Session Outline

Creating a sense of belonging and mattering is central to student success in higher education. Academic tutors and advisors are uniquely positioned to foster these qualities through intentional communication strategies that promote inclusivity, psychological safety, and collaborative problem-solving. This interactive workshop introduces Cognitive Strategies of Compassionate Communication (CSCC), a practical framework designed to enhance effective dialogue, build confidence, and strengthen academic communities.

The session begins with a Fishbowl exercise, where participants share their roles, institutions, and the challenges they encounter in tutoring and advising. Through open discussion, attendees identify common issues and collaboratively explore strategies to address them. Using LEGO building as a metaphor, participants visually represent these challenges, encouraging creativity and reflective dialogue.

Next, the workshop delves into how our brains process communication and stress, highlighting the cognitive underpinnings of compassion (The compassionate Mond Foundation, Gilbert, 2016) and its impact on engagement, building trust, learning and social experiences. This theoretical foundation sets the stage for hands-on practice with CSCC techniques, including active listening, inclusive body language, validating contributions, and managing group dynamics. Participants then apply these strategies during a second LEGO-building activity, where they co-create solutions and recommend short-, medium-, and long-term approaches to the identified challenges.

The session concludes by building a Community of Practice, encouraging ongoing collaboration through monthly meetings focused on developmental opportunities and continued application of CSCC in tutoring and advising contexts. A speed meet activity wraps up the workshop, reinforcing networking and peer support.

By the end of this participatory session, attendees will identify the cognitive principles behind compassionate communication; Gain practical tools to foster inclusivity, psychological safety, and resilience in academic advising and tutoring; Develop actionable strategies for enhancing student belonging and mattering; Leave with a roadmap for sustaining these practices through collaborative networks.

This workshop offers a dynamic, experiential approach to professional development, equipping tutors and advisors with evidence-based techniques that transform routine interactions into meaningful, empowering experiences for students.

Workshop Agenda

1. Welcome & Introduction

Brief overview of UKAT theme: Belonging and Mattering

Explaining workshop objectives: introducing Cognitive Strategies of Compassionate Communication (CSCC)

Outlining session flow and expected outcomes

2. Fishbowl Exercise – Sharing Experiences

Activity:

Participants introduce themselves (name, role, university)

Discuss challenges and difficulties in tutoring/advising

Creative Task: Build a LEGO model representing challenges/issues (LEGO will be provided by the facilitator)

Purpose: To encourage openness, reflection, and peer learning

3. Understanding How Our Brains Work

Short presentation on:

Cognitive processes in communication

Why compassion matters for psychological safety and engagement

Linking theory to practice

4. Practical CSCC Techniques

Demonstrating key strategies and role-play examples

5. LEGO Building with CSCC in Action

Activity:

Apply CSCC while discussing and building LEGO models

Explore strategies currently used and recommend short-, medium-, and long-term strategies for challenges

Practice inclusive behaviours and gratitude

6. Building a Community of Practice

Discuss sustaining CSCC beyond the workshop

Propose monthly meetings for sharing experiences and development

7. Speed Meet Networking

Quick rotations for participants to connect and share key takeaways

Reinforce sense of belonging and collaboration

8. Wrap-Up & Reflection

Summarize key insights

Invite feedback and next steps

Learning Outcomes

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