Call for interviews on the experience of academic and professional staff supporting students in their first year of university
Are you a course convener of a first-year subject, or a professional staff member working with students during their first year, and would like to share your experience supporting students to help us get a better understanding of your teaching pedagogy and available supports?
We are looking for current academic and professional staff who have worked with students during their first year at university to participate in an individual interview to share your experiences and feelings. While we are particularly interested your experience supporting students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds (i.e. from a rural or remote location, first-generation to attend university, from a low-socioeconomic background or students with a disability), we would love to hear from any staff who have worked with any first-year students of any background.
The findings of this study may have important implications for the programs we run to support academic staff and students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds at ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵinto the future.
This interview will be conducted via Zoom and will take approximately an hour to complete. It is preferrable for the interview to be recorded in order to minimise misunderstanding about what was said, however having the interview recorded is optional and the interviewer can take written notes instead. Eligible academic staff who participate in an interview will receive ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵbranded merchandise as a thank you for their time. Any participation in this study is voluntary and will not impact your employment at the ANU. Register your interest to participate .
For more information, please email the researcher at sarah.swenson@anu.edu.au .
The ethical aspects of this research have been approved by the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵHuman Research Ethics Committee (2026/0360).