Student voices that shape us: Building an inclusive blog to amplify aspirations

Jessica Reynolds is an Accounting and Finance Tutor. She leads on the Finance and Economics departmental blog, ensuring students’ voices and experiences are heard. Since taking over the blog from January 2025, she has interviewed staff, students and alumni gaining over 11,200 views, demonstrating its impact in fostering a sense of belonging, inspiring aspirations and connecting students with opportunities both within and beyond the university.
Sophie Little is a Tutor in Finance and Economics, Personal Tutor Lead, and Level 4 Personal Tutor. She is passionate about supporting students and enhancing the postgraduate student experience through community building and careers initiatives that foster belonging, engagement, and academic and professional development.

Since 2018, the Finance and Economics (F&E) blog has evolved from a departmental communications platform into a strategic, student-centred digital community that connects students, staff, alumni, and external partners. This poster (below) explores how the blog supports Manchester Metropolitan University’s commitment to educational excellence, inclusion and digital empowerment by providing a space to celebrate achievement, share authentic student experiences and promote opportunities across all F&E programmes.

It addresses the challenges of fostering engagement and belonging within a diverse academic community while also supporting key student decision-making processes, such as module selection, placements, and career planning. Through student stories, employer collaborations, departmental updates and data-informed content development, the blog amplifies student voice and extends learning beyond the classroom. Drawing on WordPress analytics, examples of student contributions and key milestones, the poster demonstrates the blog’s impact on community building, increasing students’ aspirations, and graduate success.