Digital Storytelling at Sheffield Hallam

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Digital Storytelling Transitions from Study into Employment: Experiences of Graduate Interns 2021-2022

Abstract

STEER have been using digital storytelling to amplify student and staff voices for many years, most recently to explore the transition to undergraduate study via a Foundation Year. The current research explored transition at a different point in the student lifecycle – progression from student to Graduate Intern. This study also explored the Covid-19 challenges faced by this cohort of students. The aims of this pilot research were to further explore the utility of the digital storytelling method in gathering student experiences and to provide a detailed analysis of the transition experience of the 2021 cohort of Graduate Interns.  Graduate Interns were supported to create the digital stories during two training sessions provided by STEER, while two researchers from STEER thematically analysed the digital stories and then collated the evidence. The findings of the digital stories are covered across three main themes: The role of the course in transitions to employment; Transition experiences: and Career planning.

More information can be found on the blog post.

Observing the Observers: Using Digital Storytelling for Organisational Development Concerning ‘Critical Whiteness’ (2018)

Abstract

This project tested the use of digital storytelling in several ways: as an intervention for engaging in difficult conversations about positive cultural and behavioural change; as a method of data collection; as an innovative way of sharing evidence and expertise. The project focusses on the discussion of ‘critical Whiteness’ within organisational development. Previous research by the project leaders concluded that a lack of discussion about critical Whiteness and subsequent impact on possible curriculum change might create barriers to addressing the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) attainment gap (Jones-Devitt et al. 2017). Consequently, approaches that address implicit bias often focus on individual rather than organisational responsibility for change, resulting in minimal acknowledgement of critical Whiteness, per se. An exploration of critical Whiteness is an important and overlooked area of positive cultural and behavioural change within organisations. This project collected and analysed data from one higher education institution and developed a digital practice guide to support the development of further work across the sector.

REACT  “Lessons Learnt” – research output from a SHU project which aimed to reduce the BAME attainment gap (2017)

Abstract

This digital story documents the ‘Creation and confidence’ initiative at Sheffield Hallam University which has a large BME attainment gap; this student group has been constructed as ‘hard to reach’. The project team consisted of a range of academic and professional services staff alongside three student researchers. The project set out to achieve: gaining evidence-based insights into the use of co-design and peer-learning as conduits of confidence-building and belonging of BME students; developing a scalable approach to building confidence and fostering belonging of all students; raising awareness of the need to think differently about explanations of BME underachievement. The team found that the biggest barrier concerned staff engagement as – no matter how much evidence was presented – other facets of institutional provision were identified as having priority, resulting in inertia. Considerable emotional labour was expended in trying to elicit change within a resistant culture. Despite this, there have been some very positive developments and enlightening lessons.

More information can be found on the REACT website and in our collection of publications.

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