We believe in collaboration for the common good..

As a result, SVA members, students and staff, can join working groups that are focused on creating useful resources and guides, or embark on any other projects that improve everyone’s experience in the sector. Each working group works closely with the SVA Coordinator who provides admin support and actively contributes to each project.

There are two working groups with different focuses:

Student Voice Practice Working Group

This group is focused on creating resources relevant for the student voice sector sharing them on the SVA website, member portal and at the SVA events. The resources may include training guides, literature reviews, collated case studies, handbooks, videos and any other forms of content that will contribute to advancing student voice practices in the sector.

Current Project: Student Rewards Survey

Developing, distributing and analysing a survey with quantitative and qualitative questions about student rewards and remuneration systems in representation space across Australian tertiary institutions.

Objective 1: Practitioner survey 

By the end of June 2024, conduct a comprehensive investigation and documentation of existing rewards and recognition practices within the tertiary education industry, identifying and categorising key strategies commonly employed. This will involve gathering data from all Australian institutions that a willing to share their data, analysing their approaches, and producing a detailed sector scan report outlining key findings and trends. This report will be shared with SVA stakeholders to inform institutions about the best practices that reward and recognise student representative efforts. 

Objective 2: Student survey 

By the end of August 2024, conduct a comprehensive investigation and documentation of SVA member institution’s student sentiment regarding current reward and recognition practices. The survey will be designed to gather feedback on current perceptions, satisfaction levels, and suggestions for improvement regarding the recognition they receive for their role. Aim to achieve a minimum response rate of 70% from the targeted population. Upon completion, analyse the survey data to identify key themes, trends, and areas for enhancement. Generate a comprehensive report summarising the findings, including actionable insights and recommendations for refining existing reward and recognition strategies.  

Members 

• Ana Kuleshova, SVA Coordinator - EA 

• Andrew Johnson, Student Enrichment Manager, University of Southern Queensland 

• Lisa Connolly, Student Senate Co-Chair, University of Southern Queensland 

• Sara Ardern, Practice Lead, Student Partnerships, Griffith 

• Charlie Tran, Student Representative on SVA Steering Group, Griffith 

• Kate Walsh, Senior Coordinator, Student Representation and Partnerships, Flinders 

• Devin Lam, Student, Macquarie University 

• Anthea D’Aloia, Manager, Students as Partners, University of Adelaide 

Next phases of the project: Once the survey is completed and analysed, the next phase would be to create a resource outlining the results alongside case studies. A new working group will be formed to complete this body of work.

Why engage in the Working Group project?

• Expand your professional network and skills.

• Showcase your work to the sector by presenting, and publishing articles or papers reflecting on the project findings and experience.

• Contribute to the library of useful resources that help further develop student voice practices in tertiary education.

Student Engagement Working Group

The Student Engagement group explores pathways to promote and grow student participation at SVA. It will also look at the practices that can be explored and shared with the members to strengthen student representation at member institutions. The projects will be shared with relevant networks and at the Student Voice Summit and SVA Symposium.

Current Project: Collating Student Engagement Practices in the sector

Collating and analysing case studies describing student engagement including previously submitted case studies to SVA and any publically available case studies in the student voice sector. Arrange a suitable way for the members to access and gain inspiration from student engagement practices, eg. categorise into Student-led initiatives, staff-led, online, etc.

Status: Accepting EOI. Please email sva@unisq.edu.au if you are interested.

Timeline: Complete the project by 26 June or earlier.

Time commitment: approx. 2-4 meetings with the group determined by the Project Lead. Members are welcome to volunteer and take on extra responsibilities such as researching publically shared student engagement case studies. This discussed by the working group at Meeting 1.

Meeting 1: tbc mid-April

Rewards: Students and staff will be officially recognised by listing their names on the SVA website mentioning the project and will be awarded with a certificate outlining the project details.

Next phases of the project: Once the resources have been collated and categorised a good practice guide could be created based on the shared practices. A new working group will be formed to complete this body of work.

Members are encouraged to join the group projects at their own capacity to grow their network and professional contribution to the sector. Please contact sva@usq.edu.au if you have any questions.

Sign up to a working group