StudentSurvey.ie Practitioners Forum 2022

The StudentSurvey.ie Practitioners Forum returns this June, hosted in the O’Donoghue Centre by the Atlantic Technological University and the National University of Ireland, Galway.

The Practitioners Forum is an opportunity for staff and students involved with StudentSurvey.ie and PGR StudentSurvey.ie to meet and develop the project collectively. This one-day forum will involve an active and engaged examination of many aspects of StudentSurvey.ie, including student partnership, data analysis solutions, and PGR StudentSurvey.ie. 

Guest speakers will include Dr Orla Flynn (President of ATU), Prof Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh (President of NUI, Galway), Prof Hamish Coates (Tsinghua University Institute of Education and editor of Global Student Engagement), and Megan O'Connor (Vice President for Academic Affairs, Union of Students in Ireland). Guest facilitators will lead all workshops, and there will be presentations from participating HEIs. 

The session on Multiple Perspectives on Student Engagement will include presentations from participating HEIs and stakeholder organisations.

Do you have an example of innovative and/ or effective practice from your use of StudentSurvey.ie and/ or PGR StudentSurvey.ie results?

Would you like to share your case studies from the StudentSurvey.ie Trends Over Time Research 2016-2021 further?
 

• The nature of the impact could be in any aspect of the student experience (undergrad and/ or postgrad).
• If possible, include insights into the strengths and challenges of initiatives as this would be valuable to colleagues seeking to achieve success or be inspired in similar endeavours in their own HEI/ organisation.
• Two options are available: A 10 minute presentation (including time for questions) OR a poster.

If you wish to participate, please contact siobhan@studentsurvey.ie before MONDAY 16 MAY. Please include a description of the success/ initiative/ development you wish to share, and your presentation modality preference.

The institutions/ organisations presenting (verbal presentation and posters) will be finalised no later than WEDNESDAY 18 MAY. 

All members of staff, faculty, management and students involved with StudentSurvey.ie and PGR StudentSurvey.ie are invited to attend. It is strongly recommended that all institutions are represented by at least one member of staff/ faculty for StudentSurvey.ie, at least one member of staff/ faculty for PGR StudentSurvey.ie (if applicable), and at least one student/ student representative. Representatives of stakeholder organisations are very welcome. 

These workshops present an opportunity to learn about, discuss and influence these data analysis solutions cross-sectorally. Facilitators will circulate through four breakout groups of attendees for 15 minutes a session. Each speaker will present a solution from the Analysis and Impact Group and the attendees will discuss its use and relevance in their own HEI.

This is not only for those directly involved in data analysis! It will help SU representatives understand and expand their role in analysis. It will help communications and marketing staff see the potential uses of the results in their own work. It will help senior management harness the available results into their decision-making and strategising. And even if your role in your HEI is not any of those listed, we will make sure you see the relevance and value of these solutions in making your work on StudentSurvey.ie easier. 

The solutions will be the:

StudentSurvey.ie Report Templates and Guide

Facilitated by Dr Jing Burgi-Tian, Institutional Research and Analysis Officer, DCU

Qualitative analysis results and next steps

Facilitated by Maura McGinn, Director of Institutional Research, UCD

Report automation tool

Facilitated by Dr Lydia Devenney, Teaching and Learning Postdoctoral Researcher, ATU

Data visualisations

Facilitated by Janice Lau, Senior Statistics Manager, HEA

The purpose of these workshops is to prompt creative and critical thinking about how to move forward with listening to students and to what they say through StudentSurvey.ie and PGR StudentSurvey.ie. Each workshop will last 35 minutes and attendees will have the opportunity to participate in two workshops. Expect lots of active participation, learning, possibly sharing your own experiences, and solving some problems. 

The objectives of the groups will vary, as some will invite open discussion, and some will focus on a specific problem. Shared goals will be agreed at the beginning of the session. The themes are:

StudentSurvey.ie lifecycle and strategy

Led by Lee O'Farrell (UCD), this session will require attendees to engage critically with the assumptions of the StudentSurvey.ie initiative. It will be facilitated by an external facilitator, but led by attendees' priorities as you consider the "bigger picture" of the purpose and impact of the project. 

Partnership

Led by Oisín Hassan (NStEP), this session will focus on getting institutional stakeholders (e.g. Programme Directors and Heads of School) interested in the survey results, and on creating meaningful staff-student partnerships.

Data analysis deep dive

This focused session will be led by Blaž Podobnik (MIC), who will delve into solutions such as the report automation tool. Attendees can can expect detailed engagement with the data for their own institution, and to leave with new resources and knowledge. Attendees will also be invited to share their thoughts on these tools and influence their next iterations.

Focus on PGR StudentSurvey.ie 

This session will be led by Dr Jennifer Brennan (THEA) and Dr Emer Cunningham (UCD). It will open a dedicated space to consider good practice in the use of PGR StudentSurvey.ie results. It will also focus on what is needed by practitioners to support the data analysis. It will give those working with PGR StudentSurvey.ie an opportunity to influence where the initiative goes next. 

There will be an opportunity at the end of the event for some informal reflections and a get together. This may be the first opportunity you've had to spend time in person with these colleagues since the Practitioners Forum in 2019 and we don't want that opportunity to pass us by... Expect lovely food and lively conversation before heading home after a busy and engaging day!

Location: An Púcán, Forster Street

This lively pub is very close to the train and bus station, so you can drop in for a bite to eat or a drink on your way there, even if you can't stay for long!

We will have an area booked and finger food will be served shortly after we arrive. 

Transportation to Galway

Bus - Very regular and reliable buses from Dublin and Cork with GoBus and Dublin, Limerick and Cork with Citylink.

Train - Train departing Dublin Heuston at 7.35am arrives at 10.06am, and 9.25am arrives at 11.52am

Train departing Limerick Colbert at 9.20am arrives at 11.13am

Taxis are available from outside the bus and train station, though the walk to the O'Donoghue Centre takes less than 15 minutes and is lovely. 

Parking

Parking on campus is limited. There is reasonably priced parking in the Galway Cathedral carpark, which is a convenient location for the O'Donoghue Centre. 

Hotels

The following hotels offer discounted rates for attendees: 
Nox Hotel,
Address: Headford Rd, Galway, H91 KX65
 
Galway Bay Hotel
Address: Salthill Road Lower, Upper Salthill, Galway, H91 W295
 
The Menlo Park Hotel
Address: Headford Road, Galway, H91 E98N
 
The Ardilaun Hotel
Address: Taylor's Hill Rd, Galway

Contact siobhan@studentsurvey.ie for more information on how to book. 

The Galmont is also a convenient hotel and can be booked directly with the hotel.