The aim of this SIG is to bring together colleagues from across the College to facilitate the sharing of good practice, resources and innovative ideas for supporting student transition and progression. It will consider transition and progression in the broad sense from school to university, across years, into post-graduate studies, and into employment. These different domains of transition will allow this SIG to have a wider appeal to different stakeholders in the Imperial community.
Transition into higher education degrees, whether UG or PG, is a time of challenge for students and encompassing many areas such as academic and social integration, transferable skills development (including academic, technical and metacognition), student identity, disciplinary and professional identity. This SIG aims to create a forum where colleagues from diverse groups, including teachers, under/postgraduate liaison officers, academic support units, graduate school, careers service and the student union, can collectively contribute to a dialogue around transitions. We aim to bridge knowledge gaps by utilising institutional expertise to assist departments and others in promoting and supporting transition-related activities and initiatives. To address the multifaceted nature of transition and progression, each SIG meeting will focus on a specific theme, such as admissions, skills development, induction and continuing support for the undergraduate academic journey, supporting Imperial and non-Imperial postgraduate transitions, etc. We recognise the importance for in-depth discussions and propose a meeting format that includes panel discussions, presentations from different departments and services, and World Café-style engagement to encourage diverse perspectives. Such diverse formats will allow for a more thorough exploration of ideas and practices, fostering an environment where good practices can be shared and adapted.
This year, the SIG is co-lead by:
- Tiffany Chiu (Principal Teaching Fellow in Educational Development - Centre for Higher Education Research and Scholarship)
- Magda Charalambous (Principal Lecturer - Faculty of Natural Sciences)
- Jackie Bell (Principal Teaching Fellow - Faculty of Engineering)
- Jon Fenton (Senior Strategic Teaching Fellow - Faculty of Natural Sciences)
Meeting Schedule:
We convene once a term to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate and contribute. These meetings serve as a forum for lively discussions, presentations, demonstrations, and networking opportunities.
Communication Channels:
Our primary communication platform is Microsoft Teams. Here, you'll find updates on upcoming events (General Channel).
If you would like to join a SIG, fill out the form here to be added to the mailing list. You will then be informed about future activities
Meeting history
View the recording of this event (Imperial log in required).
Agenda
12.00 – Enhancing Student Transition and Progression Launch Presentation and Mentimeter question: ‘What transition and progression issues are relevant in your practice/context?’
12.15 – ICU Enhancing Student Transition and Progression Presentation by Andreea Cojocea (Deputy President, Welfare) and Yi Yang (Deputy President, Education) from the Student Union. Followed by Q+A.
13.00 – Small group discussion and joint discussion on ‘How have the SU presentations informed or challenged your thinking about student transition and progression?’
13.25 – SIG wrap-up
Summary
The Enhancing Student Transition and Progression SIG Launch meeting featured insights from the Student Union’s perspectives. Members shared issues and thoughts on student transition and progression and recognised the importance of fostering a platform where practices and resources can be shared and adapted. Discussions also highlighted the need for creating opportunities that enable students to succeed once they arrive at Imperial (where traditionally much of our focus has been on improving ‘access’). Members are also encouraged to use the SIG Teams space to continue sharing thoughts, resources and connecting with each other.
View the recording of this event (Imperial log in required).
Agenda
12:00 - Lunch and Networking
12:15 - Presentation and Q&A: 'Faculty of Engineering New Starter's Programme for WP Students', by Dr Jackie Bell (Project Lead), Department of Computing, and Mohammed Tayyab Khalid, Electrical and Electronic Engineering
12:45 - Presentation 'Supporting the Transition of Masters' Students into their PhD Programme', by Dr Helal Ahmed, Graduate School
13:15 - Networking
Summary
Wraparound support for undergraduate and postgraduate students was discussed, following presentations by Jackie Bell and Helal Ahmed showcasing current support for undergraduate widening participation students in the Faculty of Engineering and postgraduate taught students embarking on PhD study at Imperial, led by the Graduate School. An interactive discussion followed each presentation, linking ideas with Imperial’s new Access and Participation Plan (APP) and further collaborative projects between departments and faculties.
View the recording of this event (Imperial log in required).
Agenda
12:05 - Presentation: Transition Support for Underrepresented Students - US & NZ Learnings by Ali Lyons, Evaluation Manager, Outreach followed by Q&A
12:40 - Presentation: Outreach at Imperial by Mel Bottrill, Head of Outreach Programmes followed by Q&A
13:15 - Information about the Attributes and Aspirations short course from Katie Dallison, Careers
13:20 - Discussion in groups
Summary
Ali Lyons shared insights on innovative support strategies for underrepresented students from her research on seven key programmes across six universities in the US and New Zealand: targeting, aims and formats, and how these programmes integrate with wider university support systems. She also considered some best practice elements which can be applied in the UK context.
Mel Bottrill also gave a very helpful presentation about Outreach work at Imperial, describing who the Outreach team are, what they do, where and why.
View the recording of this event (Imperial log in required).
Agenda
Transitions to UG and PG study – a departmental approach (DoLS)
Undergraduate transitions - Amelia Barron ( Undergraduate Liaison Office) followed by Q + A
Postgraduate transitions at Silwood Park Campus - Clara Bradbury (Post Graduate Student Experience Coordinator ) followed by Q + A
Summary
The meeting considered undergraduate and postgraduate (taught Masters) transitions to the Department of Life Sciences. Amelia and Clara talked about the many initiatives that have been put in place over the last couple of years since they joined the department. On the UG front, a recent website (Biosphere) has been created with StudentShapers to provide information to students before they arrive and to help to manage expectations. We heard that community building events such as CommuniTea and Bowling have been great successes and that there have been many wellbeing events including Therapy Dog days. On the PG front, Clara spoke about resources for students at the Silwood Park Campus, including the importance of understanding cultural differences, the need for community building and also the difficulty at times of getting students to attend events. There was lots of discussion around both talks, sharing information and practice. One fabulous impact of the meeting was that PG student experience staff from different campuses were reaching out to each other to form a network, and we look forward in future to hearing about that initiative.
Agenda
12:00 – Introduction
12:05 – Presentation: Outduction – Supporting Transition from University to the World Beyond
Joint talk by Inkeri Hibbins (Head of Student Hub, Registry) and Sai Nathan (Student Liaison Officer, Mathematics) followed by discussion
12:35 – Lunch and networking
12:50 – Presentation: Graduate Insights: Employer Perspectives & Career Support
Talk by Katie Dallison (Careers Service) followed by discussion
13:20 – Networking and ideas for roundtable discussion at the summer SIG meeting
Summary
Inkeri Hibbins and Sai Nathan delivered a joint presentation on “Outduction” – a concept and practice focused on the transition out of university. The talk shared the Mathematics Department's Outduction Programme, which has been running since 2019. Developed in response to graduate feedback and expanded on using ideas from “Improving the student experience: a practical guide for universities and colleges” (ed. Morgan, 2012) and The Student Transitions Model (Morgan, 2005), the programme provides support for final-year undergraduates and MSc students. It includes events and workshops delivered by cross-departmental teams including International Student Services, Careers, Student Funding, Alumni, Wellbeing, etc. The speakers also shared how the programme has evolved over time to meet changing student needs.
Katie Dallison from the Careers Service followed with a session on Transitions: An Employer's View, offering insights into how employers view Imperial graduates, what support new starters typically receive, and how Imperial is helping students prepare for this transition. She also provided an update on the current graduate labour market.
View the recording of this event (Imperial log in required).
Agenda
12:00 – Introduction
12:05 – Presentation 1: Learning Well in Practice – Engaging Students with Evidence-Based Strategies to Enhance Study and Wellbeing
Talk by Dr Tiffany Chiu and Dr Sue Sing (CHERS), followed by a small group discussion
12:45 – Presentation 2: Embedding Physical Activity into Student Life
Talk by Abby Sanderson (Wellbeing Manager, Move Imperial), followed by Q&A
13:20 – Wrap up and Networking
Summary
Tiffany Chiu and Sue Sing opened the session by introducing the Learning Well project, which aims to embed wellbeing and evidence-based study strategies into students' academic experiences. The presentation highlighted the learning resources co-developed with student partners to empower students to make proactive, informed decisions about how to approach their studies in ways that also support their wellbeing. Attendees were invited to reflect on how the Learning Well resources could be applied within their own teaching or support contexts to help students learn more effectively and sustainably.
Abby Sanderson followed with a presentation from Move Imperial, showcasing innovative initiatives that promote physical activity as a key part of student life. Abby discussed how movement-based initiatives can enhance the overall student experience, support a smoother transition into university life and positively impact social and emotional wellbeing of students. The presentation emphasised the importance of accessible, inclusive approaches to encouraging movement.
Meeting History
View the recording of this event (Imperial log in required).
Agenda
12:00 – Introduction
12:05 – Presentation 1: Pre-sessional study as a means of supporting international students transition to Imperial by Simon Goff and Tim Birkett, Centre for Academic English (CfAE)
12:45 – Presentation 2: Student transitions in Chemistry: Insights from a cross-university collaboration by Dr Charlotte Sutherell (Department of Chemistry) and Mya Dodhia (King’s College London)
13:25 – Wrap up
Summary
The session began with a presentation by Simon Goff and Tim Birkett from the Centre for Academic English, who shared insights into how Imperial’s pre-sessional courses are carefully designed to support international STEM students. The courses aim to enhance students’ academic communication, create opportunities for active learning and provide multiple opportunities for students to engage with Imperial’s facilities and research. Importantly, the courses also help students develop social and peer support networks before term begins. The presentation prompted discussion about the holistic nature of transition support and the value of pre-arrival engagement.
Dr Charlotte Sutherell and Mya Dodhia then presented early findings from a multi-institutional research project on first-year UK chemistry undergraduates’ transitions to university. Drawing on survey data from 588 students across four universities, the project explores how protected characteristics and widening participation factors shape students’ expectations, sense of belonging, and confidence in academic discourse. Discipline-specific issues such as lab preparation and curriculum alignment were also discussed, with the aim of informing more inclusive and effective induction and ongoing academic support.
TBA
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