Through Student Eyes: Why the Student Voice Matters

Radka Newton

Working with our partner institutions—both across the UK and globally—has been an integral part of my role since I joined Lancaster University in 2007. From my early days developing international partnerships, these visits have always been about more than formal agreements; they are about building meaningful, high-quality alliances. They allow us to better understand one another, appreciate different institutional contexts, and identify mutually beneficial ways of working together—all with the shared goal of enhancing the experience of the students who ultimately earn Lancaster University degrees.

Last week’s visit to our partner institution, UA92, was a particularly rewarding example of this in action. As a young and agile university, UA92 is redefining access to higher education—opening doors for students who may not have otherwise considered university, while placing strong emphasis on both professional and personal development alongside academic study.

What made this visit especially impactful, however, was the opportunity to experience it through a student lens. I was joined by James, our Lancaster University Management School student representative, a second-year Accounting and Finance student who represents over 4000 undergraduate students. James brought a fresh and insightful perspective to the visit—observing, questioning, and reflecting in ways that added real depth to our engagement with UA92. His ability to compare and contrast the student experience, and to connect with the student community there, brought the partnership to life in a way that only a student voice can.

This blog not only reflects on the visit itself but also serves as a bridge to James’s own reflections. His perspective offers an honest and thoughtful account of the day—highlighting both his learning and the ways in which the experience has shaped his personal and professional ambitions. I hope you enjoy reading his insights as much as I valued sharing this experience alongside him.

Reflecting on My Recent Experience Reviewing UA92

James Taylor

Just taking the time to reflect on the recent opportunity I had to participate in the five-year periodic review of UA92, one of Lancaster University’s collaborative partners.

This opportunity granted me a rare, first hand look into the strategic operations of a modern, forward thinking higher education institution. It was a privilege to work alongside senior university leaders, academics and professional services staff, from both Lancaster University and other institutions, contributing to a process designed to shape long term education quality, ensure a strong student experience and positive graduate outcomes.

The reviews preparation alone was a masterclass in analytical thinking. I worked through a substantial set of documents, including self evaluation reports, statistical evidence, institutional strategies, and proposals for future development.

This required not only attention to detail but the ability to interpret complex data, cross reference multiple sources, and evaluate current operations and future growth plans.

It has strengthened my data analysis, statistical interpretation, critical evaluation, and auditing skills, all of which are highly demanded and transferable across sectors.

The review day started by catching the 6am train from North Wales to Manchester Piccadilly, I spent the journey completing a final review of the documentation before meeting the rest of the team.

Throughout the day, I engaged with a range of stakeholders including, senior leaders, academic staff, professional services teams, and students. These conversations provided rich insight into organisational culture, operational challenges, and the strategic ambition of a growing the institution. I appreciated the passion that came from the higher education staff and the high level of engagement from students, clearly built on a mutual respect and love of what UA92 offers.

The experience sharpened several of my core professional competencies, including:

• Professional communication and the ability to navigate high level discussions.
• Teamworking and collaboration with colleagues from across Lancaster University.
• Comparability and benchmarking skills when evaluating institutional performance.
• Understanding of higher education, student markets, demographics, and growth opportunities.
• Strategic thinking, particularly around expansion, innovation, and partnership development.

Overall, the review process deepened my understanding of how universities operate at a strategic level and reinforced the importance of evidence based decision making.

It was an invaluable opportunity to apply and expand my analytical, interpersonal, and organisational skills and one that will continue to shape my approach to leadership, governance, and professional practice.

I hope to be given the opportunity to revisit such an innovative and caring higher education institution in the future, and am grateful to have been able to connect with higher education professionals and students from across the sector.

Related Blogs

• 

  Entering the World of Visual Pedagogy: An Economist's Crash Course

• 

  From Reflection to Action: Cultivating a Culture of Scholarly Innovation in Management Education

• 

  Marketers help children take first design steps at Campus in the City

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed by our bloggers and those providing comments are personal, and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of Lancaster University. Responsibility for the accuracy of any of the information contained within blog posts belongs to the blogger.