• Inclusivity and Kindness - Co-creation aims to create non-judgemental spaces for individuals to bring their whole authentic selves to the role and bring in their unique perspectives.
• Community/Relationships- Staff and students working together creates a stronger sense of community at Warwick.
• Student Skills Development - The Co-creation Officer role can provide students with opportunity to gain new skills.

When implemented effectively, this approach will allow us to lead projects with an increased awareness of the student experience, insight into specific academic departments, and an enhanced understanding of life at Warwick. 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.  

If you are unsure about whether co-creation is right for your project, 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.