Co-production with staff and students: Principles and practices for promoting equality and change

Abstract

This document serves as a guide for implementing co-production in the development of policy and practice within HE settings. It explores how co-production can be embedded more broadly across institutions through the engagement of key stakeholders who should have opportunities to have a meaningful role as change agents or partners in driving meaningful development of policies and practices within HE. As part of the Equality Analysis Framework, it gives particular focus to how co-production can underpin an equality impact assessment process to support effective and inclusive decision-making. However, these principles encourage co-production approaches throughout institutional decision-making from the inception of policies/practices through to monitoring and evaluation. This means that co-production cultures are encouraged prior to commencing an equality impact assessment process, as detailed further in the Equality Analysis Framework through capacity building on developing and embedding cultures of co production in higher education institutions. This document seeks to assist in this capacity building. Drawing on data from student focus groups as part of the research project (Davies et al., 2025) that underpins these principles, the guide highlights the importance of inclusive collaboration that aligns with principles of social justice and contributes to broader institutional development. The discussion of co-production draws upon wider context of public sector efforts to foster cultural change. The document recognises both the potential and the challenges of co production, acknowledging that while the process can be demanding, it is a critical step toward creating more equitable, inclusive and responsive HE environments.