Mind the Gap

We expect a lot of our academics, from subject specialist knowledge, pedagogic and research excellence to pastoral skills. We expect them to understand their students, the students' goals, ambitions and the challenges they face. However, each generation differs from the previous one, usually subtly, often unnoticed. And thus, a gap can easily open over time between what we think we know about students' motivations and challenges and what they really are. 

Mind the Gap is an inspiring series of four short, documentary films which seeks to bridge this (potential) gap, to help our academics gain a greater insight into what motivates our current generation of students, the challenges they face and their ambitions beyond gaining a degree, be they personal or societal. Across the four films we meet four students from a wide variety of backgrounds.

"These films take us beyond who we see in our classrooms into the lives and stories of some of our talented learners. As staff engaged in teaching and supporting students, we are privileged to see one dimension of students’ lives – when they spend time with us as their ‘learning selves’. But there is more to every student, just as our professional identity is only one part of our own stories. The films raise many topics and highlight several of the challenges our learners may face whilst at the same time demonstrating a strength of spirit, determination and resilience that I find inspiring." 

Karen Fitzgibbon, Professor of Teaching and Learning 

Mind the Gap has been filmed during the first 6 months of 2023 by Leonard Merlim, a former USW MA Film (Directing) graduate, who has been employed by CELT through the Springboard Graduate Internship Programme. Created to help support the USW 2030 Curriculum, these four excellent films are a testament to his skills, creativity and dedication. Especially Episode 3: Word for the World which was filmed largely in Welsh; a language which Leonard, hailing from Indonesia, doesn't speak, and isn't very familiar with. Leonard's ability to build trust with the interviewees has brought them to a place where they feel comfortable enough to speak openly about some very personal matters.