Student-Staff Forum
Throughout your time at University you will develop skills and attributes which will be beneficial not only for your studies but also for your career beyond graduation. The Department of History has grouped these skills into a subject specific rubric called The Sheffield Graduate Historian (link).
The Academic Representative scheme within the Department of History is a fantastic way to further develop the Sheffield Graduate Historian attributes. Through representing the views of your coursemates and working closely with staff on a wide range of both academic and student experience matters, Academic Representatives have the opportunity to gain a multitude of skills.
A Skilled, Flexible and Confident Communicator:
Academic Representatives will work closely with a wide range of stakeholders from fellow students to student experience team members and academic staff. They will develop the ability to communicate confidently with a wide range of people about a wide range of different issues. They will also be able to develop interpersonal skills through building and maintaining positive relationships through networking, for example whilst at the Student-Staff Forum or through speaking to students about their course.
A Critical, Analytical and Original Thinker:
Academic Representatives will engage with a wide range of topics and issues within the Department of History from potential curriculum updates to building a stronger student community. This requires them to carry out research into the views of their cohort but also to critically appraise, question and analyse different perspectives in order to develop collaborative solutions. This enables Academic Representatives to become analytical and original thinkers.
An Independent and Reflective Learner:
Alongside working with other Academic Representatives within the Department, Academic Representatives will often work independently when researching the student voice within their specific level or group (disabled students etc). The ability to effectively manage their work is a transferable skill for both their degree programme and the workplace. Furthermore, Academic Representatives can develop heightened levels of reflectivity, through the analysis and discussion of student data.
A Positive Team Worker and Thoughtful Collaborator:
Academic Representatives have the opportunity to positively work together and with other students and staff to shape learning and teaching within their department. This offers the opportunity to develop strong teamwork skills. Furthermore, through becoming an Academic Representative, students have a platform to positively contribute, influence and inspire others within their cohort to take agency over their learning. This enables Academic Representatives to develop characteristics of thoughtful collaborators.
An Organised and Adaptable Project Manager:
Academic Representatives can develop leadership potential and capability through taking lead to organise communications with the wider student body in the Department of History to better understand their views. Furthermore there are opportunities for Academic Representatives to chair Student-Staff Forums, which offers experience in both public speaking and adaptability, as the student will need to manage the meeting time effectively to ensure all opinions are heard.
A Confident and Imaginative Problem Solver:
Academic Representatives are likely to encounter lot’s of different challenges which students are facing, whether that be with the structure of a specific module or more broadly how assessment is carried out within the department. Through working with both students and staff to close the feedback loop, Academic Representatives are able to develop creativity, understanding and innovative approaches to solving problems, thus becoming confident and imaginative problem solvers.