The second annual UWS Student Union Student Partnership Conference 2026, held on Wednesday 28th January 2026, brought together students and staff to reflect on how genuine collaboration shapes learning, community, and institutional improvement at UWS. Key conversations focused on the opportunities of generative AI, the importance of belonging, and how student voice can be strengthened through more transparent and inclusive partnership practices.
You can view the Student Partnership Conference 2026 Programme here: Student Partnership Conference 2026 Programme
Opening Address: Professor Rachel Cragg, UWS Pro-Vice-Chancellor Learning, Teaching and Student Success and Timiebi Oyinpere, UWS Student Union Vice President Education
Professor Rachel Cragg opened the Student Partnership Conference by emphasising that true partnership at UWS is defined by working with students rather than doing things to or for them. She highlighted the university’s recent success in the Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review, where UWS achieved the highest possible rating of Effective.
The review recognised six areas of good practice, including: UWS’s student‑led response to the 2023 cyber‑attack, the institution’s data‑informed curriculum approach, strong work‑related learning, robust staff development, early support for at‑risk students, and strategic use of data to drive enhancement — all demonstrating UWS’s commitment to placing student experience at its core.
Professor Rachel Cragg also outlined three recommendations arising from the Review that will shape the university’s partnership priorities going forward. These include: improving the consistency of communication with students, strengthening engagement and support for student representatives, especially at Divisional level, and building on UWS's strong foundation of student voice to embed a culture of genuine partnership at every level of the institution
Delegates were invited to reflect on how these priorities align with the conference themes of AI, belonging, and student voice, and to consider how their own roles, whether staff or student, can contribute to enhancing the student experience.
You can view Prof. Rachel Craggs presentation slides here: Opening address - Prof. Rachel Cragg
You can watch the full opening address here:
Keynote Address: "Maximising Student Success: Partnership, Innovation, and Belonging" - Jack Hogan, Lecturer in Academic Practice, AbLE Academy, Abertay University
Jack Hogan is a Lecturer in Academic Practice in the Abertay Learning Enhancement (AbLE) Academy. His current focus is around personalised learning, diagnostics and how microcredentials can be used to support student transitions. Jack leads the Abertay Welcome Week and contributes to staff development activities. His pedagogic research interests include the first-year student experience, transitions, retention, and employability. Jack is a member of the European First Year Experience International Committee.
In this keynote address, Jack shares his journey from an accidental university applicant to academic practitioner who is dedicated to student partnership, highlighting how collaborative, student‑centred practice shaped both his personal development and institutional change.
A major focus of the keynote was the design and ongoing redevelopment of Abertay’s “My Success” micro‑credentials highlighting how these modules were co‑constructed with students, driven by student insights, and continually refined through module assistant feedback and student association leadership.
Jack concluded by stressing the need for institutions to cultivate shared vision, coordinated partnership structures, and empowered student–staff teams, and by posing critical questions about how universities capture learning, sustain momentum, and create communities where partnership is genuinely embedded at all levels.
You can view Jack Hogans presentation here: Keynote Address - Jack Hogan
You can watch the full keynote address here:
Panel Discussion: "The Future of Student Success: Technology, Community, and Voice"
Panel members:
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Student Representative - Christopher Anderson-Monaghan, Sports Development, UWS School of Health and Life Science.
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Professional Services Staff: Dr Kevin Wilson, Lecturer (Learning Futures), Learning Transformation
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External Partner: Amy Monks, Development Consultant, SPARQS
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Student Union Staff: Sinead Daly, UWS Student Union Chief Executive
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Academic Staff: Dr Christopher O’Donnell, Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching, UWS School of Education and Social Science
The panel highlighted that Generative AI offers a unique moment where students and staff are learning alongside one another, creating new opportunities for shared development in assessment, digital literacy, and responsible use. While concerns around academic integrity and student over‑reliance were acknowledged, speakers emphasised that ethical and critical engagement with AI must be supported through inclusive, co‑created guidance and curriculum design.
On Community and Belonging, the discussion emphasised the importance of societies, sports, programme‑level engagement, and peer networks in helping students feel connected, particularly those balancing work, family, and commuting. Practical, student‑centred actions such as tailored timetabling, supportive academic communities, and co‑curricular opportunities play a key role in fostering a sense of confidence and inclusion across the university.
The theme of Student Voice and Partnership focused on moving beyond consultation toward meaningful co‑creation. Barriers such as time constraints, dispersed campuses, and formal committee structures were recognised, alongside the need for more flexible opportunities for students to contribute. The panel stressed that showing how feedback leads to change is essential to building trust and encouraging wider engagement in shaping the university experience
You can watch the full panel discussion here:
Best Practices Exploration: "What Works: Partnership Success Stories” - Mark Carey, Programme Leader, Computer Animation Arts and Caitlin Reid, Graduate, Computer Animation Arts 2025
Mark Carey and graduate Caitlin Reid highlight how genuine staff student partnership underpins the Computer Animation Arts programme. They emphasise an open, informal culture that encourages students to share feedback, which directly informs changes to teaching, assessment, welfare visibility, and the overall learning environment.
They also showcase how collaboration extends beyond the classroom through co‑curricular and extra-curricular activities such as peer‑reviews, industry events, interdisciplinary projects, and large-scale creative initiatives. These experiences help students build confidence, community, and professional readiness, demonstrating the impact of partnership in practice.
You can view Mark and Caitlins presentation here: Best Practice Exploration - Mark Carey and Caitlin Reid
You can watch their full presentation here:
Parallel Workshop Sessions:
- Track A: Generative AI for Student Success:
- This session explored how students and staff interpret and use generative AI in assessments, using real‑world scenarios to highlight differences in understanding, unclear guidance, and the need for more consistent support. Discussion centred on improving clarity in assessment instructions, increasing awareness of university‑wide policies, and strengthening dialogue so staff and students can navigate rapidly evolving AI tools together. You can view the presentation from this workshop here: GenAI for Student Success slides
- Track B: Community and Belonging Partnerships:
- This workshop emphasised the essential role of student societies in building confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging. Society leaders shared experiences of starting and sustaining groups, while participants discussed how supportive, flexible staff partnerships help students take initiative and develop key personal skills. The session reinforced that community building is foundational to student wellbeing and academic success.
- Track C: Amplifying Student Voice:
- Workshop 1 - Zine Making: Using creative zine‑making, this workshop demonstrated how informal, hands‑on activities can empower students to express their experiences and build confidence. Participants learned simple techniques before creating their own zines, highlighting how relaxed, alternative environments can help students engage differently and more comfortably in student‑staff partnerships. You can view the presentation from this workshop here: UWS Library Zine Making slides
- Workshop 2 - Closing the Feedback Loop: This session examined how student‑staff liaison groups gather and act on student feedback, noting inconsistencies in processes, responsibility, and communication across programmes. Participants discussed the need for clearer tracking systems, more transparent follow‑up with students, and tailored approaches that fit different class contexts. The workshop stressed that closing the feedback loop is vital for students feeling heard and for strengthening enhancement practices across the university.
You can watch the full workshop feedback session here:
Closing remarks: Professor James Miller, UWS Principal and Vice Chancellor
Professor James Millar highlighted the vital role of partnership in celebrating the University’s recent top QAA rating emphasising that such recognition is only possible through genuine collaboration and the active contribution of students.
Acknowledging the valuable insights shared throughout the conference, particularly around AI, student belonging, and the student voice, he emphasised how these reflections will help shape future improvements. Professor James Millar concluded by outlining three priorities moving forward: strengthening partnership working; using the day’s discussions to inform the next Student Partnership Agreement; and embedding Review recommendations on communication and representation.
Professor Millar closed the Partnership Conference by thanking all contributors, giving special recognition to the Vice President, Timiebi Oyinpere, for establishing the Student Partnership Conference which he described as a lasting legacy.
You can watch Professor Millars full closing speech here:
A full report and resources from the Conference will be posted on this page in due course.
You have any questions regarding the Conference, please contact the Vice President Education, Timiebi Oyinpere on UnionVPE@uws.ac.uk
You can view highlights from the Student Partnership Conference 2025 here - Student Partnership Conference 2025 - Resources