Student Voice Framework

Student voice - Get involved

What is Student Voice? 

At Adelaide University, Student Voice means students and staff working in partnership to improve learning, services, and the experience of studying - on campus and online.

It covers sharing feedback, contributing ideas, and taking part in the initiatives and decisions that shape student life.

Student Voice is not only about giving feedback. It's about what happens next: we listen, we respond, and we use what students tell us to inform change.

When students are involved in meaningful ways, the University is better informed, more inclusive, and more reflective of the communities it serves.

Student Voice Framework (SVF)

The Adelaide University Student Voice Framework (SVF) provides a shared approach to how Student Voice operates across the University. 

The Framework: 

  • Sets out the principles that guide student–staff partnerships 
  • Describes different ways students can be involved, from sharing feedback to co-designing initiatives 
  • Supports consistent, meaningful engagement across committees, forums, and projects 
Explore the Student Voice Framework
Two students looking at a laptop

Why your Student Voice matters

For students:

Share your perspective, help shape change, and take up opportunities that improve your university experience.

For staff:

Use student insight to inform decisions and improve programs, services and communication.

For Adelaide University:

Build a culture of partnership, inclusion and continuous improvement, grounded in student experience.

Our guiding principles:

Inclusive - We want to hear from every student, so we work to remove barriers like time, cost or confidence.

Genuine empowerment - Your voice counts. We act on feedback and tell you what changed.

Reciprocity - Partnership should benefit both sides. You build skills and experience while helping drive real change.

How can you get involved? 

There are four ways to participate in Student Voice: 

Inform is about keeping students up to date with important information that supports their study and university experience. 

At this level of engagement, students receive clear, timely updates about what’s happening across Adelaide University, including key dates, services, events, and changes that may affect them. 

This includes: 

  • University emails and announcements 
  • From A to U Newsletter  
  • Information shared through official social media channels 
  • Informing students ensures everyone has access to the information they need to navigate university life and make informed decisions. 

Ready to inform? Contact our Student Communication team on studentcomms@adelaide.edu.au  

Consult focuses on actively seeking student feedback to help inform decisions, planning, and improvements across the University. 

At this level of engagement, students are invited to share their perspectives, experiences, and ideas on specific topics or initiatives. This feedback helps shape how services, events, communications, and aspects of the student experience are designed and delivered. 

This includes: 

  • Surveys and polls 
  • Targeted feedback requests 
  • Involvement as volunteers for events or initiatives 
  • Consulting students ensures decisions are informed by real student experiences and reflect the needs of the broader student community. 

Ready to consult?  Connect with your Student Communication team on studentcomms@adelaide.edu.au.

Want to get involved as a volunteer? Find volunteering opportunities. 

Partner is about students working alongside staff as equal contributors to design, develop, and improve programs, projects, and initiatives. 

At this level of engagement, students are actively involved throughout the process, from identifying issues and generating ideas to co-designing solutions and reviewing outcomes. Students’ lived experiences are valued as expertise and directly influence what is created. 

This includes: 

  • Focus groups and co-design workshops 
  • Committees and working groups 
  • Course and program reviews 
  • User experience workshops and testing 

Partnering with students ensures initiatives are informed by real experiences and are more relevant, inclusive, and effective. 

Connect with our Student Voice team at studentvoice@adelaide.edu.au.  

Decision Makers recognises students as leaders who play an active role in shaping decisions, leading initiatives, and influencing the direction of the University. 

At this level of engagement, students take on leadership roles with real responsibility and impact. They help set priorities, lead projects, and contribute to decisions that affect the wider student community and the future of Adelaide University. 

This includes: 

  • Leading student clubs and representative bodies 
  • Participation in student councils and representative committees 
  • Contributing to policy development and governance 
  • Co-research and strategic projects with staff 

Student leaders bring lived experience, insight, and accountability to decision-making, ensuring outcomes reflect student needs and perspectives. 

Want to get involved? Contacts our Student Voice team at studentvoice@adelaide.edu.au.