Data

General Issues
Identity & Diversity
Specific Topics
School Governance
Right to Representation
Location
Parramatta
New South Wales
2116
Australia
Videos
Western Sydney University held Australia's first students' panel!
Start Date
End Date
Time Limited or Repeated?
A single, defined period of time
Purpose/Goal
Make, influence, or challenge decisions of private organizations
Approach
Co-governance
Spectrum of Public Participation
Consult
Total Number of Participants
32
Open to All or Limited to Some?
Limited to Only Some Groups or Individuals
Recruitment Method for Limited Subset of Population
Stratified Random Sample
Targeted Demographics
Students
General Types of Methods
Deliberative and dialogic process
General Types of Tools/Techniques
Facilitate dialogue, discussion, and/or deliberation
Specific Methods, Tools & Techniques
Citizens' Reference Panel
Legality
Yes
Facilitators
Yes
Facilitator Training
Professional Facilitators
Face-to-Face, Online, or Both
Face-to-Face
Types of Interaction Among Participants
Discussion, Dialogue, or Deliberation
Information & Learning Resources
Written Briefing Materials
Expert Presentations
Communication of Insights & Outcomes
Public Report
Type of Organizer/Manager
Academic Institution
Non-Governmental Organization
Type of Funder
Academic Institution
Evidence of Impact
Yes
Types of Change
Changes in how institutions operate

CASE

Western Sydney University Students' Panel

March 26, 2024 friedel.marquardt
General Issues
Identity & Diversity
Specific Topics
School Governance
Right to Representation
Location
Parramatta
New South Wales
2116
Australia
Videos
Western Sydney University held Australia's first students' panel!
Start Date
End Date
Time Limited or Repeated?
A single, defined period of time
Purpose/Goal
Make, influence, or challenge decisions of private organizations
Approach
Co-governance
Spectrum of Public Participation
Consult
Total Number of Participants
32
Open to All or Limited to Some?
Limited to Only Some Groups or Individuals
Recruitment Method for Limited Subset of Population
Stratified Random Sample
Targeted Demographics
Students
General Types of Methods
Deliberative and dialogic process
General Types of Tools/Techniques
Facilitate dialogue, discussion, and/or deliberation
Specific Methods, Tools & Techniques
Citizens' Reference Panel
Legality
Yes
Facilitators
Yes
Facilitator Training
Professional Facilitators
Face-to-Face, Online, or Both
Face-to-Face
Types of Interaction Among Participants
Discussion, Dialogue, or Deliberation
Information & Learning Resources
Written Briefing Materials
Expert Presentations
Communication of Insights & Outcomes
Public Report
Type of Organizer/Manager
Academic Institution
Non-Governmental Organization
Type of Funder
Academic Institution
Evidence of Impact
Yes
Types of Change
Changes in how institutions operate

"World-first" students' assembly was formed to deliberate on how to make student representation more open to a diverse range of people and enhance student engagement.

Problems and Purpose

Student engagement has been declining in universities, with it becoming more apparent that only certain types of people or demographics take up student representative or leadership roles. In an attempt to change the way student presentation has been done, Western Sydney University partnered with newDemocracy Foundation to set up a students' assembly where participants were asked to respond to the question "How should students have a voice at Western Sydney University?" [1]

Background History and Context

There is a lack of engagement from many students at university in student representative and leadership roles. Currently, these roles tend to be filled by "politically active and ambitious students", consequently leading to less representation of some student demographics. This has been thought to have a flow-on effect into political representation beyond university. [2]

Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities

Western Sydney University initiated and funded the students' panel.

newDemocracy Foundation organised it.

Participant Recruitment and Selection

32 students were selected through random stratified sampling.

Methods and Tools Used

Citizens' panel

What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation

Participants met four times across Semester 1 2022. These meetings were held over two months, with a meeting held once every three weeks. [3]

It was proposed that the four meetings will take place in the following way:

  • Meeting 1: introduction to process, get to know each other, critical thinking skills, learning of the issue of student representation, requests for further information and guest speakers
  • Meeting 2: guest speaker presentations, small group deliberations
  • Meeting 3: guest speaker presentations (if requested), small group deliberations, draft recommendations
  • Meeting 4: finalising recommendations and report, present report to Western Sydney University's Vice-Chancellor [4]

Influence, Outcomes, and Effects

Recommendations report presented to WSU's Vice Chancellor who adopted them. A Project Officer was assigned to work to implement these recommendations across the university. [5]

Analysis and Lessons Learned

See Also

Student Citizens' Jury Information Pack

Student Citizens' Jury Response

References

[1] newDemocracy Foundation (n.d.) Western Sydney University Students' Panel (2022). Accessed at: https://www.newdemocracy.com.au/2022/01/10/5617/

[2] Ibid.

[3] Western Sydney University Student Panel Report (n.d.). Accessed at: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/currentstudents/current_students/services_and_facilities/student_representation_and_participation_at_uws/citizens_panel

[4] Western Sydney University & newDemocracy Foundation (n.d.) Rethinking Student Representation Project Design Proposal. Accessed at: https://www.newdemocracy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/WSU-Project-Design.pdf

[5] Western Sydney University (n.d.) Student Citizens' Panel. Accessed at: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/currentstudents/current_students/services_and_facilities/student_representation_and_participation_at_uws/citizens_panel

External Links

Notes