Making it up as we went along - co-creating a cross-institution curriculum design partnership

Abstract

This article charts the start of a new staff student partnership developed within an institution-wide project to embed flexible community-created principles of curriculum design. Paid student consultants worked with academic developers to understand the potential of the new role and design effective induction practices for future recruits.  It explores written and verbal reflections of those involved, charting growing confidence and trust in the collaboration and the impact of a range of activities from a conversational first meeting, through shared reflection, to attendance at staff workshops and co-presentation at a sector conference. The consultants offer clear advice to their successors to be confident that their perspective is needed, will be valued and can help create a more effective learning experience for everyone. Staff reflect on lessons learned about the challenges of establishing such new roles in an institution already committed to partnership and where nevertheless a range of perceptions persist about what it means to work in this way.