KUSU

Student Academic Development Associate Research Scheme (SADRAS)

What is SADRAS?  

 A new project for 2012/13 Kingston University Students’ Union in partnership with Kingston University Academic Development Centre (ADC) providing students and staff with the opportunity to work in collaboration to strengthen learning and teaching at the University.

SADRAS offers these opportunities:

• Paid employment for students to work in equal partnership with faculty staff
• To strengthen and improve the learning and teaching development of the University.
• Invites students and staff to identify educational development projects in which students will play an active role.

SADRAS overview

Both staff and students are invited to initiate and consider particular issues which they would like to be the subject of the research. These ideas may have arisen from Staff Student Consultative Committees or other formal student consultations but may also be provoked by individual thoughts, ideas and experiences.

Successful project proposals will clearly show how students will be an active partner in the project and preference will be given to those proposals that have been developed in partnership.

• Up to £1000 of student paid work will be available for each project with a maximum of 25 projects being funded in 2012/13.
• The submission deadline for proposals is the 24th October 2012
• Successful projects will be confirmed by the beginning on 5^th November 2012.
• All project staff and students will be invited to an induction event in November.
• Students will be able to engage in a planned calendar of support sessions from the ADC and KUSU during the year.
• All project monies should be spent by the end of July 2013.

KUSU & the Academic Development Centre are extremely proud of this scheme and the potential it offers to staff and students alike. To date the scheme has gained significant interest from the National Union of Students (NUS) and the Higher Education Academy (HEA) in their joint project on student engagement as well as the Association of Registrars’ Council (ARC).

What is involved in a SADRAS project?

 1. Deciding on a project

Are there issues which have been raised in Staff Student Consultative Committees (SSCC) that you would like to develop? Or an aspect of your course which you would like to develop? SADRAS is a unique opportunity for you to research and develop your ideas in collaboration with staff, and you get paid!

2.  How to find a staff partner

You may have a staff member in mind that taught you previously, that you have worked on projects with previously or who has a shared vision for change. Partnerships can be cross level, faculty and course and may also include academic or non-academic staff. If you have an idea for a project but don’t have a staff member in mind your faculty Student Support Officers, Module Leader, Head of School or Course Representative should be able to give you some ideas.

3.  Being approached by a staff member to work collaboratively

In addition to paid employment there are many other benefits to working with a staff partner:

• The chance to positively influence aspects of your course and the student experience
• Experience of running and working on projects and their impact, dissemination and evaluation
• Transferable skills such as time management, team working, academic writing, and project management

4. Funding

The hourly rate for all students will be £10.00 and up to £1000 is available for each project team. You will be paid fortnightly and the staff partner will verify and sign off your timesheets. Non UK/international students – you are responsible for checking that you can undertake paid work whilst studying here at KU. For more information click here

5.  Induction event

All successful SADRAS projects and their staff and student partners are required to attend a brief, informal induction session where we go through some important aspects about working with us through the year. There will be events at each campus towards the end of November. Watch this page for updates and dates…

 6.  Workshops

As a Student Partner you will have the opportunity to attend a range of development workshops to help you get the most out of your experience in a SADRAS project. Centred on themes that will help support your project and outline your experiences to future employers; these workshops are developed to help you get the most of being a SADRAS Student Partner. Full Workshops details will appear by the end of September, so check back for updated information.

7.  End of project event

Both Student and Staff Partners will be expected to showcase your project at an end of year event and be prepared to discuss your project with staff and students from across the university.

Download a SADRAS Application form Now!