A warm welcome to our new and returning students as the academic year begins

Professor Karen Throsby reflects on this year's Welcome, Induction and Transition Week activities and welcomes new and returning students to SSP.

The new academic year is well under way and we were delighted to welcome over 550 new students to the School in September, including Foundation Year students, Level 1 undergraduates, taught postgraduates and PhD students. It was also a pleasure to welcome our returning students back, including those who have completed a study year abroad or a year in industry. Our students are the heart of the School and it’s wonderful to have everyone back on campus.

Our new programme of Welcome, Induction and Transition Week (WIT) events gave students a chance to learn more about the School, get to know each other and meet the academic and professional services staff who will be supporting them over the coming year. It was also a pleasure to welcome Professor Teresa Piacentini (University of Glasgow) who kicked off the year with a stimulating annual lecture, ‘Teaching Sociology in Turbulent Times’, in which she encouraged us all to reflect on the challenges and possibilities of ethical pedagogies both within and beyond the classroom.

As part of our Welcome activities, we continue to offer support to our newly arrived international students through our Welcome Advisor scheme, where incoming students are connected with an assigned advisor (usually one of the School’s PhD students) who can help them to navigate their new living and learning environments. The students choose how they would most like to use their allocated time, with activities ranging from talking through how seminars work to having a tour of campus to learn the best places to buy lunch. This tailored support is then picked up by our International Advisors who serve as an ongoing source of advice and support for the School’s international students throughout the year.

Now that teaching has started, we are beginning our programme of social activities for the term, including the famous SSP breakfast club, walking tours around Leeds, a trip to the York Christmas market and our Winter Ball. I would encourage all our students to join in and make the most of these opportunities to get to know both staff and students, learn more about the local area and most of all, have fun.

I hope everyone has a wonderful term!