Student engagement: stakeholder perspectives on course representation in university governance

Abstract

Student engagement has become a key feature of UK higher education policy and analysis. At the core of this is a notion of engagement characterised by dialogue and joint venture. The article explores this by considering the role of student representation in university governance. It focuses on the system of course representation that is a feature of most British universities. Using a small-scale, exploratory study of key stakeholders within one UK institution, it examines the context within which such representation operates. Analysis suggests that a complex interaction between cultural, social, individual and structural factors shapes the nature of representation. It concludes that enhancing engagement requires institutions to resist managerialist impulses to regulate and control course representation. Instead, they should respond flexibly and reflexively to create an environment for meaningful engagement between students and staff.

Keywords:

• student engagement
• student representation
• university governance
• course representative
• student participation

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank all of my colleagues who so generously participated in this research. Thanks are also due to Professor Paul Trowler of Lancaster University, Department of Educational Research, for his support.