EDI in academic libraries: report available
A complimentary summary report and the full research report from our unique qualitative project on Black students' experience in academic libraries are now available.
Student experience
The rising need for student mental health and wellbeing support
Student mental health and wellbeing have been high on the university agenda since it was recognised that there appeared to be higher levels of mental distress amongst students compared to their non-student peers.[1] Coupled with the intimate link between achieving academic success and strong mental health, the case for university and students’ unions’ teams to focus on developing their wellbeing…
Research-led strategy secures over £400,000 investment for Westminster Students’ Union
A new strategic plan at Westminster Students’ Union is leading to big improvements for students. The new strategy has been built upon intelligence generated by Alterline into the lives and needs of students’ and has already secured over £400,000 investment to improve the social spaces on offer at one of the Unions central London locations. Alterline's intelligence report highlighted a…
Students’ Unions and their role in student wellbeing
Rightly much attention is currently being paid to the issue of mental health on campuses with many new policies and initiatives, both nationally and locally. Students’ unions are keen to play their part and do all they can to contribute to members’ wellbeing and yet when it comes to practical actions many unions find themselves under resourced to meet the…
Being well, doing well re-launched for 23/24
We continue to build on the evidence gathered to date and work with both university and union teams to generate insight and solutions based on student voice.
“What does a tick mean?!” Exploring poor experiences of assessment and feedback through student experience research
Since the advent of the National Student Survey (NSS) assessment and feedback has received consistently lower ratings compared to other areas, however concerns in this area have been highlighted in institutional experience surveys going as far back as the late 1980s. The result is neither good for students nor good for institutions facing increased pressure from the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). …
New project announcement:
University of Glasgow
We are thrilled to announce a new project with the University of Glasgow. Working with the Student Services Team we are supporting them in developing an innovative model for delivering services, help and support in the new space. Keen to put students at the heart of the process, the Student Services team has commissioned Alterline to run a series of focus groups with students to explore their current experiences of campus services and future aspirations for the Learning and Teaching Hub.
The Power of Ethnography: Driving improvements in university libraries
Ethnography literally means ‘a portrait of a people’. An ethnography is a written description of a particular culture – the customs, beliefs, and behaviour – based on information collected through fieldwork.Marvin Harris - Anthropologist Developed from the academic discipline of cultural anthropology, ethnography is the study of people in their natural environment. It is increasingly being used by market researchers…
Student Recipes
Student Street is the home of student insight; it’s where you’ll find the things we observe and discover during our time talking to, and living alongside, students. Wanting to know what's going on in students' kitchens we asked three students to cook us their typical meal. Allyson For Allyson keeping a balanced diet is really important. In the video above,…
New project announcement:
campusM – Student Digital Journeys
We are thrilled to announce that we have been commissioned by campusM to conduct an exciting study into the digital lives of students.
Working with partner universities across the globe, the project will investigate students’ digital habits, help map their daily digital journeys, understand what frustrates them and identify where the experience can be improved.
The insight gathered will help participating universities improve digital services on campus, directly feed into campusM’s development, and ultimately improve the student experience.
“We are looking forward to working with Alterline on this exciting project. Digital technology has become an area of increasing interest on campus, but it is only by asking the students who use it about their experiences that we can help institutions make sure they are delivering what their students want, in the way that they want it. At campusM we pride ourselves in enabling universities to enhance the student experience, and this work with Alterline will help us to continue to do this, supported by a real understanding of what students want and expect.”
– Matt Sherlock, Product Director at campusM