Enhancing Student-Staff Engagement Through Experience Design

Faiza Iftikhar (Learning Design Agency)

Project overview

In traditional education, engagement is often one-sided, focusing on students' participation with little emphasis on student-staff interactions. My project aims to fill this gap by fostering deeper, more meaningful connections between students and staff, promoting mutual understanding and empathy. It takes a novel approach by using an Experience Design Framework, a methodology commonly applied in design disciplines to create meaningful, human-centered interactions. The aim is to shift the focus from engagement being perceived solely as a student responsibility to fostering a reciprocal, people-centered approach using design tools. Ultimately, this project aims to address key barriers to engagement in higher education, promoting a more inclusive and responsive academic experience.

The research approach

My fellowship will employ a variety of research methods, combining qualitative and design-based approaches to gather rich, actionable insights. Specifically, I will use Research-through-Design (RtD), Applied Research, and Participatory Action Research (PAR) as the primary methodologies. These will be implemented through workshops designed to foster interaction and reflection among participants. During the workshops, I will use tools such as cultural probes, along with self-evaluative methods like questionnaires or diaries, and observation techniques. Additionally, I will analyze artifacts created by participants, while continuous feedback loops will ensure that the framework evolves, remaining adaptable and relevant to the specific context.

If you would like to find out more about the project contact Faiza Iftikhar

Each fellowship has a project sponsor that helps the fellows achieve impact across the institution. The sponsor for this fellowship is James Pickering

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Project start date: September 2024