Experience a day in the life with the Shadowing Project
Have you ever wondered what students and managers do in an average day? Now you can find out
with the Shadowing Project
The Project - a collaboration between the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Office (LTEO) and
the Students’ Union - aims to give senior management and students the opportunity to walk in each
other’s shoes for the day. It is part of our commitment to enhancing the student learning
experience.
Previous participants have included the Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell,
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching) Professor Bernie Morley, Mark Humphriss the
University Secretary and University Librarian Kate Robinson. Their experiences have clearly left an
impression as many managers are signing up to the project again this year.
Professor Morley said: "I found my first experience of shadowing extremely informative so
decided to participate on a regular basis. Through this process, I gain first hand insight into the
challenges and issues of being a student here and it helps me think about how we can continue to
enhance the experience of our students overall.”
Peter Hachfeld, a final year student from the Dept of Chemical Engineering who shadowed Mark
Humphriss, said: “The Shadowing Project is an excellent opportunity to get a first hand view at
what goes on behind the scenes at the University”. In return, Mark found it really useful to be “
exposed to the hurdles that students overcome on a daily basis.”
Ailbhe Rees, an undergraduate student from the Dept of Politics, Languages &
International Studies, spent time with the LTEO Director Gwen van der Velden. Abilbhe said: "The
shadowing experience was a really valuable one for me. Not only was I able to witness first hand
the decisions which affect students' day-to-day lives, I was also able to gain a deeper
understanding of how staff see student issues; appreciating this has meant that I am better able to
negotiate and propose workable solutions to long-term problems.”
The Project is open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students alike and runs on an
annual basis. Names are now being taken for the next academic year.
If you are interesting in the Shadowing Project and would like more information please
visit our Learning & Teaching Enhancement pages.
