Student Fellows
Background Information 2015-16
Introduction to SAUWS and UWS
The Students’ Association of the University of the West of Scotland (SAUWS) is the
democratic representative body for the students at UWS, with a vision which sees us
as a “Student led representative body campaigning for the continual enrichment of the
student experience”.
UWS, Scotland’s largest modern university, aims to have a transformational influence
on the economic, social and cultural development of the West of Scotland, and
beyond, by providing relevant, high quality, inclusive higher education and innovative
and useful research. UWS aims to make the communities it serves more successful;
and to create opportunities for all to participate.
Student Fellow role
The Student Fellow roles were introduced during academic session 2014-15. They
were trialed with a purpose to recruit, train and empower students to work alongside
academics, professional staff and students on targeted educational development
projects. As this pilot project was successful, we have secured funding for three
Student Fellows per School with the sponsorship of Professor Anne McGillivray, the
Dean of Students.
The aim of the Student Fellows is to improve the student learning experience at UWS.
Each Student Fellow within Schools will focus on either research activity, campaigning
activity or training activity, more information of each role and general activities is
detailed under the Job Description (below). The Student Fellow positions will also be
recognised on the Higher Education Achievement Record.
Student Fellows will be given measurable targets to work towards and these will be
reviewed half way through the year to make sure targets and expectations are being
reached.
Pay and expenses
The scheme pays a bursary of £300 to each Student Fellow which will be given
through two instalments, one will be in December and the other will be at the end of
the scheme which will be in April. Student Fellows will be issued with a cheque for
each payment and therefore they will be responsible for declaring tax and/or national
insurance to HMRC.
All travel expenses to away campuses will be reimbursed (i.e. if you are based at the
Paisley campus and meetings are at the Ayr Campus, the cost of this travel will be
reimbursed in cash). Proof of travel is required and the cheapest form of transport
should be used.
Closing date
There is no closing date for applications.
Job Description
Title:
Student Fellow
Department:
SAUWS
Responsible to:
Depute President, Education and Welfare (DPEW)
Student Representation Co-ordinator (SRC)
Hours of Activity: Approximately 15 hours per month
Place of Activity: University of the West of Scotland:
Ayr Campus – University Avenue, Ayr, KA8 0SX
Dumfries Campus – Dudgeon House, Dumfries, DG1 4ZN
Hamilton Campus – Almada Street, Hamilton, ML3 0JB
Paisley Campus – High Street, Paisley, PA1 2BE
Remuneration:
1.
Bursary payment of £300 – two instalments at £150 throughout
the course of the scheme. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.
Purpose of the Project
To work with school staff and student representatives in research, campaigns
and training activity and any other project activity as deemed appropriate and
related to the student experience.
Student Fellow Trainer will train student reps on School specific issues as well
as develop the training they receive. Alongside the Student Rep Co-ordinator,
they will also offer skills development opportunities and Campaigns training.
Student Fellow Research will work with School staff to collate student feedback
as reported in the NSS and ensure that areas for improvement are passed to
the appropriate person or committee. They will also ensure that positive areas
of work are shared across programmes and Schools.
Student Fellow Campaigns will assist student reps to work with the data
received by the Research Fellow and turn this into campaigns for positive
change within the Programme and/or school using skills and knowledge gained
by the Training Fellow.
2.
Main duties and responsibilities
2.1 To work with Programme Leaders and School Enhancement Developers
(SEDs) to analyse student feedback data and disseminate findings
appropriately.
2.2 To work with staff and Student Reps through campaign activity to improve
specific areas of the Student Experience as highlighted in student feedback.
2.3 To promote the importance of student participation and engagement with
student feedback opportunities.
2.4 To facilitate workshops at various student and staff events.
2.5 To work with colleagues in UWS and SAUWS in all of the above and
promote the role of Student Fellows to students.
3.
Activities
3.1 To sit on the school board as appropriate to represent their school.
3.2 Undertake meetings with DPEW, SRC and SED’s to discuss practice and
professional development.
3.3 To attend meetings as appropriate to assess how improvements are being
made.
3.4 To assist student reps in the running of School wide campaigns.
4.
Additional
Student fellows will be asked to attend events as appropriate to their role and
needs of the organisation.
Person Specification
This role would suit a student wishing to develop their core skills in research,
campaigning or training at an undergraduate or postgraduate level. It will provide the
successful candidate with an opportunity to learn more about student engagement at
UWS and to make a significant change within their school.
Essential
 Studying at University of the West of Scotland during 2015-16 academic year.
 Previous experience of being a course representative.
 Concise, clear and confident when speaking in public.
 An excellent communicator.
 A committed and enthusiastic approach to student engagement and course
representation.
 Ability to manage competing priorities according to deadlines.
 Computer literate and regular access to email/internet.
 Willingness to travel to other UWS campuses.
 Commitment to undertake required training and development opportunities.
Desirable
 Previous experience of group work and/or facilitation.
 Previous experience of campaign activity, research/data analysis activity and/or
training activity.
 Knowledge of the work and activities of SAUWS.
 Awareness of Higher Education sector, the University of the West of Scotland in
particular, and its mechanisms for quality assurance and enhancement.