Expression of Interest - Student Reference Group

• Do you have difficulty with the way your name is represented  in University systems?
• Have you had trouble updating your name in University systems?
• Do you have an interest in expanding the use of pronouns in University systems?
  
  

There is a project to improve University systems and students with lived experience are invited to help.

 

Read on for full information.

Students with lived experience are invited to join the Student Reference Group of the Gender Diversity and Vocabulary Management Project.

The Student Reference Group will help the design process and provide input into research and testing of improvements to university systems that will support up-to-date names, pronouns and titles for students.

 

What is this about?

The University is reviewing its IT systems and expanding its capacity to accommodate up-to-date names and pronouns on relevant platforms. This is intended to reduce the risk of 'deadnaming' and misgendering.

The project will focus on 12 high impact student systems as idenitifed in 2024, and it is expected to continue in 2025.

The project aims to:

• Improve student experience, particularly for those that are gender diverse or socially affirming their gender, by improving integration between university systems to support updates to students’ names, pronouns, and titles.
• Create guidelines for inclusive storage, management and use of students’ gender identifiers and other related information in university systems.

What is the Student Reference Group?

The project is being overseen by a management group composed of students and staff from Information and Digital Services (IDS) and Student Life.

The Student Reference Group is a larger group of students (up to 15) with lived experience who can help support the project with their input. The group met 3-4 times in 2024 (in person or via Teams) and is expected to meet again in 2025 to provide input into research, solution design and testing.

The time and contribution of members will be acknowledged by the university with a gift voucher as a token of appreciation. Members can also apply for Horizon Award points for their contribution.

 

What does this involve?

Attending meetings in 2024 and 2025 if available. You will be briefed before you begin and receive ongoing support.

Working with the project working group. Bring your lived experiences and help the working group understand what University systems should capture.

Being an ally and advocate. Create an inclusive environment and advocacte for positive changes within the University.