Amplifying Student Voices: Building a More Inclusive University Community
What does it take to help every student feel like they truly belong? This question sat at the heart of a recent University of Glasgow project focused on strengthening community and inclusion.
The initiative brought together staff and three student interns to explore the experiences of groups who are often underrepresented or marginalised—specifically international, mature, commuting, and disabled students. These groups can face a range of challenges, from financial pressures and accessibility barriers to cultural differences and time constraints, all of which can lead to feelings of isolation.
To better understand these experiences, the team co-created a series of videos and podcasts featuring honest conversations with students from these cohorts. The content ranged from interview-style discussions to informal vlog-style storytelling, designed to be both engaging and accessible. These outputs will be shared across platforms like YouTube and Spotify, helping to reach a wide audience.
But the project went beyond storytelling—it created a platform for students to shape change. Participants shared ideas for improving community life, including more inclusive events, accessible spaces, and mentorship opportunities. For many, simply being heard was powerful; some described the experience as the first time they had been able to openly discuss their challenges at university.
The impact is already clear. By amplifying diverse voices, the project has highlighted gaps in the student experience while building empathy and understanding across the university. It has also laid the groundwork for future initiatives aimed at fostering a more connected and inclusive campus.
At its core, this project is a reminder: meaningful change starts by listening.
Acknowledgements
This project wouldn’t have happened without our student interns Kelly Yu, Hafiz Bin Ahmad Aminuddin and Monica Chavez! Staff leads also merit thanks – Michèle Vincent, Leyla De Amicis, Colette Mair, Samuel Skipsey and Zayba Ghazali-Mohammed and Dustin Hosseini!