Can You Hear Me? Empowering From Afar: The Impact of Participating in Staff Recruitment on the Student Experience of HE Distance Learners

Abstract

This paper explores the impact of student participation in staff recruitment processes at a UK distance learning Higher Education Institution, examining its contribution to quality in teaching and learning. Drawing on Self-Determination Theory, the study investigates how students’ involvement in high-level decision-making affects their sense of agency, wellbeing, and belonging. Using creative, arts-based methods, three distance students reflected on their experiences through visual representations and follow-up narrative interviews. Findings indicate that authentic student voice activities can enhance students’ perceptions of educational quality, promote a sense of inclusion, and support emotional and academic wellbeing. Participants reported increased confidence, respect for the institution, and clarity of purpose in their studies. This research highlights the value of embedding student voice across institutional practices and proposes a more holistic, participatory approach to quality that reflects the realities of distance education and the diverse identities of students.