About the project
Project duration: 2023/24 academic year
Course programme: Graphic Design Communication
Courses involved:
- BA Graphic and Media Design (re-approval)
- MA Design and Visual Communication (re-approval)
- MA Graphic Design online (validation)
Changemakers involved: Lara Geary (LCC Changemaker 2023-2024)
Context
When new courses are developed or existing ones undergo periodic revisions, the designated LCC Changemaker collaborates with stakeholders to provide feedback, ensuring that principles of racial and social justice, as well as decoloniality, are upheld.
In this case study, we will demonstrate how LCC Changemakers approach the process through the work of LCC Changemaker Lara.
Collaborative work
“This is not a solitary endeavour; it is essential to make friends and non-friends, be present and listen, and understand when to speak up and when to value the position of listener and observer.”
Lara Geary (LCC Changemaker, 2023-2024)
Setting up a fruitful working relationship I met with the Programme Director where we set the parameters of our interactions.
Connecting to the course
In the process, I helped the course leaders convey the excellent work on social justice and equality already underway in the course handbook. This often involved refining language and terminology that were not sufficiently detailed in the handbooks.
We ensured the course handbook reflects more accurately course experiences and practices.
Understanding and centring the student experience
There was a selection of students and student reps involved in the reapproval; their feedback was insightful towards my handbook comments.
We as LCC Changemakers believe that students are a great place to start any work we do.
The collective space: Course committees
Course committees were where I kept up with the courses. They also provided an opportunity to connect with a range of partners, including course reps, course leaders, the programme director and other staff members involved.
Shared feedback process
On a shared handbook document, I:
- offered my comments across the units
- gave my suggestions and edits
- set tasks for the course leader
- read other readers’ comments, reflected and then offered further comments.
The process was long but shared, involving iterative cycles of collaborative work.
