Session Outline

In the white paper From Support to Success: Building Academic Support Systems Around Students (McVitty and Maxwell, 2024), Wonkhe, Kortext, and Solutionpath propose a tripartite model of student academic support, comprising people, data, and theory. The authors argue that all three elements are essential for an impactful approach to student support. Moreover, the interactions between these elements reveal the system's efficacy and offer opportunities for continuous improvement.

During this workshop, a participating institution will explore how this data-people-theory model applies at their university. The case study examines how student engagement analytics democratise and distribute relevant data to frontline student support staff, aiding them in advising activities aligned with institutional goals for student success.

Following the case study, participants will reflect on how the model applies to their settings, identifying synergies, good practice, and areas for enhancement. Recognizing the value participants place on good academic support, the session will explore how they can leverage their influence to effect change in their contexts. The session will consider formal and informal strategies to build momentum, aiming to mainstream niche pockets of good practice across the university.

The session will conclude with a collaborative discussion on shifting the narrative from 'support' to 'success’, in line with regulatory requirements in England for universities to ensure successful outcomes for all students. This shift mirrors professional sports, where elite athletes are supported by teams of coaches focusing on different performance aspects.

Participants will be invited to share their experiences with the model at their institutions, aiming to publish a follow-up overview of these experiences and findings.

Learning Outcomes

Bibliography