Students as Partners Project Grants

This project aimed to address challenges first-year Bachelor Nursing students face such as fast-paced learning, gaps in scientific knowledge and inadequate study strategies which hinder academic success and clinical confidence. These issues were addressed by implementing weekly workshops and podcasts focused on study techniques, content mastery and clinical preparedness. These strategies resulted in better content retention, increased confidence, boosted preparedness and reduced feelings of anxiety within students.

For more information, please contact the Staff Partner, Jack Cornish.

This project aims to assess the perceptions and attitudes of UTS HDR students and recent graduates towards open science and open-access publishing. Based on the findings, recommendations have been provided to increase awareness and engagement with open-access tools and practices among students, better preparing them for the evolving landscape of academic publishing.

For more information, please contact the Staff Partner, Helen Chan.

AI Across Disciplines project aimed to improve Generative AI (GenAI) among UTS students from non-technical disciplines. Through research, a short, non-reward course was built on Canvas UTS. The course aims to engage students by providing foundational AI knowledge in an accessible manner and equip students with the skills to navigate and apply AI technologies responsibly in their academic and professional careers.

Read more about their GenAI Literacy course on this blog post.

For more information, please contact the Staff Partner, Dr Antonette Shibani.

The HIPPOS project aimed to raise students' awareness on building professional portfolios by utilising their university projects to showcase their skillsets, helping them become more adaptive, employable, and prepared for their future career. A Canvas site on portfolio building and reflective learning was developed and tested with a group of Games Development students. A showcase was held for student participants to display their portfolios to faculty staff, academics and peers. Five student participants expressed that if it wasn't for this project they would not have had a portfolio.

For more information, please contact the Staff Partner, Jason Do.

This project sought to identify gaps in students knowledge and comfortabilities surrounding audio technology, jargon, and radio journalism. A set of 11 informative and accessible zines were developed and distributed to students to empower and enhance their engagement to university content. Areas addressed include choosing microphones, organising and structuring Digital Audio Workstation sessions, patching, using the radio panel, producing interviews and using different online programs necessary for radio.

You can view the zines on our UTS Library Digital Collections page here.

For more information, please contact the Staff Partner, Dr Liz Giuffre.

'Keeping BCII Warm' explores insights and recommendations into the Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation (BCII) student experience on the challenges faced during interstitial breaks between BCII subjects. Recommendations explored include strategies for retaining knowledge, strengthening skills and taking opportunities to connect amongst peers.

For more information, please contact the Staff Partner, Beate Mueller.

This project seeks to examine the current application of loss and bereavement policies, with a focus on special consideration procedures at UTS. The findings aim to guide the development of a comprehensive systematic, and trauma-informed framework that can support students in navigating the administrative processes associated with special consideration in the context of bereavement.

For more information, please contact the Staff Partner, Jo Tilly.

The Tapasā: Pasifika Student Empowerment Initiative was launched to support Pasifika students at UTS by addressing their unique challenges, including isolation and limited access to culturally relevant academic resources. This initiative aimed to foster belonging, confidence, and academic success while celebrating Pasifika cultural identity. A project launch showcase was hosted in collaboration with the Tapasā: Pasifika Student Empowerment Initiative.

For more information, please contact the Staff Partner, Christine Afoa.

The Timetable Tune project sought to gain insights into the needs of students during their timetabling and enrolment experiences, using a human-centred design approach. The outputs included key recommendations for optimising the student journey, and key digital systems including 'MyTimetable'  interface, with the aim to reduce student stress, confusion, and cognitive load, and enhance the overall navigation experience. The result will lead to more satisfied students who feel empowered, and confident for their studies ahead. 

For more information, please contact the Staff Partner, Mischa Damon.

This project aims to investigate challenges faced by ADHD university students and identify practical and proactive strategies. These proposed recommendations seek to create a more inclusive and supportive academic environment that enables ADHD students to fully engage with their education and succeed academically.

For more information, please contact the Staff Partner, Nathan Langford.

The First Year Narratives project is a collection of digital stories that amplify the voices of students typically marginalised and underrepresented in universities. Through recorded in-person interviews, these narratives reveal knowledge gaps amongst community and support systems offered at UTS and enhances the understanding of unique cultural needs of UTS's diverse student body. A project launch showcase was hosted in collaboration with the Tapasā: Pasifika Student Empowerment Initiative SaP group.

For more information, please contact the Staff Partners, Amanda Moors-Mailei  and Regan Gauci.