Students as Partners in Teaching and Learning
The Student as Partners in Teaching and Learning initiative aims to create a student-centred culture and partnership approach to teaching and learning development and enhancement. “Students as Partners” in higher education re-envisions students and staff as active collaborators in teaching and learning.
The initiative, facilitated by UCD Teaching & Learning in partnership with UCD Students' Union, seeks to move beyond capturing the “student voice” and student representation towards achieving meaningful student engagement. It focuses on developing a two-way dialogue between staff and students in relation to teaching and learning activities complementing other student engagement practices across the University. Student Partners in Teaching and Learning work collaboratively with members of the UCD Teaching & Learning team on a range of activities, enabling them to bring their perspectives and lived learning experiences to support work activities led by the unit.
Aims
The overarching aim of the Student Partners in Teaching and Learning initiative is to create opportunities for students to engage in educational development and enhancement activities, and further support student-centred approaches to teaching and learning at UCD. The initiative will focus on developing a two-way learning and teaching dialogue between staff and students in relation to T&L development and enhancements. More specifically the initiative aims to enhance:
- student and staff relationships through collaborative working
- sharing of knowledge and experiences between students and staff and between students and students
- the provision of student perspective on enhancements of learning and teaching
- the transferable skills of students
- the sense of belonging by students within the UCD community
Guiding Principles
- The values of trust and respect are central to developing a meaningful partnership where students and staff contributions are given equal consideration.
- It is recognised that students and staff bring different perspectives and expertise to the partnership and can learn from each other through meaningful collaboration.
- Partnerships are inclusive and value the diverse and unique experiences, background and knowledge of all parties.
- It is important to ensure clarity around the role of the different parties and these are clearly stated and understood.
- Staff and students will work collaboratively and share responsibility for the development and implementation of T&L activities.
- The initiative will be flexible and open to new ideas which can bring change and enhancement to teaching and learning initiatives.
Meet our Student Partners
Nima Ashour
MSc Equality Studies
Nima is a master’s student in Equality Studies at University College Dublin. Originally from Gaza, she holds a BA in English Language and its Teaching Methods. Before joining UCD, Nima worked for 4 years as an English teacher with UNRWA, where she led creative student initiatives and community engagement projects that promoted inclusion, resilience, and belonging. She also coordinated academic programs for students with disabilities and facilitated intercultural dialogue sessions connecting learners across different countries. As a Student Partner in Teaching and Learning, Nima is passionate about fostering inclusive, student centred approaches that value diversity and collaboration. She hopes to contribute to strengthening connections between students and staff, supporting meaningful dialogue, and enhancing the overall learning experience at UCD.
Wayne Tristan Belen
BSc Computational Social Science
Wayne is a final-year BSc Computational Social Science student. His background blends the study of computing, data science and social phenomena which offers a unique perspective on pressing issues like the relationship between humans, machines and GenAI. His work history includes interning at VHI, where he gained practical knowledge of AI systems and won an internal competition of best case-use of GenAI in the workplace. He is the Chairperson for the UCD French Society, leading projects with the Embassy of France and other Francophone organisations to promote French culture and language learning to students through social events. Wayne's passion for the human side of science and technology and event planning serves as an anchor for joining the Student as Partners in Teaching and Learning.
June Polgolla
BSc Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
June is a final-year Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences student at UCD, born and raised in Dublin, specialising in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Alongside her studies, June has gained international exposure through her internships in Brussels and London, where she developed strong research, communication, and problem-solving skills. Through her experiences as President of the UCD Biological Society, Careers Ambassador, and Peer Mentor, she has developed strong communication and organisational skills and has seen the value of collaboration in creating meaningful change. She is excited to contribute to projects that make learning at UCD more engaging, supportive, and effective for all students. June became a Student Partner in Teaching and Learning to strengthen connections between students and staff and to bring the student perspective into the development of resources and initiatives that improve the learning experience at UCD.
Oakley Wisniewska
BA English with Creative Writing
Oakley is a final-year English with Creative Writing undergraduate student. Born and raised in Poland, Oakley had the chance to learn in different educational contexts, from the Polish national curriculum to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Throughout their time at UCD, they further expanded their perspectives by taking part in academic mentoring, student society committees, as well as student-staff initiatives like the “Students as Champions of Academic Integrity” SATLE project. They have also undertaken intern positions in publishing and journalism. These experiences not only developed their critical thinking, communication, and organisational skills, but also cemented their belief in more innovative, student-oriented approaches to teaching and learning. As a Student Partner, Oakley hopes to bring their passion, knowledge, and international perspective to foster a friendly learning environment at UCD, starting from the students’ very first day at the university.
Previous Students as Partners
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Kaila GrahamMaster of Library and Information Studies |
Niall DalyMSc in Management Consultancy |
Sabina AdrianiMSc in European Governance |
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Staffin Thomas ShabuMSc in Business Analytics |
Ananya SinghMA in Education |
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Student Partner Activies 2024/25
Active and Collaborative Learning Resource Development
Student Partner: Ananya Singh | Staff: Geraldine O’Neill
- ‘Grand’ Designs for Collaborative, Group and Team Work: Contribution to web content
- Active and Collaborative Learning: Interview with staff (Dr Anshu Suri)
- Active and Collaborative Learning: Interview with UCD staff (Nicola Dervan)
- Active and Collaborative Learning: Interview with UCD staff (Dr Mark Pickering)
- Active and Collaborative Learning: Interview with UCD staff (Associate Professor Neal Murphy)
Student Partners: Staffin Thomas Shabu, Kaila Graham | Staff: Geraldine O’Neill
- Active and Collaborative Learning Spaces: Student advice for students webpage: Interviewed UCD students and contribution to the content
- Active and Collaborative Learning Spaces: Student advice for students VIDEO conversation
Student Partner: Kaila Graham | Staff: Geraldine O’Neill
Teaching and Learning Conversations Podcast
Student Partner: Sabina Adriani | Staff: Leigh Wolf
Student Voice Symposium Video Set
Student Partners: Sabina Adriani, Niall Daly | Staff: David Jennings
- Project overview: Video Brief; Videos: Future Word, AI reflections, Assessment Ideals
Exploring Generative AI (GenAI) tools for Learning
Student Partners: Sabina Adriani, Staffin Thomas Shabu, Niall Daly | Staff: Leone Gately, Leigh Wolf
Teaching Toolkit Thursdays
Student Partners: Staffin Thomas Shabu, Kaila Graham | Staff: Leigh Wolf, David Jennings
HybridE Dynamic Handbook Preparation
Student Partners: Staffin Thomas Shabu, Niall Daly | Staff: David Jennings
- Data sets created from project outputs, including: Technology Glossary, Case Study analysis
Reflecting and Sharing Student and Staff Partnership Experiences
Student Partners: Sabina Adriani, Staffin Thomas Shabu, Kaila Graham, Ananya Singh | Staff: Leone Gately, Geraldine O’Neill
- ‘Reflecting Together: The value of a structured reflective process in a student-staff partnership initiative’ This paper is being co-presented at the 12th Change Agents' Network (CAN) Conference: The impact of student–staff partnerships on learning in an ever changing higher education environment, University of Plymouth, UK. (27th May 2025)
Student-Led Teaching and Learning Activity
Student Partners: Kaila Graham, Staffin Thomas Shabu, Sabina Adriani | Staff: Leone Gately
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Prachi GargMSc Human Computer Interaction |
Myia HarringtonBSc Social Sciences |
Alice O'DonnellMA in International War Studies |
Rida SayyedahBA in English and Creative Writing |
Student Partner Activies 2023/24
Student Partner: Myia Harrington | Staff: Geraldine O’Neill
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Co-creation of the guide: Empowering Students Through Assessment: Snapshot of the Student Voice (part of Inclusive Assessment Project)
Student Partners: Prachi Garg, Rida Sayyedah | Staff: Leigh Wolf
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Co-creation of student guide: Student Survival Guide for Managing Assessment Load (part of Inclusive Assessment Project)
Student Partners: Prachi Garg, Myia Harrington | Staff: Leigh Wolf
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Student Voices Podcast Series on Generative Artificial Intelligence (as part of the Teaching and Learning Conversations Series)
Student Partner: Alice O’Donnell | Staff: Leigh Wolf, David Jennings
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Webinar presenter to Teaching Toolkit Thursday Series - Supporting Student Learning
Student Partner: Rida Sayyedah | Staff: David Jennings
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Development of a self-evaluation tool (part of Inclusive Assessment Project)
Student Partners: Alice O’Donnell, Prachi Garg | Staff: David Jennings
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Co-creation of resource: Assessment maps; addressing key issues (part of Inclusive Assessment Project)
Student Partners: Prachi Garg, Myia Harrington, Alice O’Donnell, Rida Sayyedah | Staff: Aine Galvin
- Midterm Reviewers of SATLE Funded Projects
Student Partners: Myia Harrington, Alice O’Donnell | Staff: Leone Gately
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Exploring Generative AI (GenAI) tools for Learning (part of the Teaching and Learning Conversations Series)
Student Partner: Rida Sayyedah | Staff: Geraldine O’Neill
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Co-creation of student guide: Enhancing the Student Role in Mastering Feedback
Student Partner: Prachi Garg | Staff: Leone Gately
- TEL All Series Organisation Committee Member
Student Partners: Prachi Garg, Myia Harrington, Alice O’Donnell, Rida Sayyedah | Staff: Aine Galvin, Leone Gately, Geraldine O’Neill
- Student-Led Teaching and Learning Activity - Creation of Guide for Faculty:
Students’ Perspectives on Group Work
Learn More
- UCD Student Partners in Teaching and Learning Role
- Review the activities of the previous cohorts of Students as Partners
- The initiative team consists of staff from UCD T&L (Leone Gately & Sheena Hyland) and the UCDSU Education Officer who will oversee the initiative design, implementation and evaluation in the academic year 2025/26.
- For further information please contact the initiative lead:
Leone Gately, Educational Technology Coordinator, UCD Teaching & Learning: leone.gately@ucd.ie
References
- Mercer-Mapstone, L., Dvorakova, S. L., Matthews, K. E., Abbot, S., Cheng, B., Felten, P., Knorr, K., Marquis, E., Shammas, R., & Swaim, K. (2017). A Systematic Literature Review of Students as Partners in Higher Education. International Journal for Students As Partners, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.15173/ijsap.v1i1.3119
