Running online events really help us to connect with students and find out how you really feel about our services.
Samantha Smeraglia, the Association's Strategy and Insight Assistant, explains what happened at our first Student Prizewinners' Party – an idea she came up with at her job interview!
An interview idea might seem a funny way to celebrate students and carry out some informal research, but that is what happened at the Association’s first Student Prizewinners' Party on 15 June.
When I was interviewed for my role here at the Association, my interview task was to come up with a proposal for a prizewinners’ event, which was something we’d never done before. The interview panel loved the ideas and not only did I get the job, but I also got to put my proposal into action!
We run lots of student competitions each year and the plan was to hold a fun, informal online event that would celebrate previous student winners, allow students and staff to connect and do a little Q&A on recent student elections. So, invites were sent and party packs were posted - many wore their party hats, but the coffee and tea bags were not needed on what must have been one of the hottest evenings so far this year!
There were some surprises and healthy debates (“what is your go-to study snack?”) and eight more prizes were won. Despite the heat, attendance was great, and students were happy to share views on what voting and the Election process had really been like for them. Between exams and work, time was an issue but student voters really wanted a say in selecting who to represent them on a range of issues, from mental health to their academic interests:
“The importance of Elections (the ‘why’) and the student CEC Reps (the ‘who’), should be included at Freshers and not just at voting time, so that everyone knows who they are and what they do.” – Billy D.
“The importance of Elections (the ‘why’) and the student CEC Reps (the ‘who’), should be included at Freshers and not just at voting time, so that everyone knows who they are and what they do.”
“I voted, the process was really easy.”
“There could be better communication of Election results, so that all students know who they are. Perhaps a direct email to voters?”
“I voted, and I’d do it again.”
Student insight is at the heart of what drives your Association decisions and services, but as a distance-learning University there is less opportunity for on-campus contact. Running online events like this really help us to connect with students and find out how you really feel about our services (good or bad!), or how easy it is (or not) for you to find and access the support you want. It can also be fun!
“I am really pleased to have won a hoodie and enjoyed attending the event last night. It is great to have opportunities to attend and engage with the association and other students.” – Bliss R.
“Last night was really good, a great combination of important 'business' questions followed by a more social time.” – Kate W.
We have had some lovely feedback and would like to run similar events again. Who says that research has to be dull?! Wonder what some of our new prizewinners will do with their vouchers?