Perceptions of the Challenges and Effectiveness of Students on Internal Quality Assurance Review Panels: A Study Across Higher Education Institution

Abstract

This study evaluates the challenges and the effectiveness of students engaging in quality assurance (QA)review processes in higher education institutions. The research team set out to uncover and explore the benefits of working in partnership with students in QA processes and highlight the potential barriers to a more inclusive engagement, in order to work towards widening the diversity of student voices in these initiatives and academic development opportunities more broadly. We used a snowball sampling methodology and received responses from 35 higher education institutions. The main findings of this study have demonstrated the value of working with students as partners in QA processes, due to their fresh perspectives and expertise in student experience that can challenge the status quo. However, this study has also importantly highlighted the potential pitfalls of the recruitment processes, in particular the need for further action to be taken to diversify the pool of students from which the Student Reviewers are recruited, and the need to develop effective training to support students to be successful in their roles.