An investigation of co-created curricula within higher education in the UK, Ireland and the USA

Abstract

This paper presents findings from research that investigated students and academic staff working in partnership to co-create curricula. Using case study methodology, the study investigated three examples within higher education in the UK, Ireland and the USA, where academic staff and students co-designed curricula. Findings focus on the approach to co-created curricula described by academic staff within each setting, followed by presentation of cross-case themes and outcomes from the three examples. The discussion focuses on drawing out key messages from the study results including the importance of students’ views being taken seriously and a range of early design decisions that are taken by academic staff and which are useful to those considering co-creating curricula.

Keywords:

• curriculum
• collaboration
• student participation
• student voice
• staff–student relationship

Acknowledgements

Thanks to the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland for a research grant supporting this study. Thanks to Niamh Moore; Mary Gilmartin; Eurig Scandrett; Peter Felten; Sarah Mann; and Liam Kane for their engagement and critical comments on this work. This research was approved by the University of Glasgow’s School of Education Ethics Committee.