Events

On 3 February 2002, the Centre for Academic Development hosted an online panel discussion on the topic of student mental health led by the Aberdeen Mental Health Group (AMHG) along with colleagues from Aberdeen University Student Association (AUSA), Student Learning Service and the School of Psychology. The AMGH panellists discussed what the university does well and what things in their experience might be improved. The staff panellists gave a short account of some of their experiences in supporting the mental health of our students.

Panel Members
Ivana Drdakova, AUSA Vice-President for Welfare (Chair)
Aberdeen Mental Health Group: 
   Holly Smith, President 
   Satu Astikainen, Secretary 
   Rosalia Macintosh-Prentice, Treasurer
   Clara Wilberforce, Second Year Representative
Dr Mary Pryor, Senior Academic Skills Adviser, Student Learning Service, Centre for Academic Development
Dr Jason Bohan, Director of Education/Senior Lecturer (Scholarship), School of Psychology

Please watch the captioned recording and view the AMHG slide presentation

If you have any questions, please contact the Centre for Academic Development

The Deep Dive event led by the Disabled Students' Forum in March 2021 received excellent feedback and requests for further events. We are pleased to build on this in 'Dive Even Deeper: Supporting the disabled student journey' which was held on Tuesday 31 August 2021 11.30-12.30 UK time. 

We explored the University structures and processes, and student experiences of them, in a constructive and supportive environment. There were presentations, breakout room discussions and a final open discussion. All staff and students were welcome.

Panel:
Professor Abbe Brown, Dean for Student Support (Chair)
Dr Julie Ross, Academic Skills Adviser, Dyslexia and other Specific Learning Differences, Centre for Academic Development
Lesley Muirhead, Acting Lead Student Support Adviser (Disability)
Sian Wallace, Education & Welfare Officer, Disabled Student's Forum
Rian-James Hiney, Convener, Disabled Students' Forum
Roma Dhasmana, Development Officer, Disabled Students' Forum

Please watch the captioned recording and view the slide presentations from Dr Julie Ross, Lesley Muirhead and the Disabled Students' Forum.

If you have any questions, please contact the Centre for Academic Development

In 2020, a successful series of events were held “Supporting Learning for Students from Diverse Ethnic, Cultural and Educational Backgrounds". We are delighted to build on this in 'Coping with Intercultural Challenges - Student Experiences' which was held on Wednesday 25 August 2021 at 10.00-11.30 UK time

At this session, the student panel members spoke about their views of intercultural communication. This was followed followed by discussion topics: managing intercultural communication; preparing for possible cultural challenges; good practices for better collaboration and possibly approaches; power dynamics; and different motivations for study. 

Panel:
Professor Abbe Brown, Dean for Student Support (Chair)
Kigbu Oghenegare Asheaba, Master of Public Health Student
Ima Sultana Charu, Master of Science in Policy Evaluation Student
Loulwah Serri, Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Epidemiology
Chetiya Anuk Wijesinghe, Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Studies
Maen Al-Tayyem, Degree of Master of Public Health Student

Please watch the captioned recording.

Please see the issues that we are currently exploring at our "Open to All" sessions.
Further information regarding the monthly "Open to all" sessions can be found below:
MS Teams Site
“Open to all”: a diversity and learning conversation.
Joining instructions: Open MS Teams and click “Join or create a team” in your teams list. Look for the “Join a team with a code” card and enter this code to join: xbp1daz The meeting link for the monthly meetings can be also be found in the ‘Meeting joining instructions’ channel.

If you have any questions, please contact the Centre for Academic Development

In 2020, a successful series of events were held “Supporting Learning for Students from Diverse Ethnic, Cultural and Educational Backgrounds”.  We are delighted to build on this in 'Coping with Intercultural Challenges - Staff Event' which was held on Tuesday 24 August 2021 at 10.00-11.30 UK time. 

The Centre for Academic Development and colleagues from the Business School, School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture, Aberdeen Confucius Institute and the Language Centre hosted a panel session which provided an open and supportive environment for intercultural communication discussion. Topics for discussion included: managing intercultural communication; preparing for possible cultural challenges; good practices for better collaboration and possibly approaches; power dynamics; and different motivations for study. 

Panel
Abbe Brown, Dean for Student Support (Chair)
Cheryl Dowie, Lecturer, Business School
Tania Fahey-Palma, Lecturer, School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture
Michelle MacLeod, Chair in Gaelic, Director of Aberdeen Confucius Institute
Alison McBoyle, Student Progression & Transition Manager, Language Centre

Please watch the captioned recording and view the slide presentations from Cheryl Dowie, Tania Fahey-Palma, Michelle MacLeod and Alison McBoyle.

If you have any questions, please contact the Centre for Academic Development

The Disabled Students' Forum and the Centre for Academic Development invited staff and PGRs who teach, to a student run discussion around experiences studying with disabilities.

This session was a welcoming environment for staff to hear the thoughts and concerns of disabled students and to ask them any burning questions around their experiences and how to support them in their academic ventures.

Please watch the recording and view the slide presentation

If you have any questions, please contact the Centre for Academic Development

Supporting Learning for Students from Diverse Ethnic, Cultural and Educational Backgrounds

The Centre for Academic Development and colleagues from the Schools of Business and Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition held a series of short, online sessions for University of Aberdeen teaching staff on ‘Supporting learning for students from diverse ethnic, cultural and educational backgrounds’.  Course Leads were Jennifer Duthie, Cheryl Dowie, Amudha Poobalan and Mark Whittington.  The three live, online (Blackboard Collaborate) sessions in this series are outlined below:

Any questions, please contact cad@abdn.ac.uk