Abstract

Synopsis:
This is a speculative piece of work which aims to explore some of the ways in which academic staff who have a role as a personal academic tutor can more gain an appreciation of their students' lived experiences and therefore some of the challenges and barriers to their success in HE. In doing this we expect that staff could more effectively offer holistic support to their students, particularly those from marginalised and minority groups to foster an environment of inclusion and belonginess and improved outcomes for our students.

Abstract: Supporting student wellbeing is an essential aspect of the personal academic tutor (PAT) role. In a widening participation focused HE institution with an increasingly diverse student population academic staff may often feel underprepared or ill-equipped to understand the lived experiences of students from backgrounds which differ greatly from their own and the nuanced challenges and barriers that these bring. This is a speculative piece of work which aims to explore various methods by which academic staff who are PATs can enhance their empathy and emotional intelligence to better understand the challenges they face and therefore offer the highest level of support to their students. This work considers strategies including empathy mapping, reverse mentoring, reflection and reflexivity, and explores how these strategies could be used to enhance the relationship between PAT and student to enhance success.

This presentation will cover:

The importance of the PAT in succeeding in HE

Students from diverse backgrounds - challenges & barriers

Belonginess and mattering

The role of empathy in the PAT relationship

Strategies to increase empathy and understanding