The University recently hosted a forum focuses on Student Success and Social Justice, for academics and staff members across the institution.
The occasion marked the first Learning and Teaching Forum of the 2023/24 academic year, titled "Social Justice and Student Success: Where Next?”. Over 80 members of staff attended the event, held in the University's new cutting-edge Skills and Simulation Suite located within the Science Centre at the Holloway Road Campus.
This event aimed to create cross-university dialogue, but also present an important opportunity forreflection on the impact of the University’s Education for Social Justice Framework (ESJF), now in its third year. The event was a fantastic opportunity to mark London Met’s excellent outcomes in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2023 and refreshed Student Success Strategy, all while setting eyes on the promising future. Social justice, compassion and inclusion remain the golden threads that are woven into London Met’s pedagogy and student experience, andthe history of this practice was at the forefront of discussions throughout the day.
During the Forum colleagues shared their experiences and explored University’s plans for student success and the Education for Social Justice Framework (ESJF). The Higher Education sector, more broadly, continues to grapple with the issue of differential outcomes between student groups at key points in the lifecycle: continuation, degree award and graduate destinations, and tackling this issue remains a top priority for London Met.
A shared mission
The Forum was opened by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Julie Hall. Professor Nona McDuff delivered an overview of the institution's ambitious and innovative Student Success Strategy. The Student Success Strategy comprises five key priorities: excellent student support, excellent academic operations, excellent learning environment, excellent teaching quality, and excellent graduate success, which remains underpinned by partnership with London Met’s diverse student body and collaboration with colleaguest.
Key insights were also shared by School ESJF Leads. Preetpal Kainth (SHSC) highlighted the need for a holistic approach and the opportunities ahead, while Jon Baldwin (AAD) shed light on the work around Education for Sustainable Development at the University.
There was also a presentation from senior colleagues from Claflin University, one of London Met’s HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) partners in the United States, in which Dr Mary M Williams and Dr Candice L Idlebird shared their extensive experiences of Social Justice philosophy and projects, with examples of innovative approaches on the ground extending into their local community. Notably, this includes students in first and second year being required to undertake community service, as key to ensuring that social justice remains the guiding principle of the institution.
Sharing insights and experience
A combined student and staff panel discussion provided an opportunity to explore the progress achieved through London Met’s ESJF ta series of provocations. One of the prominent findings that emerged was the satisfaction of participants in the development of the ESJF to embrace both staff and students, ensuring the whole University engaged with its value-led approach to learning and teaching.
The Framework and London Met’s commitment to social inclusion has mobilised students to become ambassadors and champions of inclusion and change, allowing their personal values to be applied to their academic experience and professionalcareers. The presentations and discussions resulted in staff finishing the day with a renewed sense of momentum, and a shared commitment to further build on what has been nurtured, under the ESJF 2.0.
Two further Forums will be held during the year, leading up to the annual Learning & Teaching Conference in June 2024, with the next scheduled for the 24th January with a focus on assessment. This series remains an important cross-institutional space to foreground some of the excellent work in areas relating to learning and teaching and creates a dedicated space to facilitate the sharing of effective practice whilst also bringing together our academic community. The Learning and Teaching Forums are organised by the University’s Centre for Teaching Enhancement.
London Metropolitan University's Work Based Learning Team organised the Online Business Start-Up Hub (OBSH) Black History Month Awards on October 26, as part of the institution's ongoing Black History 365 celebrations. The event aimed to recognise and honour 15 start-up organisations, primarily comprising social enterprises and charities, for their contributions to their communities.
At the ceremony Sarah Haid, Director of Better Safe Communities, presented some of the awards, having worked with hundreds of London Met students through the Uni’s learning module, Empowering London, since 2019. Within the first year and a half of this collaboration, more than 100 students from Guildhall School of Business and Law, School of Computing and Digital Media and the School of Social Science and Social Professions had undertaken work experiences for their work placement study modules. To date, Sarah has provided placements to over 370 of our students with her member organisations, “OBSH focuses on affordability and leverages the talent of students and recent graduates from London Met and Westminster University to support enterprises to succeed”, said Sarah Haid
Alexandra Banks, the University’s Dean of Graduate Success, applauded the entrepreneurial spirit showcased by these start-ups, alongside Vanessa Airth, Head of Work Based Learning, Policy and Practice. “ It was fantastic to see the significant contributions of over 300 London Met students to the innovation driving these initiatives”, said Alexandra Banks. Alex and Vanessa expressed enthusiasm for more students to develop their skills through opportunities with the Online Business Support Hub.Examples of just a few of the start-up social enterprises and charities that received awards:
- Dr Nadira Ali who has engaged 60 SCDM students to create a medical app to allow her to offer low price medical appointments internationally. She will offer free health consultations to deprived parts of the world and has given employment to a London Met graduate.
- An acupuncture business who has used eight of London Met’s translation students to provide marketing and guidance in several languages.
- A Brunel graduate who wants to engage our business and computing students to help her to create an app to support Muslim women on financial issues
- A London Met final year Health & Social Care student who has set up an organisation, Butterfly Touch, to raise awareness and offer support for people with lupus, a condition which she has herself and those who experience domestic violence.
- Henry, a Primary School teacher who has set-up an initiative to help improve children's mental health via art therapy by them creating and screen print positive slogan t-shirts and is keen to offer placements to our students.
- Blind Ambition, run by Seema Flower who has 2% vision, she advises companies on disability awareness – including Marks & Spencer and has employed a London Met student
- Ihlifestyle who support Bangladeshi women in poverty by selling their hand embroidered bed and sofa covers at fairtrade prices. The enterprise has been featured in Good Housekeeping magazine.
Sarah Haid, known for her commitment to working with London Met students as her charity expands, highlighted the importance of collaborations between the university and these enterprises for mutual growth and success. Sarah has previously featured on London Met news pages for International Women’s Day.
The University recently hosted a forum focuses on Student Success and Social Justice, for academics and staff members across the institution.
Date: 30 November
The occasion marked the first Learning and Teaching Forum of the 2023/24 academic year, titled "Social Justice and Student Success: Where Next?”. Over 80 members of staff attended the event, held in the University's new cutting-edge Skills and Simulation Suite located within the Science Centre at the Holloway Road Campus.
This event aimed to create cross-university dialogue, but also present an important opportunity forreflection on the impact of the University’s Education for Social Justice Framework (ESJF), now in its third year. The event was a fantastic opportunity to mark London Met’s excellent outcomes in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2023 and refreshed Student Success Strategy, all while setting eyes on the promising future. Social justice, compassion and inclusion remain the golden threads that are woven into London Met’s pedagogy and student experience, andthe history of this practice was at the forefront of discussions throughout the day.
During the Forum colleagues shared their experiences and explored University’s plans for student success and the Education for Social Justice Framework (ESJF). The Higher Education sector, more broadly, continues to grapple with the issue of differential outcomes between student groups at key points in the lifecycle: continuation, degree award and graduate destinations, and tackling this issue remains a top priority for London Met.
A shared mission
The Forum was opened by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Julie Hall. Professor Nona McDuff delivered an overview of the institution's ambitious and innovative Student Success Strategy. The Student Success Strategy comprises five key priorities: excellent student support, excellent academic operations, excellent learning environment, excellent teaching quality, and excellent graduate success, which remains underpinned by partnership with London Met’s diverse student body and collaboration with colleaguest.
Key insights were also shared by School ESJF Leads. Preetpal Kainth (SHSC) highlighted the need for a holistic approach and the opportunities ahead, while Jon Baldwin (AAD) shed light on the work around Education for Sustainable Development at the University.
There was also a presentation from senior colleagues from Claflin University, one of London Met’s HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) partners in the United States, in which Dr Mary M Williams and Dr Candice L Idlebird shared their extensive experiences of Social Justice philosophy and projects, with examples of innovative approaches on the ground extending into their local community. Notably, this includes students in first and second year being required to undertake community service, as key to ensuring that social justice remains the guiding principle of the institution.
Sharing insights and experience
A combined student and staff panel discussion provided an opportunity to explore the progress achieved through London Met’s ESJF ta series of provocations. One of the prominent findings that emerged was the satisfaction of participants in the development of the ESJF to embrace both staff and students, ensuring the whole University engaged with its value-led approach to learning and teaching.
The Framework and London Met’s commitment to social inclusion has mobilised students to become ambassadors and champions of inclusion and change, allowing their personal values to be applied to their academic experience and professionalcareers. The presentations and discussions resulted in staff finishing the day with a renewed sense of momentum, and a shared commitment to further build on what has been nurtured, under the ESJF 2.0
Two further Forums will be held during the year, leading up to the annual Learning & Teaching Conference in June 2024, with the next scheduled for the 24th January with a focus on assessment. This series remains an important cross-institutional space to foreground some of the excellent work in areas relating to learning and teaching and creates a dedicated space to facilitate the sharing of effective practice whilst also bringing together our academic community. The Learning and Teaching Forums are organised by the University’s Centre for Teaching Enhancement.