Hallam Symposium Series: Student Retention and Success (What Works and How Do We Know?)
A team of researchers from the University have recently published ‘Access, retention, attainment and progression: a review of the literature 2016-2021’ as part of the Advance HE Connect Benefit Series 2021-22 on Student Success. This international review explored evidence-based policy or practice that had a demonstrable impact on student outcomes (access, retention, attainment, and progression). It considered over 13,800 sources of literature and was informed by a group of expert stakeholders from across the sector.
Drawing on the findings from this review, the research team (led by Dr Liz Austen and Dr Rebecca Hodgson) are holding a Symposium Series that focuses on Student Retention and Success (What works and how do we know?). In this three-part Symposium Series, the research team will cover the following key topics:
- Tuesday 15 March 3:30-5pm: Retention & Success: Exploring Evidence for Change
Drawing on the recent review of literature, this introductory session will explore the evidence base relating to improving retention outcomes for students, and associations with other outcome measures (access, attainment, progression) across the student lifecycle. The presentation slides for the session can be found here.
- Thursday 7 April 10:30am-12noon: Retention & Success: Constructing a Theory of Change
Drawing on the recent review of literature, this session builds on evidence to support the design and delivery of effective interventions using a Theory of Change, an approach recommended by the Office for Students. The presentation slides for the session can be found here.
- Monday 6 June 9:30-11am: Retention & Success: Evaluation Planning and Implementation
This final session in the series outlines approaches to evaluating the impact of change by discussing methods of data gathering and types/standards of evidence.
Each Symposium will involve presentation(s) from the research team, opportunities for wider discussion and debate, and space for reflection/planning on how the findings align with the University context and any opportunities for further development.
The research team are delighted that Stuart Norton from Advance HE, and Professor David Shepherd, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic will be joining us to open and close the Symposium Series.
Colleagues and student representatives from across the University are very welcome to attend. This series may be particularly relevant for those that have responsibility for improving students’ access, retention, attainment and progression outcomes, and those with student experience and engagement leadership roles. For further details of the Symposium Series and to book a place, please visit the eventbrite pages below:
We look forward to seeing you there!
Research Team: Dr Liz Austen, Dr Rebecca Hodgson, Caroline Heaton, Nathaniel Pickering, and Dr Jill Dickinson