‘You’re in the wrong seat’: exploring the manifestation of power in higher education governance through the lens of student governors

Abstract

ABSTRACT Students who serve on the governing body of UK and Irish higher education institutions often report challenges due to a perceived power dynamic. This study explored the perspectives of power among current and former student governors (n = 14). This research highlighted the importance of power and its role in determining the influence (or lack of) held by various governing body members. With limited experience of the corporate environment, students hold less power than other governors, particularly external members, and senior managers whose capital is better aligned to these spaces. Though student governors seek empowerment from other members, this research highlights an overreliance on personal relationships at the expense of building an institutional culture that values student governors and commits to supporting their engagement through training and mentoring. Several practical recommendations are proposed – highlighting how governing body chairs, other governors and university staff can support students to overcome established power dynamics.