Creating student spaces

Eric Pawson with Nick Brunsdon and Fiona Thomas

The BriefTo provide a student perspective on provision of informal student spaces on campus (inside, outside, virtual)

Spaces for learning, interacting and socialising, not for teaching

Complete an evidence-based review and a set of guidelines about what makes ‘good’ student space

Evidence from elsewhere• Student success derives from ‘enriching

educational experiences and supportive campus environments’ (George Kuh’s studies of student engagement and campus conditions)

• ‘Sticky campuses’ (Woods Bagot, UTS Sydney Building 5)

• Australian Learning Teaching Council: Retrofitting learning spaces ( report online)

• AUT’s new WG Precinct (on AUT website)

How not to do it

A definition of student space

• ‘student spaces on campus need to provide factors and facilities that are unavailable to students elsewhere, especially at home, and need to be comfortable, easily accessible, well managed and diverse, in both function and set up’

U Sydney

Themes

• Derived from in-depth discussion and walkabouts with small focus groups

1 comfort/environment2 function3 amenities4 management/operation

1 Comfort/environment

• Lack of suitable spaces at home• Warm and comfortable, sun and light• Noise: both quiet and interactive spaces

appreciated• Colour: warm and light,

not dull or very bright• Outdoor provision

encourages stickinessAUT

2 Function

• A range of different types of spaces to encourage staying on campus

• Functions include study, socialising, discussion after class

• Subject specific spaces as well as all-uni spaces• Virtual space:

Learn!

AUT

3 Amenities

• Power points, proper wifi coverage and laptop workstations

• Flexible furniture of good quality

• Self service food areas: microwaves, hot water

Queensland U Technology

4 Management/operations

• Changes in managing facilities can be as important as new facilities: eg student space in Kirkwood

• Kirkwood after hours: toilet access, food, heating

• Developing protocols based on trust for use of spaces

U Melbourne

Case studies

• C Lecture block: light and open mezzanine floor with locked kitchen. Unused as lacking furniture and power points

• Undercroft: greatly appreciated. Users would like it left alone instead of regularly appropriated for lectures and shows

• Kirkwood: needs an allocated pod of student specific spaces: accessible, heated, with kitchen, toilet and computer facilities, for study and socialising

Conclusion

• There is an active link between student engagement and attractive student spaces

• Much can be done that is simple and low cost, providing it is well thought out and attractive

• Students treat good facilities well; they need to be involved in negotiating protocols based on trust

• There is an abundance of ideas and experience elsewhere