- Advising will vary across disciplines & Faculties
- Not 'one size fits all', rather 'freedom within a framework'
- Therefore, not the same, but equitable across areas
- A two pronged approach between Uni/OCAED and your subject team/line manager/Faculty
Academic Advising at Oxford Brookes - approach, commitment and principles
Student Advisees and Staff Academic Advisers will be allocated at the start of each academic year. There is an improved dashboard for you to see who your Advisees are. Please see the Academic Advisor Data Resources document which contains links to the dashboards and supporting guides on how to use them.
What we tell students about Advising is contained in the student webpage on Academic Advising and it is also mentioned in the Academic Guidance: What to expect document and the Quick Start Guide.
As a minimum, the Academic Advisor will:
- undertake two hours of scheduled Academic Advising tutorials, per Advisee, spread across the academic year. Timetabled Academic Advising may include group and/or 1-2-1 tutorials. The format will vary across disciplines to best fit the needs of each programme. They may be in person, or online;
- document participation in the timetabled Academic Advising Tutorials for monitoring purposes;.
- send communications across the academic year offering timely signposting to relevant information advice and guidance and reminding Advisees of the role, availability and contact details of their Advisor;
- invite Advisees to contact their Academic Advisor to discuss their academic progress, successes or concerns that they might need to address;
- sign post the Advisee to other more specialised University services and support when and where appropriate, for example when their developmental or support needs exceed the academic responsibility and expertise of the Academic Advisor.
These principles have been informed by the NUS’s Academic Support Benchmarking Tool (NUS, 2015a) and Charter on Personal Tutors (NUS, 2015b), the UK Advising and Tutoring association’s Professional Framework for Advising and Tutoring (UKAT, 2019) and a consultation exercise undertaken with staff and students in 2019/20.
The principles constitute a generic framework for effective advising to be interpreted by departments in terms of what works best for you and your students. The diversity of subject discipline and student cohort across the institution means that Academic Advising will legitimately vary according to teaching context. It is acknowledged that ‘one size does not fit all’ and an ethos of ‘freedom within a framework’ should exist. They are for supporting all students on taught programmes.
The Oxford Brookes Academic Advising system provides:
| Principle | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1. A key element of integrated academic and pastoral support | Academic Advisors and advising sessions are positioned as one element of a support network. It is clear to students how those staff work together to provide holistic support. Sessions should be consistent with or contribute to the delivery of the Education and Enterprise Pillar of Oxford Brookes University Strategy 2035. Information about advising and adjunct services (purpose, roles and expectations) for students and staff need to be clear, accessible and up to date. This will enable effective signposting (for example, for further pastoral care) where relevant. |
| 2. Personalised support | Wherever possible, every student has a named advisor for the duration of their programme of study. Should it be necessary, there is a clear process for students to change advisor. |
| 3. A structured advising programme by discipline or subject | Subject areas should offer advising programmes that are timetabled and collectively planned. Flexibility will be shown for specific student groups. |
| 4. Regular structured interactions that are based on clear agreed expectations | Sessions need to be purposeful and planned. AA sessions are spaces to recalibrate expectations of support with a view to developing student autonomy. |
| 5. Student reflection, development and recognition of achievement | Sessions are spaces to support shared and personal reflections and stocktaking. Staff are trained to listen and to appreciate the unique background and profile of each student. |
| 6. Academic and career goal setting | Sessions address academic and long-term career goals as well as support students who feel unsure about their future. This can be in partnership with the Careers Service as appropriate. |
| 7. Support for effective learning | Advising is teaching and sessions provide a space devoted to learning to learn within your discipline. The background and starting point of each student will be taken into account. |
| 8. Proactive monitoring of student progression | Institutional data on student attendance and performance (as proxies for engagement) can inform advisors’ discussions with students. This discussion can be student led and low tech options can be explored. |
In 2020-21, OCSLD (now OCAED) formed a Scholarship Group which identified and undertook seven projects exploring the position of Academic Advising at Brookes. These have contributed to the shape of the revised Academic Advising Strategy and Policy and the enhanced provision of Academic Advising activity and governance.
Project titles and leaders
- An evaluation of the current academic advising provision for Oxford Brookes University BSc Physiotherapy by Physiotherapy students and staff (Belinda Twissell, HLS)
- The potential role of an Academic Advisee Buddy Group in building a sense of community and enhancing the student experience for BSc (Hons) Nutrition students (Rianne Costello, HLS)
- Academic Advisors’ Role in supporting students with Inclusive Support Plans (ISPs). (Carmel Capewell, HSS)
- How might the Academic Advising role help student nurses develop the required professional values and associated behaviours in preparation for future employment? (Sue Chilton, HLS)
- The scope of Inclusive Academic Advising in supporting students with mental health needs. (Pras Ramluggun, Rachel Barbaresi, Sarah Mansbridge, HLS)
- What feedback do academic advisees and their advisors have on the use of a google form containing questions and prompts for discussion during their first individual meeting on the physiotherapy programme? (Carol McNally, HLS)
- Inclusive academic advising. (Mary Davis, OBBS)
Sincere thanks goes to those who undertook this work. A top level synthesis of findings is presented below.
Summary findings
- Students and staff think that Academic Advising activity adds value to the learning/student experience
- Both students and staff find it valuable when it works and would like to see practice better supported.
- However, there is variation in practice both within and across faculties.
- The profile of the Advisee and Advisor roles should be raised, and their value and purpose clearly defined and communicated both to students and to staff.
- To do this, clearer guidance and support is needed for staff, including training, especially on issues around inclusion, such as Individual Support Plans and mental health.
Many of these findings are being addressed by the 2023-24 Advising Strategy and Policy which are reflected in these pages and accompanying training sessions. The authors of the reports or Ben Walker (bwalker@brookes.ac.uk) are happy to be contacted for further information about specific recommendations made.