TUSA Student-Led Research & Project Program
Executive summary
The TUSA wants to gain a greater understanding of UTAS students, by engaging students in sharing their collective experiences.
The TUSA is offering an exciting opportunity for students to get involved through a series of student-led research and project program. We want to work closely with students to learn more what each student values. For this reason, we are launching projects to be led by UTAS students in partnership with TUSA and UTAS academics.
What are we offering?
- You will partner with:
- Esteemed research academics from UTAS who will mentor, support, and work with you on the proposed project.
- TUSA student representatives or staff who will support scoping and mentoring as the project develops.
- You will have the opportunity to lead the response to an issue affecting students.
- If selected students have an elective available, they will be enrolled in ZAA249 Industry Project (as an elective) in Semester 2, 2021 and complete the research project within that unit.
Essential Criteria
- Completion of at least one semester of UTAS studies.
- Be a current student while appointed to the role.
- Sound communication and organisation skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and in teams.
- Demonstrate an ability for willingness to learn.
- A willingness to complete a short module on project management.
You can apply for any project, or if you are a student leader (e.g., a TUSA representative or club/society executive), you can propose your own.
Project summaries
The role of the projects will be slightly different across each:
Developing insights through research
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- Developing a baseline of the postgraduate student experience:
The student leading this project will implement a survey within the University of Tasmania postgraduate cohort identifying the needs and wants of the postgraduate student cohort. This will be contrasted to the way in which the literature highlights similar institutions identify and respond to the needs of their postgraduate student cohorts. The outcome of this research project will be recommendations for TUSA to implement to better support the needs and wants of the postgraduate cohort that support their experience and wellbeing.
- Fully-online student engagement with TUSA:
The student leading this project will review the current practices and approaches that the Tasmanian University Student Association (TUSA) use to engage with the fully online University of Tasmania students, contrasted with the University of Tasmania and a sample of Australian student associations with their respective constituencies. The outcome of this research will identify recommendations for methods of improving upon the current practices and approaches for TUSA to successfully engage their constituency.
- TUSA student engagement online:
The student leading this project will review the current practices and approaches that the Tasmanian University Student Association (TUSA) use to engage with University of Tasmania students within the online environment, contrasted with the University of Tasmania and a sample of Australian student associations with their respective constituencies. The outcome of this research will identify recommendations for methods of improving upon the current practices and approaches for TUSA to successfully engage students within the online learning and student environment.
- Review of inclusion policies in Australian universities:
The student leading this project will conduct a critical review of inclusion policies across Australia and develop recommendations that could inform the development of an (or suite of) inclusion policies within the Tasmanian University Student Associate and University of Tasmania student cohort.
- Examining inclusivity of LGBTIQA+ students on campus:
The student leading this project will implement an inclusion survey within the UTAS student cohort and analyse the data developed. The outcome of this data will create recommendations to inform TUSA strategies to better support and improve the condition of LGBTIQA+ University of Tasmania students.
Planning and executing based on research insights
- Enhancing engagement among clubs and societies:
The student leading this project will conduct a critical review of theDeveloping Strategic Enablers for Clubs and Society at The University of Tasmania, and work with stakeholders to identify the recommendations that should proceed to planning and execution of key and high impact recommendations. The project will include planning and implementation of key recommendations that stem from the initial research report.
- Creating greater food security for students:
The student leading this project will conduct a critical review of the Developing strategic responses to food security challenges for the Tasmanian University Student Association, and work with stakeholders to identify the recommendations that should proceed to planning and execution of key and high impact recommendations. The project will include planning and implementation of key recommendations that stem from the initial research report.
- Building the adventure club community:
The student leading this project will conduct a critical review of the Adventure Clubs with Tasmanian Students: Recommendations for Growth and Governance, and work with stakeholders to identify the recommendations that should proceed to planning and execution of key and high impact recommendations. The project will include planning and implementation of key recommendations that stem from the initial research report.
Developing your own project
For TUSA Student Representatives and Club and Society Executive members, there is an opportunity to create a project that will support the aims and responsibilities of your role, portfolio, club, society, or team. In doing so, you will be assigned a mentor and TUSA sponsor to support a project that is focused on any of the following (in the context of your role, portfolio, club, society, or team):
- Researching and gaining insight on a student challenge
- Planning a project to respond to a student challenge
- Executing a plan or project to respond to improving the student experience
- Evaluating the success of an existing plan or project.
- Developing a baseline of the postgraduate student experience: