The total student experience encompasses teaching and learning, curriculum, student life, advising and mentoring. The term embraces the notion that learning does not only take place in the classroom and that students’ time spent in higher education is about a whole range of experiences.
The seminar explored the various agendas (e.g. Research Councils/funders, students/newer researchers, employers, discipline communities) that exercise an influence on practices. Participants were invited to share experiences and identify issues. That information was used to inform consideration of what actions should be prioritised and how these could start to inform a coherent developmental model for early career researchers.
The seminar drew upon experience in Scotland of a recent Quality Enhancement theme around the contribution of Research-Teaching Linkages in the development of graduate attributes. Prof George Gordon was co-director of the sector-wide project. There were also several projects targeted at groups of disciplines.