Students’ Wellbeing at the Centre of their Academic Journey: Translating pedagogic research into practice

 

In 2025, Royal Holloway, University of London, University of Warwick, and University of Reading teamed up for a three-part seminar series. Funded by the British Psychological Society (BPS), the series was designed to turn psychological research into practical, evidence-based strategies to improve student support in higher education.

Seminar 1: Royal Holloway, University of London

The series kicked off with the theme “For Students, By Students”. This event focused on the power of co-production, showcasing successful student-led initiatives in wellbeing and employability and providing a framework for how to involve students directly in creating supportive academic environments.

Links to Seminar 1 Resources: 

• Keynote speaker Dr Beatrice Hayes: For Students, By Students: Translating pedagogic research into co-produced student initiatives to benefit student wellbeing.
• Dr James P Ravenhill: Inclusive pedagogies:Embedding student experience
• Dr Juliet Holdstock: Keeping the “personal” in personal tutoringfor large cohorts

 

Seminar 2: University of Warwick

The second seminar, “Designing curriculum with a difference,” shifted focus to explore how pedagogic research can be used to create more engaging, inclusive, and thought-provoking curriculum and assessment methods that inherently support student learning and reduce stress.

Links to Seminar 2 Resources: 

• Associate Prof. Gemma Gray: “Engaging With AI in Assessments”
• Assistant Prof. Luke Hodson: “Using Reflective Practice in Psychology”

 

Seminar 3: University of Reading

The final seminar, “Using Evidence to Inform Support Services in Higher Education”, focused on strengthening the collaboration between academic staff and university support services to ensure students receive cohesive, consistent, and effective support throughout their journey.

Links to Seminar 3 Resources:

The following presentations can all be found in this combined PDF. 

• Prof. Alana James: “Evaluation the University of Reading Life Tools Programme”
• Dr Katie Barfoot: “Working in partnership with Sports Park on student research”
• Denis Persichini & Prof. Alana James: “International students’ perspective on help-seeking and mental health literacy”
• Dr Rachel Pye: “Researching Awarding Gaps”
• Karen Cross: “Invisible Needs and Uneven Recognition: A National FOI Study of Autism Support Across Diagnostic Stages in UK Universities”
• Dr Zola Dean: “Compassionate Pedagogy & Working in Partnership”
• Dr Lydia Yee & Dr Katie Barfoot, Workshop: “Developing and implementing collaborations between academics and support services, and between institutions, to promote effective student support”