Co-Creation in Higher Education: a Pedagogic Approach for Developing Employability Skills

Authors

  • Lotta Hackett University of Greenwich
  • Natalie Blakely University of Greenwich
  • Aleena Philip University of Greenwich
  • Ewaen Arnold Ero University of Greenwich

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21100/compass.v18i3.1664

Abstract

This paper critically reflects on a student–staff co-creation initiative to enhance employability in the BSc (Hons) Public Health programme at the University of Greenwich. Held once annually in both 2024 and 2025 (and, now, from 2026, twice-yearly), the ‘Employability Gala’ is an extra-curricular event taking the form of an online webinar, with guest speakers from the public health sector. This study deals with the 2024 and 2025 galas, when fourteen undergraduate public health students and six members of staff were involved across both events. The primary purpose of the gala is to broaden students’ perspectives of the range of possible pathways and roles within public health. Implementing a co-creation approach to deliver each gala also seeks to support students’ professional skills development and enhance career readiness. Collaborating with students and industry professionals to co-design and co-deliver aspects of the curriculum supports the University’s strategy to create an inclusive and collaborative learning experience that develops competent and capable professionals.
Adopting an autoethnographic approach, this paper reflects the lived experiences of two staff members and two students who participated in the 2024 and 2025 galas.

Author Biographies

Lotta Hackett, University of Greenwich

Lotta Hackett: I am a Senior Teaching Fellow at the University of Greenwich within the Public Health Portfolio. I am Programme Lead for the BSc Public Health programme. My practice background is in health and social care, and my area of expertise is stakeholder engagement and co-creation, particularly focused on vulnerable populations and addressing health inequalities. I have worked across voluntary and statutory organisations, including Healthwatch and the NHS. I have conducted a wide range of co-creation projects, across diverse population groups, including students, older and frail people, and people living with autism and learning disabilities.

Natalie Blakely, University of Greenwich

Natalie Blakely is a Lecturer in Public Health, with a practice-based background in health improvement within local government, focussing on reducing health inequalities and supporting behaviour change. A graduate of the University of Greenwich (BSc in Public Health, MSc in Global Public Health), she champions the student voice and is committed to inclusive pedagogies. Her work explores co-creation as a transformative approach to learning, fostering student empowerment, belonging, independent thinking and enhanced graduate outcomes.

Aleena Philip, University of Greenwich

Aleena Philip is a BSc Public Health graduate 2025. Aleena has taken an active part in extra curricular activities, including the co-created Public Health Portfolio Employability Gala. Aleena co-presented at the Co-creation in Higher Education Symposium in June 2025, reflecting on her personal experience of co-creation in higher education. 

Ewaen Arnold Ero, University of Greenwich

Ewaen Arnold Ero is a BSc Public Health graduate 2025. Ewaen has taken an active part in extra curricular activities, including the co-created Public Health Portfolio Employability Gala. Ewaen co-presented at the Co-creation in Higher Education Symposium in June 2025, reflecting on his personal experience of co-creation in higher education. 

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Published

07/31/2026

How to Cite

Hackett, L., Blakely, N., Philip, A., & Ero, E. A. (2026). Co-Creation in Higher Education: a Pedagogic Approach for Developing Employability Skills. Compass: Journal of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, 18(3). https://doi.org/10.21100/compass.v18i3.1664

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 3 (2026): Special Edition: Transforming Higher Education: Co-creation with Students, Staff and External Partners

Section

Case Studies

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Lotta Hackett, Natalie Blakely, Aleena Philip, Ewaen Arnold Ero

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