All Systems GO

Our prep work has now concluded and we are preparing the launch our three work shop sessions to build our University personas. These sessions are cumulative to build both knowledge but also depth of understanding.

Each session will be facilitated to ensure that attendees have a great experience but also to ensure we generate a critical mass of ideas, challenges and discussion.  We ask that participants sign up to one of each session so we can maintain your insight, but also so you can see the project through to completion. 

Session 1:  Describing: introduction to personas, explaining our context and motivation and an initial look at Personas

Book a spot: https://doodle.com/poll/9tci6pm3yni8zsba?utm_source=poll&utm_medium=link

Session 2: Deepening: in-depth exploration & critique of Personas

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Session 3: Deciding: confirming final choice & ongoing use of Personas

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Student Personsas: bringing students to the heart of our decision making

Why do we create personas?

Personas aren’t a new concept and have been used in marketing strategy for many years. Why? Because we need to step into the shoes of those we want to communicate with. We need to understand what drives them and we need to speak their language. Those two things are the very basis for making sure we communicate effectively.

Now of course, we’ve made that sound simple. We’re just profiling our student body, right? In reality, it’s not quite as simple as that. To get to a set of personas that are truly representative of the diverse students we have, means shifting though thousands of pieces of data and listening to the views and perspectives of hundreds of students. No mean feat!

 

So, if it’s such a huge task, why are we bothering?

Ultimately, as a University we’re here to serve our students. They’ve trusted us with their higher education and it’s our duty to represent their views in everything we do. We can only do that if we put in the work to understand what it is they need from us. How can we ensure that we’re having a positive impact? By implementing what we learn.

We’ve already mentioned diversity and we need to be representing equality for every student. We know discrimination exists and the huge impact that has – we need to take a stand and not let inequality exist on our watch.

 

Let’s work with our students, not against them

We have an opportunity here with our persona project. Working together, as a University and Union, we can make decisions that put students at the core of everything we do. We can improve the learning experience. We can enrich the journey of every student by listening, being inclusive, and being pro-active in our decision making.

When we understand our students, we become effective communicators. And effective communication is at the core of every successful university.