Enhancing education through dialogue and partnership: the pilot of a Student Education Panel

Abstract

The Student Education Panel pilot at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) was developed during the summer months of 2020 in partnership between the Eden Centre for Education Enhancement and the LSE Students’ Union (LSESU). Set against the backdrop of historically weak but markedly improving levels of student satisfaction in the university, as well as sector-wide challenges around inequality and student voice during the pandemic, it sought to engage students from diverse backgrounds in education enhancement. In the 2020/21 academic year, 50 Student Education Panellists met once per term to discuss a specific education-related topic, question or proposal. The aim was that the panel would provide an institution-level platform from which students could express their varied personal experiences, engage in dialogue with educators and leaders, and co-create enhancements. This case study will explore the motivations for developing this form of partnership, and its impact on participants’ perceptions of student voice and learning community. It will also critically reflect on our experiences of the pilot, to inform future developments.