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Papers Authors Year 30 second summary
Durham Students' Survey 2024/25 Alterline, Durham SU 2025 849 Durham Students had their say in 2024/2025. They mostly agreed that student housing isn't afffordable and that a Durham University induction didn't set them up well as learners and citizens but it did help them have fun. Students' with disabilities and first generation students were less positive on many measures than other students. Most students loved their SU student groups, felt satisfied with the SU's Freshers' Fair , felt the SU represented their academic interests and that a collective body for students was needed. But they were more split on the big picture of the SU purpose and the effectiveness of its representatives, and while awareness of the SU's core services was high, these students didn't feel that the things most important to them - their academic success, cost of living and wellbeing - were the most important things to the SU.
Induction and Orientation Report Olivia Flavell 2024 Induction was named as one of Durham SU's stragetic goals to ensure that students get the best possible start at Durham University. In order to understand provision gaps in this area, the SU conducted Focus Groups with first year students to evaluate their induction experience and reflect on what could have been improved. We learnt that students have a stronger desire for community in spaces outside their college, and they often feel academically unprepared to behing their first year of study. Evaluating this feedback, reccommendations were put forward to tackle these two issues that resulted in a 'Best Practice' Induction Pilot.
Housing survey Alterline, Durham SU 2024 Affordability was top of mind for students when they looked for a property to rent. Substantial numbers of respondents felt that they did not have a choice in where to live. Students did not feel their student houses were good value for money, with mould, damp and poor complaint handling often cited concerns. Student described the impact of housing issues on their wellbeing and their studies as low. Most student relied on support from family and friends to afford their rent, and international students found the requirement for a guarantor challenging to meet. The survey ran over summer 2024 and had lower then desired participation, but insight was useful in establishing the Rate Your Landlord scheme.
Insight for Student Leaders: All Student Survey Coole Insight, Durham SU 2024 The pilot SU survey for all Durham Students' recorded student concerns about cost of student accommodation, mental health and the costs of living. Students who completed the survey were happy with their student group experience, feeling it added to their sense of belonging and helped them learn new things. We learnt that students are working more then ever, and that lack of time is often a barrier to engagement in extra-curricular activities. Respondents felt the need for an organisation for all students, and had a mixture of positive, negative and neutral feedback across different areas of the students' union.
Durham Student Leaders and Volunteers Survey Alterline, Durham SU 2025 We surveyed student leaders and volunteers across Durham SU student groups, Common Rooms, Team Durham and Durham Performing Arts and volunteer leaders to better understand their experiences. 87% of students positively rated their experience and said they took a sense of enjoyment from doing the role. Roles made them feel part of a community and meet others, helped to develop their skills, and meant that they were making a difference for other students and the wider community.
Leadership in Durham Report Abigail Lewis 2024 n/a

Older reports

Papers Authors Year
The Future of Prince Bishops Place Deborah Achaempong, Vasiliki Bathrelou, Ellie Scorah 2023
The Housing conversation response Dan Lonsdale, Vasiliki Bathrelou, Ellie Scorah 2023
Reinventing Renting in Durham Jack Ballingham, Vasiliki Bathrelou, Ellie Scorah 2023
Mental Health Survey report Jonah Graham, Vasiliki Bathrelou, Richard Bruce 2023
Culture Commission Seun Twins, Katie Shaw, Kim Schreck, Ellie Scorah 2022
Student Funding Gap Nicola Frampton 2020
Housing report Nicola Frampton 2019
Cost of Attendance David Evans, Nicola Frampton, Richard Bruce 2019
Accommodation fees Christine Stretesky 2018