Student Voice Week got off to a flying start on Saturday with a really informative opening session looking at what was coming up in the week ahead and inviting students to ask questions or share views about what they were looking forward to.

Vice President for Engagement at the Students Association Fanni Zombor welcomed staff from across the University to discuss their planned sessions.

Andrew Potter from the Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics talked about the Faculty’s approach to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion highlighting sessions for women and non-binary students, and on decolonising the mathematics curriculum. He also had a go at demystifying scholarship – and the ways in which students can get involved with educational research – which will be the focus of a conference at 19:00 on Wednesday 17 November.

Helen Kaye from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences invited students to attend the coffee mornings being hosted by each of the Schools in the Faculty as a really good opportunity to meet and talk with other students and staff in an informal environment. She also encouraged students to participate in a really exciting opportunity submit artistic contributions on the topic of ‘my student experience’ to be published in an online gallery.

Alayla Castle-Herbert from the OU in Wales introduced the sessions being hosted for students in Wales, in particular noting a session for students who speak or are learning Welsh.

Natasha Rear from the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies introduced students to some of the sessions available from next steps for Health and Social Care students to support for students from diverse backgrounds to thinking about peer coaching and skills for employability.

Rob Tumilty from the Faculty of Business and Law also highlighted a range of formal and informal sessions ranging from Equality, Diversity and Inclusion to scholarship, noting how much staff really appreciate the opportunity to talk to students about how best to improve the student experience.

FinallyEmily Cox from the OU Students Association took students through the wide range of events being offered which are directly led by students and encouraged students to also join in with the chat on the student forum to talk about any sessions attended or ask any questions about Student Voice.

It was a great way to start the week and the OU’s Student Voice team looks forward to seeing more students at the closing session to find out how you got on with Student Voice Week!