In This Section
A forum brings together a group of individuals to learn about, discuss, and deliberate on a complex student issue or opportunity, and then give a considered opinion on what should happen.
The UCC Student Forum is based on the model of . A citizens' assembly is typically made up of between 50 and 250 people who are randomly selected to be broadly representative of the wider population in terms of demographics
Student fora/citizens鈥� assemblies give members the time and opportunity to learn about and discuss a topic. Participants are given a wide range of information presented to them by academics, researchers, people with direct experience of the issue, policymakers, other stakeholders, and campaigners. The evidence presented offers a balanced view on the issue and members are then given time to discuss what they have heard with one another and decide what they think.
Fora/assemblies usually last for two or more weekends and are coordinated by independent, expert facilitators, who help ensure that everyone's voice is heard. Once the assembly has ended, the recommendations are written up in a report to be presented to decision-makers.
Since 2004, citizens鈥� assemblies have been taking place around the world at the national and local level in Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Poland, among other countries.
Each iteration of the UCC Student Forum (or Forum) will bring together 68 students randomly selected from across the university (toegther with an independent Chair), from all walks of life who give their time to consider a topic, discuss the evidence and agree recommendations for consideration by UCC's Governing Body.
Further Reading
Key Principles聽
The UCC Student Forum will follow six key principles while undertaking its work:
Openness: At all times the Student Forum operate with transparency. All plenary meetings will be broadcast live via Social Media Channels. Decisions and documentation will be freely available.
Fairness: It is important that we allow the full spectrum of views to be heard on every issue and that our briefing material for Forum members is of the highest quality.
Equality of voice: Each member of the Forum will be given an opportunity to voice their opinions, should they so choose.
Efficiency: The Student Forum will make best use of our limited time together so as to cover all the topics. All documentation is circulated in advance so members can properly prepare for meetings.
Respect: It is important that members can freely and confidently make contributions and express their views without fear of personal attacks or criticism.
Collegiality: We will work together in a spirit of friendship.
Why a Student Forum is Appropriate
Diverse
鈥esembles the wider population in all its diversity, having been selected at random from that community to match the demographic characteristics of the population.
Deliberative
鈥oesn't aggregate 'top-of-the-head' opinions but fosters deeper, more considered judgments.
Lengthy
...is spacious in time; a Forum gives participants the chance to develop their understanding and challenge their assumptions as they go, before arriving at a series of recommendations.
Informed
...participants leave as experts in their own right, having heard from 鈥榳itnesses鈥� with professional, lived and academic experience of the topic at hand.
鈥楤y the people, for the people'
...recommendations are made by student members. They are published without revision, caveat or manipulation and are considered and responded to by decision-makers.
Professionally facilitated
...sessions are designed and impartially facilitated to enable rich and meaningful participation by all forum members, ensuring that everyone is given the space to express themselves freely.
A Work in Progress
A working group was set up in April 2021 and met regularly to consider how a Student Forum might work in UCC. The was identified as a good practice model along with the work of (UK鈥檚 leading public participation charity) to act as a guide to ongoing deliberations.
The working group comprised:
- Asha Woodhouse (Students鈥� Union President 21/22, 22/23); Naoise Crowley (Students鈥� Union President 20/21)
- Paul Moriarty (Director of Student Experience),
- Anne-Marie Curtin (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Unit),
- Deirdre Kearney (Academic Affairs and Governance)
- Michael O鈥橦alloran (Computer Centre)
- Martin Flynn (Access Office),
- Sin茅ad Roche (SU Education Officer 21/22)
- Stephen O'Riordan (SU Educaiton Officer 22/23)
- Niamh Kiely (CACSSS Student Rep 21/22)
- Verdi Ahern (Student Experience Project Officer & Action Owner)
An Expert Advisory Group was set up to advise in July 2021.
(see also ) for further background information on the model)