National Student Leadership Survey

Thank you for taking the time to be involved in this important research

Dear Student Leader,

You have been invited to complete this online survey because you have been identified as a student leader at your
University.

The results from this survey will address a number of pressing needs in Australian universities including:

1. Resources to support greater and valid student participation in learning, teaching and curriculum development.
2. Practical and productive models of effective partnerships between teachers and learners, to assure the student
learning quality of our universities.
3. Support for student leaders to participate in learning, teaching and curriculum development, resulting in additional
benefits for the higher education sector and Australia more generally.

For the purpose of this survey, curriculum encompasses both formal and informal learning opportunities, including
face to face classes and online learning.

The survey should only take you about 15­20 minutes to complete. It is comprised of approximately 30 questions,
designed to explore your experience as a student leader, and includes a mix of multiple choice and short answers.

Participation in this research is completely voluntary and all responses are anonymous.

Participants who complete the survey also have the option to enter a prize draw. There will be 10 prizes on offer,
including a choice of movie or iTunes vouchers of $30.00 each. To be eligible, you must a)complete all compulsory
survey questions, b) be studying at an Australian University, c) leave your contact details, and d) indicate that you
would like to be included in the prize draw. Please note: The winner will be contacted directly (via phone or email) by
the end of June 2015 and your contact details for the prize draw will not be connected with any of your survey
responses.

If you would like further information about our research, visit our website at
www.uws.edu.au/studentleadershipincurriculum or email studentleadership@uws.edu.au

Thank you,
Student Leadership Project Team

If you have any concerns about this research, please contact the Human Ethics Committee through the University of
Western Sydney (UWS) Office of Research Services on Tel +61 2 4736 0229 Fax +61 2 4736 0013 or email
humanethics@uws.edu.au. This study has been approved by the UWS Human Research Ethics Committee. The
approval number is H10528.

Section 1: About you

*1. Your gender

j Male
k
l
m
n

j Female
k
l
m
n

j Other. If you would like to specify, please do so in the comment box below.
k
l
m
n

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National Student Leadership Survey
*2. Your age
Age group

Select your age group 6

from the drop down list

*3. Your main area of study

Your main area of study

Select the most 6

appropriate area of study
from the drop down list.

*4. What is your current level of study?

j Postgraduate
k
l
m
n

j Undergraduate
k
l
m
n

*5. Your university (only to be used for analysis and will not be referred to by name in
the results):
University

Select your university from 6

the drop down list

Section 2: Your current student leadership role

*6. What is your current student leadership role?

j President or deputy president of a student association
k
l
m
n

j Faculty or school­based student representative

k
l
m
n

j Class or unit student representative (e.g. formal or informal)

k
l
m
n

j Special interest club or society representative (e.g. sporting or cultural society)

k
l
m
n

j Informal leadership role (e.g. individual student voice via survey or direct conversation)
k
l
m
n

j Student ambassador (e.g. student and staff liaison)

k
l
m
n

j University committee/board student representative

k
l
m
n

j Other (please specify)

k
l
m
n

*7. How long have you held your current student leadership role?:
j Under 1 year
k
l
m
n

j 1­3 years
k
l
m
n

j 4+ years
k
l
m
n

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National Student Leadership Survey
*8. Do you have a position description for your current student leadership role?
c Yes
d
e
f
g

c No
d
e
f
g

If Yes, Please copy and paste into the box below. If No, Please list what you consider to be your responsiblities or the expectations of your
role

*9. How did you find out about your current student leadership role at your
university?
j University website
k
l
m
n

j Friend
k
l
m
n

j Social Media
k
l
m
n

j Fellow student
k
l
m
n

j Staff member
k
l
m
n

j Advertisement/noticeboard on campus
k
l
m
n

j University event
k
l
m
n

j Student interest group

k
l
m
n

j Other (please specify)

k
l
m
n

*10. Did you actively seek this student leadership information yourself?
j Yes
k
l
m
n

j No
k
l
m
n

*11. Did you have a student leadership role prior to starting university? (for example,
at TAFE, Primary or High School)
j Yes
k
l
m
n

j No
k
l
m
n

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National Student Leadership Survey
12. If Yes, briefly describe this role and where you held this role:
5

Section 3: What motivates students to become leaders?

*13. What has motivated you to become a student leader?

You may select more than one answer from the below options:
c I believe that it would improve my employability
d
e
f
g

c I would like to help my fellow students

d
e
f
g

c I would like to include a leadership role in my resume

d
e
f
g

c I have genuine ideas on how the university can improve

d
e
f
g

c I have always been a leader and would like to develop these skills
d
e
f
g

c I felt the role would help improve my learning and interpersonal skills
d
e
f
g

c My lecturer or an academic staff member encouraged me

d
e
f
g

c My university advertised student leadership roles

d
e
f
g

c Other (please describe)

d
e
f
g
5

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National Student Leadership Survey
*14. How important are each of the following for any student leadership roles?
Not important at all Slightly important Moderately important Very important Extremely important
Relationships with j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
university staff and
students

Understanding how my j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
university operates and
how different groups can
influence certain
situations

Involvement in the j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
development and
implementation of
university policies and
processes

Participation in the review j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
of courses and/or programs

Being involved in overall j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
decisions about the
quality of teaching and
learning at your university

Dealing with student j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
concerns related to studies

Participating in training j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
and support in student
leadership

Involvement on university j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
committees as student
representative

Your own personal and j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
professional development
as a student leader

Having input into a j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
subject or program's
curriculum

15. Is there something else that's important to you that you would like to add or
comment on?
5

*16. What do you enjoy MOST about your role?

*17. What do you enjoy LEAST about your role?

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National Student Leadership Survey
*18. What level of impact does the following have on your current role as a student
leader?
Highly negative Moderately negative Moderately positive
No impact Highly positive impact
impact impact impact
Changes to government j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
funding

Knowing the value of your j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
contribution

Student complaints j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
Rapid changes in j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
technology

University processes j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
Building relationships with j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
staff in your institution

Managing competing j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
priorities

Engagement of the j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
student body

19. Are there any further comments you wish to make about things that impact your
current student leadership role?
5

Section 4: What makes a good student leader?

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National Student Leadership Survey
*20. How important do you believe each of the following personal capabilities is for
effective performance in your current student leadership role?
Not important at all Slight important Moderately important Very important Extremely important
Admitting to and learning j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
from my errors

Understanding my j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
personal strengths and
limitations

Being confident to take j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
calculated risks

Deferring judgment and j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
not jumping in too quickly

Having energy, passion j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
and enthusiasm

Persevering when things j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
are not working out as
anticipated

Wanting to achieve the j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
best outcomes possible

Being willing to make j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
hard decisions

Showing tolerance for the j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
views and opinions of
others (even when you
don't agree)

Displaying conviction in j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
your personal values and
ethics

21. Are there any other important personal capabilities that you would like to add or
comment on?
5

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National Student Leadership Survey
*22. How important do you believe each of the following interpersonal capabilities is
for effective performance in your current student leadership role?
Not important at all Slightly important Moderately important Very important Extremely important
Working productively with j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
other students and staff

Influencing people’s j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
behaviour in positive and
effective ways

Listening to different j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
points of view before
coming to a decision

Developing and using j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
networks

Giving and receiving j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
constructive feedback
to/from students and staff'

Motivating others to j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
achieve positive outcomes

Developing and j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
contributing positively to
discussions

Working constructively with j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
people who are ‘resistors’
or over­enthusiastic

Being transparent and j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
honest in dealings with
others

A level of selflessness or j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
concern for other students

23. Are there any other interpersonal capabilities of student leaders that you would like
to add or comment on?
5

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National Student Leadership Survey
*24. How important do you believe each of the following cognitive capabilities is for
effective performance in your current student leadership role?
Not important at all Slightly important Moderately important Very important Extremely important
Seeing the best way to j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
respond to a perplexing
situation

Identifying from a mass of j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
information the core issue
or opportunity in any
situation

Thinking creatively and j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
laterally

Having a clear, justified j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
and achieveable direction
in my area of
responsibility

Seeing and acting on an j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
opportunity

Recognising how j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
seemingly unconnected
activities are related

Setting and justifying j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
priorities for my daily work

Recognising patterns in a j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
complex situation

Making sense of and j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
learning from experience

Thinking critically and j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
analytically

25. Are there any other cognitive capabilities that you would like to add or comment on?
5

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National Student Leadership Survey
*26. How important do you believe the following skills and knowledge is for effective
performance in your current student leadership role?
Not important at all Slightly important Moderately important Very important Extremely important
An ability to work with j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
fellow students to deliver
change

An ability to participate j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
effectively in meetings

An ability to communicate j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
to a range of different
groups

An ability to organise and j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
manage time effectively

An ability to effectively j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
negotiate to achieve fair
and reasonable outcomes

An understanding of how j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
a university operates

An understanding of how j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
academic courses and
programs are developed
and improved

An understanding of j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
teaching and pedagogical
practices

An understanding of j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
academic workloads

Having well developed j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
oral and written
communication skills

27. Are there any other skills or knowledge that you would like to add or comment on?
5

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National Student Leadership Survey
*28. How important do you believe each of the following is for judging how successful
you have been in your current student leadership role?
Not important at all Slightly important Moderately important Very important Extremely important
Establishing positive j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
relationships between
university staff and
students

Introduction of improved j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
policies and procedures

Creating significant j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
improvements in learning
and teaching quality

Receiving positive j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
feedback for your
leadership perfomance

Being invited to represent j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
students at key events

Increasing evidence of j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
student voice being heard

Increasing student j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
contributions to curriculum
improvement

Achieving goals set for j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
your own personal and
professional development

Successful j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
implementation of new
student initiatives

Having high levels of j

k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
support from staff and
students

29. Are there any other indicators of your success that you would like to add or
comment on?
5

Section 5: What support and training do student leaders need?

*30. Have you had any training provided in your current student leadership role?
j Yes
k
l
m
n

j No
k
l
m
n

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National Student Leadership Survey
31. If Yes, what type of training was provided to you?

Please describe in the box below:

5

*32. Is there any particular training or support that you think could help you perform
more effectively in your current student leadership role?
5

*33. How important do you believe the following is for developing the skills and
capabilities of a student leader?
Not important at all Slightly important Moderately important Very important Extremely important
Length of time in tertiary j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
studies

Previous student j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
leadership role/s

Completing formal j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
leadership programs

Learning ‘on­the­job’ j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
Participating in student j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
networks within the
university

Participating in student j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
networks beyond the
university

Undertaking self­guided j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
reading on leadership (ie.
on the internet, journal
articles etc)

Involvement in j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
mentoring/coaching
programs

Membership in j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n j
k
l
m
n
professional leadership
associations

34. Are there any other skills or capabilities that you would like to add or comment on?
5

Section 6: What challenges do student leaders face?

Page 12
National Student Leadership Survey
*35. What has been the most challenging aspect of your current student leadership
role?
5

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey

Please note: As all data collected will not be identifiable, it will not be possible to withdraw your responses from this
research after you have submitted this survey.

36. We are interested in finding out more about your experience and will be collecting
evidence of good examples of student leadership. Do you have any experiences you
would like to share with us?

If so, please comment in the box below.

5

37. Alternatively, If you are willing to participate in an interview, please leave your
contact details.
Name

Phone

Email

38. Would you like to be included in our prize draw?

By leaving your details below, you are eligible to win one of 10 movie or iTunes
vouchers (valued at $30 each).

Please note: To be eligible, you must have completed the entire survey.Your individual
survey responses will not be connected with your entry in the prize draw.
Name

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Page 13