Winners of the Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) 2024, The University of Manchester Library Student Team (UMLST), have made a profound impact on individual students, the institution, and the wider community over the past decade.
Jennie Blake is Head of Teaching Learning Development at The University of Manchester and runs the student team.
She says, “Our student team is the beating heart of all that we do around student support.
“It was originally created with the idea that we would have a lot of front of house work done by our students, with students as a kind of bridge or link. But in 10 years it has evolved into so much more than that.
“They co-deliver and co-create all of the learning support that we do, a lot of the peer support and are generally a part of the wider Library team in ways that I think are unique in the sector.
“Winning the CATE award for the student team, is a reminder of how important our work is and the far reach of all the projects that we do.”
Inclusivity
At the heart of UMLST's success is its unique model: current students working collaboratively and over extended periods of time with full-time University staff. UMLST members participate in consultations and contribute to shaping University-wide policies and practices, and their influence is felt across the whole institution, driving positive change and fostering a culture of inclusivity.
Student voice
The team's impact extends beyond the Library. They lead on initiatives that give students a powerful voice and represent the diversity of student communities found at Manchester, whether addressing peers in local outreach sessions or leading workshops at national conferences.
Bethany Webster and Marielle Dick are members of the student team.
Bethany says, “We're all very passionate about what we do and we work really hard in what we do.
“Even alongside all our studies, which range a lot of different academic levels, we're all keeping busy with all these different projects, but we're all very passionate about what we do.
“So getting the award definitely means a lot to us to represent all of that work.”
No limit
“Another benefit of the award is it's kind of a stepping stone to other projects that we do in the future. It's kind of like, if I can win this award, if I can do this, then there's no limit to what other projects we can do in the future," Marielle says.
“That's the benefit of the award - that there is no limit to what we can do!”
Jennie says, “I think we’ve hit on a really important thing there in terms of the benefits of the student members of the student team, which is that we're not doing anything except showing how immensely capable our students are when given access, support and a chance to shape the tasks that they attach themselves to around areas that they're passionate about.”
Watch Bethany and Marielle from UMLST talk about what the award means to the team and how it the project benefits student members.