S02E03 - Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education

Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation.

This month, our panel considers race and inclusion in Higher Education after a year that has thrown race equality into sharp focus across all walks of life. Our guests delve into what work had already been done in the sector prior to 2020, how much last year’s events accelerated an existing appetite for change within the sector, and how universities and student accommodation can be more inclusive spaces where staff and students of all races can flourish.

Host Darren Ellis is joined by an expert sector panel made up of:

•​Shakira Martin, Head of Student Experience at Rose Bruford College

•​Mhairi Taylor, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at University of Glasgow

•​Alex Mormoris, Inclusion Manager at London Metropolitan University

•​Sam Kingsley, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Unite Students

To learn more about Unite Students’ research into Black students’ university experience, head to Halpin’s project website here, and email unitestudents@halpinpartnership.comto take part.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s report on racial harassment in universities in England, Scotland and Wales is available here at the Commission’s website.

Aiming Higher, the Runnymede Trust’s major 2015 report on race and higher education, is available for download here.

You can learn more about Glasgow University’s action planon racism and racial harassment on campus here and London Metropolitan University’s Race Equity Strategy here.

Unite Students is the UK’s largest provider of PBSA, housing around 74,000 students in our 173 properties, which are based in 25 leading university towns and cities.

Accommodation Matters was recorded on 25th May 2021 andproduced by Alex Parsons.

S02E02 - Future of Higher Education

Accommodation Matters, bringing sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation.

Our April edition is all about the future of Higher Education, with Alister Wilson of Waverley Management Consultants providing provocations on what this might look like. Our panel considers the impact of Covid on established modes of university teaching and learning, the changing nature of jobs and skills as we enter the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and how course structures might change to accommodate lifelong learning.

Darren Ellis returns as host, and he’s joined by:

• Professor Sue Rigby, Vice Chancellor at Bath Spa University
• Ian Dunn, Provost at Coventry University
• Paul Sweeney, Chief Strategy Officer at Unite Students

Unite Students is the UK’s largest provider of PBSA, housing around 74,000 students in our 173 properties, which are based in 25 leading university towns and cities.

Accommodation Matters was produced by Alex Parsons.

S02E01 - Sustainability

Accommodation Matters is back for a new season, bringing sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation.

This season kicks off with a look at environmental sustainability: why sustainability movements have gained traction in recent years; how sustainability is relevant to the Higher Education sector; and what universities, accommodation providers and students are doing to shape a more sustainable world.

Darren Ellis returns as host, and he’s joined by:

• Andy Nolan, Development and Sustainability Director at the University of Nottingham
• Jade Monroe, Interim Director of Education at SOS UK, which is the National Union of Students’ sustainability charity, representing 7 million students in higher and further education
• James Tiernan, Head of Energy and Environment at Unite Students

James Tiernan and Andy Nolan will be speaking at the AUDE Conference 2021 from 12-16 April 2021 - you can read more about the conference at https://www.aude.ac.uk/events/annual-conference/.

Find more about Unite Students’ Sustainability Strategy here: https://www.unite-group.co.uk/responsibility/our-sustainability-commitments-16-march-2021

SOS UK’s latest Sustainability Skills Survey report is available here: www.tinyurl.com/8c9m9k9s

Learn more about the National Union of Students’ Green Impact programme here: http://greenimpact.nus.org.uk/

The University of Nottingham’s Green Rewards app can be found here: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/uon-green-rewards/id1554090130

The Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges can be found at https://www.eauc.org.uk/

Accommodation Matters was produced by Alex Parsons.

S01E05 - The story so far

In September 2020, Unite Students launched the Accommodation Matters podcast, recognising the need for a space to discuss the implications of Covid-19 for universities and accommodation providers, and how these have impacted, and will impact, on students’ living and residential experience.

Our host Darren Ellis, Higher Education Engagement Director at Unite Students, takes us through a selection of our highlights so far in this series break special episode – so sit back, listen and enjoy! We’ll be back with a brand new episode in February, so subscribe to our channel to be notified of the latest updates.

S01E04 - International Students

Host Darren Ellis returns with a new panel of experts to tackle the subject of international students in the UK.

In this episode, the panel discusses how recruitment efforts have been adapted in light of Covid, which markets we’ll be looking to for the next generation of international students, and how accommodation teams can make sure they have a great experience living and studying in the UK.

Darren is joined by:

· Sir Steve Smith, the government’s International Education Champion and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Exeter

· Vivienne Stern, Director of Universities UK International

· Dr Paul Greatrix, Registrar at the University of Nottingham

· Sheena Birch, Commercial Director at Unite Students

You can read Universities UK International’s 2019 report ‘International student recruitment: Why aren’t we second?’ here. Insights into UCAS’s early 2021/22 application data can be found here. A summary of IDP Connect’s Crossroads III research is here.

Accommodation Matters was produced by Alex Parsons.

Episode 4 - International Students is out this week

We're back for the last episode of the year. 

This month we'll be talking about international students.

Joining Darren for this discussion is Vivienne Stern, Director of Universities UK International, Professor Sir Steve Smith, the UK's International Education Champion and former Vice-Chancellor at University of Exeter, Doctor Paul Greatrix, registrar of the University of Nottingham and Sheena Birch, Commercial Director at Unite Students.

Check your podcast feed this Friday for the new episode.

S01E03 - Student mental health and wellbeing

Host Darren Ellis is back again with a new panel of experts to discuss student mental health and wellbeing, a topic arguably more relevant than ever before.

In this episode, the panel discusses how wellbeing came to the fore of the higher education sector’s agenda, how that landscape has changed with the advent of Covid-19, and what lasting changes we might see in the aftermath.

Darren is joined by:

• Professor Steve West, OBE, Vice-Chancellor of UWE Bristol, and chair of Universities UK’s Working Group on Mental Health in Higher Education
• Rosie Tressler, CEO of Student Minds
• Yvonne Turnbull, Director of Student Advice and Wellbeing at Liverpool John Moores University
• Jenny Shaw, Student Experience Director for Unite Students

Student Space, a dedicated support service developed by Student Minds, can be found here.

Read more about the University Mental Health Charter here.

The British Property Foundation’s Student Wellbeing Guide is here.

More details regarding the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Black University Students in the UK Study can be found here.

Get all the stats from Unite’s Student Experience During Covid Survey here.

Accommodation Matters was produced by Alex Parsons.

If you’re struggling, don’t suffer in silence – there are organisations out there that can help you in complete confidence including Mind and Samaritans. Where wellbeing concerns involve your work, reach out to your line manager or HR team.

Further options, including specialist helplines, can be found through the NHS website.

Episode 3 - Student Wellbeing is out Friday

This month Darren is joined by a new panel of guests to discuss student wellbeing when going to university during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Get the full episode wherever you get you podcasts from Friday.

S01 E02 - The transition into university life

Host Darren Ellis is back with a new panel of experts to discuss the transition from school to university in the context of COVID-19.

In this episode the panel discusses how students and applicants are feeling right now and how this may affect their behaviour, challenges current media portrayals of the student experience, and highlights the undiminished appetite for a residential university experience.

Darren is joined by:

• Clare Marchant, chief executive officer of UCAS
• Wayne Templeman, director of sixth form at St Bonaventure School
• James Greenwood, student experience manager at University of the Arts and chair of CUBO residential life & student experience
• Jo Blair, area manager at Unite Students and ASRA regional representative for Scotland

BBC Bitesize resources in partnership with UCAS can be found here.

The Unite Students free Leapskills resource packs for parents and teachers is here.

James is speaking at the CUBO Winter Conference at 12.30 on 30 November, further details here.

Accommodation Matters was produced by Alex Parsons.

Trailer - S01 E02 - The transition into university life

On this months episode, Darren chats to a new panel of guests including UCAS Chief Executive, Clare Marchant, St Bonaventure’s Director of 6th Form Wayne Templeman, UAL’s Student Experience Manager, James Greenwood and our very own Aberdeen and Glasgow Area Manager, Jo Blair as we discuss the transition into university life.

Listen to Accommodation Matters, available from Friday.