From transaction to dialogue: engaging with student voice to co-produce inclusive policies and practices in higher education

As universities, within the UK and internationally, strive to promote equality, diversity and inclusion in their practices, policies and, ultimately, cultures, it is imperative to prioritise student voice and co-production with equity-denied groups. This study examines students’ views, particularly those of equity-denied groups, on student voice mechanisms and explores opportunities to develop more inclusive approaches to policy and practice design in higher education. This article draws on the literature on co-production and student-staff partnerships to critically explore the process of moving from transactional to dialogical approaches to eliciting and responding to the ‘student voice’, emphasising how relationship builiding in policy design can facilitate a more inclusive environment. The article is underpinned by student-led focus groups with students, a survey and roundtable discussions with Equality, Diversity and Inclusion leads nationally. The findings emphasise the importance of moving from transactional feedback methods towards adopting a dialogical, partnership-based approach to policy and practice design and evaluation. The article contributes a framework for when and how to co-produce with students in higher education, particularly those from equity denied groups. We contend that when conducted meaningfully, promoting dialogical student voice mechanisms and co-producing change with students can enhance student experience and ultimately inclusion, while promoting social justice in higher education.