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Theory of Change for Annual Quality Reports
June 1 @ 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
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TSEP, in partnership with the Quality Assurance Agency, is evaluating the delivery and effectiveness of ‘Annual Quality Reports’. We would like to invite officers and staff from students’ unions and institutions that have previously or are currently developing an Annual Quality Report to attend a participatory workshop, Theory of Change for AQR’s, on 1st June in London.
The event is free of charge, lunch and refreshments will be provided and we will cover travel costs for all participants (including overnight accommodation if necessary). We can book travel in advance or reimburse costs following the workshop.
What are Annual Quality Reports?
NUS and TSEP, in partnership with QAA, have been providing bespoke support to students’ unions on the development of AQRs since 2012/13. We have produced case studies and guides, which can be found here. Annual Quality Reports (AQRs) are produced by students’ unions, often in consultation with their institutions, and act as an independent assessment of students’ views on areas of the academic experience. They usually include an assessment of what students think about the quality of their learning experience, based on existing data and new research to investigate issues in greater depth, as well as recommendations for enhancement. Some have also included an assessment on the extent to which students are involved in quality processes. AQRs are often produced on an annual basis and aligned with the institution’s annual monitoring processes, but some students’ unions produced scaled-down reports on a termly basis. In addition, some students’ unions have produced AQRs that have looked at a broad range of areas relating to the academic experience, whilst others have focussed on a specific area and explored it in greater depth.
What will the Theory of Change for AQRs workshop involve?
The workshop is taking place from 09.30- 17.30 at NCVO, which is just eight minutes’ walk from King’s Cross and St Pancras stations. The workshop will be made up of creative sessions that encourage participants to think outside of the box, challenge assumptions and innovate. Here is a brief outline of the day and the topics that will be covered.
Time | Activity |
09:00 – 09:30 | Tea and Coffee |
09:30 – 09:40 | Introduction |
09:40 – 10:00 | Teambuilding Icebreaker |
10:00 – 10:45 | Session 1 – Perspectives and Gaps (SU Staff/SU Officers/Institutional Staff) |
10:45 – 11:30 | Session 2 – The Ethics of AQRs (Research Ethics, Marginalised Groups/Interests, Power Dynamics, Resources) |
11:30 – 11:45 | Break |
11:45 – 12:30 | Session 3 – Partnership Working (Reputation, Resources, Reaction, what stages of the process) |
12:30 – 13:15 | Session 4 – Student Engagement (before, during and after, what groups of students, reaching the hard to reach) |
13:15 – 14:00 | Lunch |
14:00 – 14:45 | Session 5 – Process (Storyboards) |
14:45 – 15:30 | Session 6 – Lessons Learnt and Unlearnt (Problem Solving) |
15:30 – 15:45 | Break |
15:45 – 16:30 | Session 7 – Future (New Quality Assessment processes and the embedding of student voice) |
16:30 – 17:15 | Session 8 – Other Frameworks (Best of Lists) |
17:15 – 17:30 | Recap and Next Steps |
Who should attend?
We would like representatives from both students’ unions and institutions that have previously or are currently developing an Annual Quality Report to attend. As such, we encourage delegates from institutions and their students’ unions to attend the workshop together and use this as an opportunity for joint reflection and discussion.
How do I register?
Please send your name, role, institution/students’ union name and contact details to by Wednesday 25th May. We will be in touch to confirm your place and arrange travel.