Hearing and Acting on Students' Voices in Higher Education

The session is co-presented by Elliot Borgstrand (Lund University), Fruzsina Nánai (University of Szeged), and Rachel Forsyth (Lund University)

Mention of 'student voice' has become an established feature of higher education, most visibly through course evaluations, surveys, and student representation. It is important to remember that we are talking about a very wide range of students' voices and that it can be good to think about the different contexts in which students are heard. This plenary session examines student voice not as a technical feedback process, but as a relational and democratic practice that depends on trust, power-sharing, and institutional responsiveness. Drawing on research on student participation, trust, and student–staff partnership, the session will encourage reflection and discussion about where students' voices are encouraged, listened to, and acted on in higher education, and the potential gap between good intentions and effective practices. 

This interactive session is co‑presented by academic staff and students. Students will share reflections on how student voice is experienced in practice, including within the EUGLOH alliance, and we will think about what we do to help it feel meaningful, when it might feel risky, and when it appears to have little or no impact. Online participants will be invited to participate in the discussions via the chat tool and through the interactive response system being used. 

This event is streamed live from the EUGLOH Conference on Pedagogical Development taking place in Alcalá where around 200 educators, researchers, students, and staff involved in teaching administration from European university alliances meet to share innovative practices and reflect on the future of teaching and learning in transnational higher education.

The conference aims to strengthen collaboration among teachers, students, educational developers, and academic support staff across institutions, promoting pedagogical innovation, joint course design, and the professional development of academic staff. Students play a central role as co-creators and active contributors, bringing their perspectives, experiences, and ideas to the ongoing transformation of higher education within European alliances.

The link to the event will be sent to registered participants prior to the session.