The Student Panel

The student panel exists to challenge and improve the University of Reading by putting student voice at the centre of any decisions and changes we make. To achieve this, the panel will be open, transparent, and inclusive of the diverse voices and perspectives of the panel members and the wider student community. Our approach is underpinned by the UoR Principles of Partnership and by working collaboratively with students in this institution-level partnership, we strengthen our academic community.

Road to Unity: UoR Student-led Zine

This series of zines explores the radical potential of student partnerships and zines in the inclusive teaching and learning space. All works were created by students on the Student Panel and Inclusion Consultants scheme in partnership with colleagues at the University of Reading.

Issue 1 Decolonising the Curriculum

Issue 2 Belonging and Community

Issue 3 Diversity and Inclusion

Why do we need a Student Panel?

The Student Panel allows us to;

Understand the experiences and needs of our students by working collaboratively
Engage with a diverse range of students and proactively reach out to those who are often underrepresented, amplifying the voices of those who go unheard
Embed student voice at an institutional level and identify it's impact on our community
Collect meaningful and transparent feedback to influence decisions and future ideas at the university

Who are The Student Panel?

Student Panel is made up of a diverse team of 50 students, representing all subject-areas, including all years and levels of study (from Foundation level to PhD), and a diversity of cultures, backgrounds, and experiences at the University of Reading.

We aim to engage a diverse range of students, to take an active role in the university community, and amplify the voices of those who go unheard. To add diversity of thought, reflection, and challenge to our Panel, each Student Panellist will bring their own views and experiences to discussions, which will be respected, encouraged and taken into account to shape the decisions we make. Our students' creativity and expertise are essential, and we need our students to help us shape the UoR experience.

We are particularly interested to engage students from an underrepresented community – this could include international students, Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic students, Postgraduate students, commuter students, those who are the first in their family to attend university, disabled students, care leavers or estranged students.

What does the The Student Panel do?

The Student Panel will meet 3 times across the academic year.

The team of Student Panellists engage in a range of activities which may include online discussions, questionnaires, polls, focus groups, creative writing tasks and reflective accounts. The Student Panel have a key role to play in supporting the creation of operational outputs, including designing institutional assessment strategies, proposals for restructuring the academic year and developing key principles for our approach to blended learning.

The Student Panel engage with a range of teaching and learning themes across the academic year, which feed into key projects and strategic priorities for the University of Reading. The Student Panel have discussed, provided personal reflections, and helped to shape the direction of our thinking as an institution on the following themes;