Cycle 5 of the APP Participatory Action Research Project (2023-24)
Building on the rich qualitative data generated by our student co-researchers over the past four years, we recognise that context is deeply important for the recommendations coming out of this research to be actionable. This year, therefore, we have sought to build closer collaborations with colleagues across the collegiate University.
We have formed six staff-student teams to engage further with one or more of the recommendations for action made by our previous student co-researchers. These teams are considering how the recommendations might be implemented practically in local course teams, department or College contexts, as well as in broader University initiatives.
Initial findings are expected to be disseminated from Michaelmas Term 2024.
Strand A: Black British students
A1 objective: Collating anti-racism initiatives across the collegiate University
University-wide
Research Question 1: What are some examples of anti-racism initiatives across the collegiate University?
Research Question 2: What do students and staff consider to be the most effective or impactful within these initiatives?
A2 objective: Building a decolonisation community of practice
University-wide
Research Question 1: How is 'decolonisation' understood across the collegiate University?
Research Question 2: What are different practices of decolonisation that are happening across the collegiate University?
A3 objective: Enhancing first-year transition for Black students
Faculty of Law
Research Question: What are the enabling initiatives during first-year transition to support student engagement with the Law Tripos?
Strand B: Students with declared mental health conditions
B1 objective: Supporting Clinical Medicine students with SpLD and neurodiversity
School of Clinical Medicine
Research Question 1: What are students' perspectives and experiences of seeking a diagnosis of neurodivergence and/or SpLD ('specific learning difficulty')?
Research Question 2: What are the challenges encountered by students in seeking a diagnosis of neurodivergence and/or SpLD?
B2 objective: Improving inclusive practice through course administration
Department of Psychology
Research Question 1: How has student experience changed after the departmental collation of SSDs (Student Support Documents)?
Research Question 2: To what extent have staff and students found the SSD-related adjustments useful?
B3 objective: Enhancing targeted mental health support for Black students
University-wide
Research Question: What are the experiences of Black students in engaging with mental health initiatives offered across the University?