Richmond academics highlight staff role in student well-being at RAISE Conference

Two members of our faculty, Dr Afsane Riazi, Associate Professor in Psychology and Theano Lianidou, Associate Professor in Management, recently represented the University’s Wellbeing Research Centre (WRC) at the Researching, Advancing, and Inspiring Student Engagement (RAISE) Conference 2025, held in Glasgow.

As part of the conference programme, Dr Riazi presented research developed jointly with Lianidou, exploring the role of academic staff in supporting student well-being within the wider context of student voice in higher education. The presentation formed part of sector-wide discussions on engagement, belonging, and inclusive learning environments.

The study, University staff’s role in student well-being: A focus group study, draws on focus groups with undergraduate and postgraduate students from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds. Findings highlight the significant impact that staff–student interactions have on students’ psychological, academic, and social experiences. Four key themes emerged: feeling understood during academic and social transitions, open communication and feedback, the classroom as a safe space, and staff influence on coping strategies and academic engagement.

Reflecting on the event, Dr Riazi said:

“Attending the conference was a valuable opportunity to present our research findings on the role that faculty play in supporting student well-being. Students spoke about the importance of feeling understood, having open communication with faculty, and learning in environments where they feel safe and respected. It was encouraging to see how strongly these themes resonated across the sector.”

The research underscores the importance of empathy, flexibility, and open communication in teaching practice, and reinforces the role of academic staff as key contributors to student well-being. These insights offer valuable implications for institutional policy and pedagogical approaches aimed at enhancing student engagement and support.

More information about the conference is available on the RAISE Network website here.