{"id":6516,"date":"2026-08-11T11:43:27","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T10:43:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/LTAcademy\/?p=6516"},"modified":"2026-08-12T08:58:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T07:58:39","slug":"co-creation-and-partnership-for-inclusive-learning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/LTAcademy\/co-creation-and-partnership-for-inclusive-learning\/","title":{"rendered":"Co-creation and Partnership for Inclusive Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Context<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Co-creation and partnership play\u00a0a central role\u00a0in inclusive education. Engaging students as partners, rather than passive recipients, helps build ownership, strengthen belonging, and create learning environments where student perspectives genuinely shape educational experiences. Co-creation enriches learning by drawing on students\u2019 diverse identities,\u00a0backgrounds\u00a0and insights, helping to foster more culturally responsive pedagogies and inclusive academic spaces.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">At Cardiff, partnership is understood and implemented as a purposeful, enhancement-focused process in which staff and students work together, placing equal value on the distinct insights each brings. It emphasises transparency, shared decision-making, and involving students not only as contributors but as co-designers of learning practices and experiences.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For more information, see <a href=\"https:\/\/sites.cardiff.ac.uk\/education-development-toolkit\/\">Cardiff\u2019s Education Development Toolkit.<\/a><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Implementation<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Co-creation is participatory and reflective, evolving organically through dialogue and shared inquiry. Practical strategies for embedding co-creation could involve:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Collaborative teaching approaches that invite students to contribute their perspectives, enriching academic discussions.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Culturally responsive strategies that recognise and value students\u2019 varied experiences and identities.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Intentional communication, making clear that students are partners whose contributions influence real change.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">An important inclusivity consideration is that co-creation must avoid unintentionally privileging\u00a0already-confident\u00a0or well-connected students. Without thoughtful design, partnership activity risks becoming accessible only to a small group of \u201csuper-engaged\u201d students. Intentional planning is needed to widen participation and ensure all students, particularly those facing hidden or structural barriers, have opportunities to contribute.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Spotlight from Practice <\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Across the University, staff are adopting a range of partnership approaches, from co-designing learning activities to involving students in problem framing, reviewing assessment practices, and shaping programme-level enhancements.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">On Wednesday 17 June 2026, Heather Pennington and Dr Alyson Lewis, co-leads of the Associate Fellowship Programme, worked with Dr Michael Willett and Dr Laura Barritt, Fellowship leads, to\u00a0facilitate\u00a0their annual co-creation event. Over the past three years, these events have brought together Fellowship participants, mentors,\u00a0previous\u00a0cohorts\u00a0and alumni to\u00a0identify\u00a0educational challenges and collaboratively develop practical responses.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This year\u2019s event responded directly to feedback from Fellowship participant forums, where colleagues\u00a0identified\u00a0a need for greater support in managing challenging behaviours and\u00a0difficult situations\u00a0in educational contexts. Rather than developing resources centrally, the Fellowship community was invited to work together to explore the issue, share experiences and co-create resources for future use.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The event\u00a0demonstrated\u00a0how professional learning can be shaped by authentic practitioner needs and the\u00a0expertise\u00a0that exists across a professional community. Participants were not simply asked to comment on pre-existing materials; through dialogue,\u00a0reflection\u00a0and shared inquiry, they actively contributed to shaping resources that will inform future iterations of the Fellowship Programme. The process therefore generated not only practical\u00a0outputs, but\u00a0also strengthened relationships and collective learning across the Fellowship community.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For more information, see<a href=\"https:\/\/sites.cardiff.ac.uk\/education-development-toolkit\/\"> Cardiff\u2019s Education Development Toolkit<\/a>.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Impact<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW22083312 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW22083312 BCX8\">Where co-creation is embedded in practice, colleagues\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW22083312 BCX8\">observe<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW22083312 BCX8\">\u00a0more responsive and inclusive learning environments with increased student ownership and richer dialogue. Engaging students in decision-making\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW22083312 BCX8\">provides<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW22083312 BCX8\">\u00a0valuable insight into learners\u2019 experiences and the barriers they\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW22083312 BCX8\">encounter<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW22083312 BCX8\">, enabling changes that are more\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW22083312 BCX8\">equitable<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW22083312 BCX8\">\u00a0and better aligned with learner needs.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP Selected SCXW22083312 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Reflections \/ what\u2019s next?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As educators, we can develop our partnership practices by asking:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Whose voices are shaping my module, and who is missing from the conversation?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Where could students be more involved in shaping learning design, assessment, or feedback processes?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How am I signalling that students\u2019 contributions are not only welcome but influential?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Effective co-creation is transparent, inclusive, and grounded in mutual respect.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"post-6131 media-6131\" class=\"image align-none\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/LTAcademy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/286\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-02-26-103001.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"218\" height=\"287\" \/><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A \u2018Starter for ten\u2019<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"image align-none\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As a prompt, to get ideas flowing, here are a few questions to help you reflect on this aspect of inclusive education within your own context:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How might you create a small co-design activity in your next module?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Which students might be unintentionally excluded from partnership opportunities?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What is one decision you could make with students, rather than for them?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This blog post highlights how co-creation and partnership between staff and students foster more inclusive, responsive, and equitable educational experiences by valuing student voices, sharing decision-making, and ensuring all learners have meaningful opportunities to shape teaching, learning, and programme 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