Vet Student Identity: A Collage of Diversity

Eynon, P. A. (2021) Vet Student Identity: A Collage of Diversity. VetEd Symposium 2021, 07-09 Jul 2021. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Background: I felt challenged by a piece of art by Sir Eduardo Paolozzi in 1960 titled "A Veterinary Student", a collage print depicting what a veterinary student 'looks like' at that time. My reaction to this piece is due in part to two points: 1) Working with veterinary undergraduates and being involved in the admissions process, I observe first hand the diversity that exists within our degree programme but don't feel this diversity translates through to the wider population and 2) How can we measure or develop a student's sense of identity as they pass through our programme? Summary of Work: Taking Eduardo Paolozzi's depiction of a veterinary student from 60 years ago, and working alongside such a diverse student population at the University of Glasgow Veterinary School, I want to explore what a veterinary student 'looks like' nowadays. I plan to invite students to submit a passport-type selfie, and with these selfies, I plan to create a larger-scale collage image of what, in our experience, a Glasgow vet student looks like now, in 2021. Are we actually a diverse population within the Glasgow Vet School community? If not, will this be represented in the collage? In discussions with students regarding the vertical thread of assessment using ePortfolios over the past 5 years, there are some who find it difficult to reflect on their experiences and on their development, change and growth. Then, when they reach the final year of the programme and come to my Small Animal Primary Care - surgical rotation, I provide them with multiple photos of them honing their craft, with common responses being, "...I can use these as evidence for my e-Portfolio", and "...My mum is going to love seeing me performing surgery!". This past year more than ever, social media, Zoom camera images and digital media have become increasingly intertwined with our lives as learners and educators. Considering how much we have 'seen' ourselves and others over this challenging period, might this foster more inclusion of self and digital media into our academic journey? Is a picture really worth a thousand words? Take-Home Message: Considering the two avenues mentioned previously, I would like to explore: 1) Using photos and imagery to represent our student population here at Glasgow, are we as diverse as we should be? What do 'we' look like nowadays compared with our 19602 version? 2) Could a yearly selfie by each student that is formatted into a collage during their final year e-Portfolio, provide them with evidence of change and growth in their student identity? Throughout their student career with us here at Glasgow, do our students acknowledge their growth and development that readies them for entering into the profession upon graduation? Is the face on their 1st year student ID card, the whole story of the person walking at graduation?

Item Type:Conference or Workshop Item
Status:Unpublished
Refereed:No
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Eynon, Mr Paul Andrew
Authors: Eynon, P. A.
Subjects:L Education > L Education (General)
S Agriculture > SF Animal culture > SF600 Veterinary Medicine
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
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