The student perspective of a staff–student partnership scheme

StudentShapers is a program launched in 2018 as part of Imperial College's Learning and Teaching strategy to support partnership between staff students. It supports projects related all areas educational development research. In particular, it provides financial for students facilitate their involvement activities, mandates that the should equally value expertise students, present equal opportunity both, benefit both have an appropriate distribution power. Staff members are invited submit proposals any aligning with program, project durations, student requirements time varying depending on specific proposal. All available opportunities then listed College website can be advertised within departments or faculties. The StudentShaper scheme created encourage staff–student collaboration research.1 Its core tenet valued mutually benefit, overall aim improving experience. This approach aligns concept ‘students partners’, proposing involving own education processes improves engagement, agency enhances higher programs.2 While similar schemes exist elsewhere,3, 4 my knowledge unique providing dedicated platform partnership, supported by bursary. Over penultimate 2 years medical school, I been employed twice two year-long research concerning motivations international electives use pre-performance routines medicine respectively. Having initially applied more longitudinal experience than bursary itself, received far from expected, leave position sincerely hoping institutions create opportunities. A key feature consider partners rather supervisors share team.5 was stark adjustment previous experiences research, calling doctors first names feeling comfortable interjecting opinions even critiquing others’ work. has become increasingly commonplace seek out opportunities, whether pursue burgeoning academic interest particular specialty, especially points awarded future applications presentations publications.6 However, at least, dynamic vastly different arguably improved other relationships, posit several reasons why this may be. Firstly, appreciated clarity application process, where advertise upcoming projects, applicable year group apply. comparison, normally chance upon through prior connections clinical placements being fairly chosen pool candidates. limit who not had placement but no less interested well those unaware they researchers directly never something explicitly communicated me during school. also believe voluntary nature typical reduces diversity inclusivity involved. As usually work top studies, cannot offer unpaid hours beyond curriculum juggling part-time employment family responsibilities inherently disadvantaged. given work, indicating form employment. Additionally, clear structure ensures continued accountability partners. Where might otherwise join halfway largely follow supervisors’ instructions without defined goals outset, importantly opinion crafting direction together. includes deciding desired outputs, deadlines meet, ensuring delegation opposed predominantly assigning supervising students’ didactic fashion. Finally, pertain education, shaping chances addressing needs long run. Students ideally positioned reflect undergraduate such aims improve. They uniquely situated gather feedback communicate openly peers. sole interviewer, able relate equals, reducing likelihood them catering what believed wanted hear. Indeed, later remarked how frank recounting experiences. Ultimately, enlightened do rightly processes. perhaps most importantly, alternative nuanced perspective into research—the equality provided, afforded student–supervisor relationship. Crucially, these issues persist clarified exactly inclusive fair relationships like graduate evolve navigating working relationships. Going forwards, offers many benefits outcomes likely better engagement feedback. therefore fully advocate introduction programs universities. Being