About the event:
We are delighted to announce our forthcoming one-day online symposium, “Empowering the Student Experience: Navigating Challenges with Integrity and Inclusivity.” This event aims to address the growing importance of student well-being, mental health, and inclusivity within higher education. Inspired by significant legal precedents such as the Natasha Abrahart case, the symposium will explore critical issues surrounding student support services, legal considerations, and empowerment strategies within higher education institutions.
Through a variety of engaging formats, including presentations, workshops, and discussions, participants will delve into the vital role they play in fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students. Attendees will gain valuable insights, practical tools, and inspiration to enhance their professional practice and empower the student experience.
We invite proposals from all areas of higher education professional services, not just those working in student experience, for the following session types:
– Workshops: Interactive sessions aimed at developing practical skills and strategies.
– Games: Engaging activities designed to provide experiential learning opportunities.
– Presentations: Informative sessions sharing research, case studies, and innovative approaches.
– Discussions: Facilitated discussions on pertinent topics to share experiences and insights.
Submission Guidelines:
Proposals should align with the symposium’s objectives. We have suggested broad themes and ideas that your session could align to, but this list is not exhaustive, and you are welcome to suggest an alternative! To find out more about the thematic areas, you can click on each theme below:
1. Understanding the Student Experience
– The current state of the student experience in higher education.
– Student well-being and mental health support.
– Case studies that explore student perspectives.
2. Legal and Ethical Considerations
– Legal frameworks and obligations.
– Addressing equity and inclusivity in policies.
– Clarify legal and ethical concerns in student support.
3. Best Practices in Support Services
– Effective support services for students with disabilities.
– Interventions that address racial discrimination and inequalities
– Success stories and innovations in student support initiatives.
4. Student Engagement and Empowerment
– Empowering students as agents of change.
– Building student resilience and self-advocacy skills.
– Inspiring action towards a more inclusive and supportive higher education landscape.
5. Compassionate Communication
– Fostering empathetic and supportive communication with students.
6. Supporting Students Remotely
– Strategies for supporting remote students and how to broach conversations online
– Addressing cultural taboos around seeking well-being support
Proposal Requirements:
– Thematic area: State which thematic area your session most aligns to.
– Title: A clear and descriptive title of your session.
– Session Description: A concise summary (300 words max) of the session’s content and objectives.
– Learning Objectives: List 3 key takeaways for participants.
– Session Format: Indicate if your session is a workshop, game, presentation, or discussion.
– Length of session: Indicate the time you will need for your session (50 minutes maximum). We will do our best to accommodate your preference within the schedule, but we cannot make any guarantees.
– Presenter(s) Bio(s): Brief biographies of the presenter(s), including relevant experience and expertise (100 words max per presenter).
– Contact Information: Email address and phone number for the primary contact.
Your contact details will be shared with the AHEP team, as well as Lead and Deputy Coordinators of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion SIG and the Student Experience and Engagement SIG as partners in the design and delivery of this event. The Lead and Deputy Coordinators are supporting the moderation of proposals and the design and delivery of the programme. Your contact details will not be shared with anyone outside of AHEP.
To find further information on how AHEP processes your data, please see the AHEP Privacy Notices here.
Selection Criteria:
Proposals will be evaluated based on relevance to the symposium theme, clarity of objectives, originality, and potential for participant engagement and learning.
Notification of Acceptance:
Presenters will be notified of the acceptance of their proposals within a week of the submission closing date of Monday, 10 June.
For any inquiries or further information, please contact the Professional Development team at events@ahep.ac.uk.
Successful proposals will receive a place at the event free of charge!
In recognition of the contribution made to the programme, presenters and co-presenters (maximum of three to a session) are entitled to attend the event free of charge.
Join us in this vital dialogue to enhance the higher education experience for all students through collaboration, innovation, and integrity. We look forward to receiving your proposals and to an inspiring symposium.