I am pleased to announce that my proposal for my new project – Reflective Blogging for Impact: A Pathway to Employability, Equity, and Societal Impact in Higher Education – has been approved and funded with the support of a bursary for all students who participate. This marks a milestone in our Positive Academia mission to enhance learning and actively build more inclusive, equal, diverse, and supportive teaching and learning communities.
This project is part of the students as Co-Creators Program at the University of Westminster which is designed to empower students and staff to work together as equal partners. By embracing this approach, we are cultivating an environment where every voice matters, and learning is transformed into a collaborative and creative journey. This initiative enables students to shape their educational experience while gaining hands-on skills that extend beyond the classroom.
A Teaching Contribution to Positive Academia
At the heart of the Reflective Blogging for Impact project is my commitment to Positive Academia focused on:
- Collaboration over rigid hierarchy, bringing together students and staff as equal partners in teaching, learning and research
- Diversity in contributions, recognizing the unique perspectives, talents and ideas that each participant brings to the project.
- A supportive academic culture, where mentorship, creativity, and inclusivity thrive.
This project is a tangible expression of these values. By engaging students as co-creators, we are redefining what it means to teach, learn and grow in academia. We are not just focusing on infusing students with knowledge; we are crafting an academic community that supports, inspires, and empowers every contribution and action no matter how small or big – #EveryLittleActionCounts, #PositiveAcademia
What does this mean for the project?
- Collaboration with students to co-design and implement their perspectives through reflective blogging.
- Development of student leadership, teamwork, and project management skills that enhance their employability.
- Celebrate diverse ideas and perspectives as the foundation of our work.
- Equip students with real-world experience in developing their professional online profiles, self-branding, and promotion.
A shared vision for teaching and learning
While this is a small project, I see it as part of a larger mission to reimagine academia as a space where teaching and learning are dynamic, collaborative, and empowering. Through initiatives like this, we aim to craft a culture where students, staff, and their often-uncounted tasks are valued and heard, and inspire them to make sustainable contributions.
I am very grateful to the University of Westminster students and Co-Creators leads Fatima Maatwk and Sangya Tyagi, who supported this proposal and believe in the power of co-creation.
About the project
In today’s competitive and dynamic professional landscape, employability requires students to build multifaceted skills rooted in communication, critical thinking, and self-awareness. Thus, we must effectively nurture these qualities while promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion, and fostering societal contributions.
Our project applies reflective blogging as a transformative tool to achieve these goals. By putting students at the heart of the design, execution, and evaluation process, this initiative illuminates the value of reflective practices for diverse student populations in higher education. We are investigating how blogging can support students in:
Our ultimate goal is to create a replicable framework for integrating reflective blogging into university curricula, promoting employability, inclusivity, and meaningful contributions to society.
This project ensures students graduate as socially responsible, highly employable individuals ready to shape a better future by equipping them with the tools to navigate their professional and personal journeys.
Stay tuned for updates as we take this project forward together!