Call for Proposals

The 2026 Learning and Teaching Conference will explore how the wider University community can move beyond traditional models of Student Voice, and ask, what is possible?  Student Voice is a key strategic priority that sits under one of the six principles in Scotland’s Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework: ‘Student engagement and partnership’.  

The University of Edinburgh is prioritising Student Voice in a genuine desire to empower students to work in partnership with staff and to engage in a feedback dialogue to consider how meaningful action can be taken, or not. By creating initiatives and systems that support students in defining how and where they use their voices, and which empower staff to listen and respond meaningfully to the feedback they receive, the University can create a culture where all students are partners in contributing to learning and teaching conversations and to the development of future curriculum. 

Students and staff at the University are already pioneering initiatives to make space for, and amplify, Student Voices by adopting and creating methods and opportunities in areas such as assessment and feedback and course and programme design. Staff are exploring ways to let students know how their voices are impacting the day-to-day experience of learning and teaching and how they are shaping the future student experience. This Conference will provide a collegial platform for staff and students to share current Student Voice learning and teaching initiatives, as well as offering a space to shake-up traditional models, provoke new discussions and present innovative ideas.    

We invite all members of the University community to submit proposals relating to one or more of the following five Student Voice in Learning and Teaching themes. Please note that the accompanying prompt questions and suggestions are not exhaustive. They offer a flavour of some potential discussion points that may arise from presentations at the Conference:  

1.  Creating a sense of belonging through Student Voice 

What opportunities have been, or could be, created to make students feel like they matter and belong in learning and teaching spaces? How can effective dialogue between staff and students help students feel they are valued by the University? This could include examples of student staff co-creation and partnership, projects or initiatives set up in Schools, or classroom practices that signal to students that staff are keen to listen and respond to students’ perspectives and nurture dialogue in teaching and learning spaces. 

2. Navigating and creating spaces for critical Student Voice 

How can we balance freedom of expression, activism, academic debate, student experience, and psychological safety within our teaching spaces? What teaching methods productively support activism and Student Voice in the curriculum? This could include examples of designing activism into course design and learning opportunities, exploring constructive approaches to activism, including compassionate assessment approaches and developing safe/brave spaces for discussion/debate. 

3. Empowering student leaders, from representatives, to societies, and beyond 

How can we best develop training, mentoring and support for student representatives across the University? How can student leaders help ensure students know who to channel feedback ideas to and then reassure them that they have been heard? How can we better include non-traditional forms of Student Voice – including the importance of listening to all student leaders (such as society committees and peer learning schemes), without undermining the importance of School or Programme Reps? How can we create conditions for all students to have a voice and to effectively use their voices within helpful structures? 

4. From hearing Student Voice to acting on Student Voice 

How do we enable the Student Voice feedback loop (moving away from the transactional model of ‘you say, we did’)? How can we build genuine dialogue and trust in considering what can and cannot be acted upon, and how can we communicate this effectively so that all students know their voices are valued and taken seriously? What different forms of evaluation and analysis of Student Voice data can we use to create meaningful enhancement? This could include examples of engaging in co-creation with students to explore and act on feedback and move beyond closing the feedback loop. 

5. Overcoming barriers to Student Voice initiatives 

What are the barriers to implementing meaningful Student Voice initiatives in learning and teaching, and how can they be realistically addressed or overcome in practice? What mechanisms can encourage engagement when staff and students are time-poor? How do we fairly involve, reward and recognise those involved in Student Voice initiatives? How can we ensure inclusion of traditionally under-served students in Student Voice actions? 

Proposal word count is approximately 300 words (max 2000 character).  

Please also note the following:  

Deadline for Proposals: 12 noon, Wednesday 18 February 2026.