Staff-student partnerships in pedagogic research : the benefits for students' development of research competencies

This paper presents the rationale for, and the outcomes of, staff-student partnerships in developing research projects that aim to enhance the academic experience of undergraduate students at a post- 1992 English university. The results of an evaluation study, conducted in 2013-14, with staff and students who participated in the Student Academic Development Research Associate Scheme (SADRAS) will be presented and discussed. The data from this study was collected through a questionnaire delivered to students and staff involved in the scheme. The findings demonstrate the benefits of the scheme for the learning gains of students, with a focus on the development of research competencies, and provide a rich insight into the awareness and understanding of staff-student engagement in research related activities, reinforcing the importance of engaging students in a research environment. A valuable aspect of this study lies in its use of data viewed through the lenses of staff and students to investigate the research competencies that students developed as a result of participating in the scheme