In late January and early February 2021, sparqs will be running a series of 5 national events designed to gather the views of 5 student cohorts on the impact of COVID on their Student Learning Experience.
These events are as follows:
- Postgraduate Research students: Wednesday 27th January, 3.00–4.30pm
At this event we are looking to speak to students currently undertaking a postgraduate research degree. This includes those studying doctoral degrees (e.g. PhD, MD, various Professional Doctorates) and those studying research master’s degrees (e.g. MPhil and MRes).
- Students with parental/caring responsibilities: Thursday 28th January, 1.00-2.30pm
At this event we are looking to speak with any students who have children under the age of 18 and/or students who have unpaid caring responsibilities for a family member, partner or friend. We’re looking for students studying at college or university, on any course and on any level of qualification.
- Apprentices and work-based learners: Monday 1st February, 2.00-3.30pm and 6.00–7.30pm
At this event we are looking to speak to students on work-based learning courses. This includes students on foundation apprenticeships, modern apprenticeships and graduate apprenticeships in any job or profession. We are also looking to speak to students on other work-based learning courses, including social work and teacher training.
- Medical and healthcare students: Wednesday 3rd February, 6.00–7.30pm
At this event we are looking to speak to students studying any medical or healthcare course, including (but not limited to) Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Nutrition & Dietetics, Midwifery and Clinical Psychology. We’re looking for students studying at college or university, at any year of study and across any level of healthcare qualification.
- Students studying National 5s, Highers and Advanced Highers at college: Thursday 4th February, 4.30-6.00pm
At this event we are looking to speak with any students studying National 5s, Highers or Advanced Highers at college. This includes students who are studying at college part of the week alongside studying at school, as well as adult returners to education.
The events will take the form of interactive workshops, facilitating semi-structured group discussion and giving students the opportunity to share their stories and experiences. The workshops will provide the basis for a series of summary reports and recommendations for future projects and initiatives, to ensure that these cohorts are supported most effectively as the impact of COVID continues.
They will be an opportunity for students to share their stories and influence the creation of new projects and initiatives at a national level. Students’ contributions will also ensure that we capture and understand the impact of COVID upon all students, however and wherever they learn.
The events hashtag, for use on Twitter, will be #sparqsC19SLE
When can students register?
The events will open for registration in early January. Once they are available to book, sparqs will be asking students’ associations and institutions to help advertise these events to the 5 cohorts above. If you have contact with students in any of the cohorts listed (or know someone who does), please do look out for the email from sparqs in early January announcing that bookings are open, and share this opportunity with relevant students.
Queries
For further information, or if you have any queries regarding the events, please contact Megan Brown, Development Consultant – megan.brown@sparqs.ac.uk
