In this episode, we speak with Harry Day, Sarah Plumb, Matteo Di Benedetti and Lucy Farquhar from the University of Sheffield about their work to transform the GTA experience. Drawing on research and practical experience, they explore how a more supportive, structured approach can benefit GTAs, academic staff and students alike.
The IN-4-STEM Erasmus+ project has now reached its halfway mark, and we are excited to share the progress made so far. Together with our European partners, we have been investigating the social and academic integration (SAInt) experiences of first-year STEM students, with particular attention to women, first-generation students, and apprenticeship students.
Over the past year, the consortium has conducted interviews, focus groups, and survey development activities to better understand the challenges students face during their transition into higher education. Based on these findings, we are currently co-creating and refining evidence-informed interventions aimed at strengthening students’ social and academic integration in STEM programmes. Next Fall, each partner institution will implement and evaluate a selection of innovative interventions, in order to learn which interventions are effectively improving social and academic integration of first-year STEM students.
We are also pleased to announce a strong IN-4-STEM presence at the SEFI 2026 Annual Conference, where project partners will share key findings and emerging practices through:
- One interactive workshop: Co-Creating Inclusive First-Year Interventions to Strengthen Social and Academic Integration (SAInt) in STEM, showcasing and refining practical interventions for first-year STEM students. ย
- Paper presentation: Women Engineering Studentsโ Perspectives on Social and Academic Integration in First Year, highlighting the transition experiences and support needs of women in engineering.
- Paper presentation: Exploring Social and Academic Integration of Higher Degree Apprenticeship Engineering Students, presenting new insights into the experiences of engineering apprenticeship students.
We look forward to engaging with the international engineering education community at SEFI and sharing how IN-4-STEM is helping create more inclusive and supportive pathways for STEM students across Europe.
Learn more about the project: https://in-4-stem.eu/
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