Maynooth University Access Programme (MAP), the Department of Design Innovation Maynooth, HEAR and DARE advisory committee, DEIS linked schools.

A cohort of over 100 new university students from under represented groups participated in a large-scale Design Thinking and Co-Design programme to help improve their transition into higher education, and enhance the understanding of student needs by MAP staff. The format adopted was a multi-session programme consisting of data gathering through experience and empathy mapping, data synthesis and affinity diagrams, personas and problem statements, brainstorming workshops and concept creation.

The outputs are as follows:

• A large amount of rich user data was gathered, from which actionable insights and problem statements were created. These have formed the basis of a number of new and improved MAP initiatives.
• The personas created based on the Co-Design activity are now also being used to guide MAP decision making and initiative development.
• Over 100 students were involved in the project and 20 student leaders were trained in design thinking methods.
• Experience and Empathy maps were found to be excellent probes for improving and promoting communication and interaction amongst student participants and stakeholders.
• A number of journal articles, case studies and conference presentations are being produced to disseminate the learnings.

The outcomes are as follows:

• As a direct result of the study, MAP have integrated design thinking methods and tools into many of their programmes and activities.
• The reframed understanding of student needs has enabled MAP to innovate and improve all services.
• Based on the learnings, the Launchpad programme has been extended to a much wider cohort of students. All MAP incoming students (approximately 300 per year) will experience the improvements and innovations in communication, activities and interactions etc. during future Launchpad orientation programmes.
• Design is now seen as a strategic component of MAP’s offering.
• As a result of this initiative, MAP has recorded an increased sense of belonging to Maynooth University, well-established social networks and an awareness of the supports available to MU students.
• MAP expect to see retention rates of students from target groups come in line with the University average, with steady progression from year 1 to year 2, as well as a consistent annual interest among current students to volunteer as role models on Launchpad and beyond.
• This research offers a potentially promising model of good practice for promoting access for students to other Higher Education Institutions, both in Ireland and farther afield.

Health and Well-Being
Societal engagement
New knowledge

Following the success of this initiative, it is anticipated that similar approaches could be extended to the wider incoming student community both in Maynooth University and nationally. Programmes such as this one could have a lasting impact on the health and well-being and engagement of all students. It is also anticipated that increasing the quality of orientation programmes, such as Launchpad, will lead to improvements in the participation rates of students from the target equity groups, as well as improved graduation rates and increased progression to relevant employment. The positive results from this initiative indicate that greater student retention and student experience can be achieved by using design thinking and co-design approaches to engagement.