You are most likely aware that when an institution utilises the student voice it leads to great things for both you and your students. The University of Huddersfield is just one of the most innovative institutions in the UK who achieved success in this area. So, we wanted to share with you what they did and how you can use their success as the blueprint for your own.

The university needed to refresh its out-of-date communication channels. According to Lydia Blundell - Head of Engagement at the Student’s Union, the system was not only outdated but was “unwieldy” and “difficult to manage”. In a webinar a while back, she said the reason for this was due to the institution operating in “silos” resulting in information that both the students and the staff needed being very difficult to find. With all this in mind the university began the project with an entirely “student-first approach”. 

“It was critical that the students union and the voice of the students was embedded from day one of this project.”

Lydia Blundell - Head of Engagement at the Student’s Union

Utilising the student’s union they introduced focus groups and steering groups to find out what sites and apps students were engaging with on a regular basis. The groups allowed the university to understand what the students looked for in a user-friendly platform that worked for everyone throughout the institution. 

The groups continued to provide vital communication during the whole development process of the new platform, myHud, which has since proven to be a huge success for the university.

If you’re looking for a way to start harnessing the student voice, download our latest step-by-step guide on How Listening to Your Students Will Improve Their Experience.