The Coffee Conversations initiative exemplifies the Students as Partners (SaP) approach, fostering co-creation and equitable collaboration between students and educators. Grounded in bell hooks’ pedagogy of engaged learning and SaP literature, this initiative positions dialogue as central to fostering belonging and engagement (Cook-Sather, Bovill, & Felten, 2014). By disrupting traditional power hierarchies, it nurtures meaningful relationships that enhance student experiences and academic success. Aligned with principles of relationship-rich education (Felten & Lambert, 2020), Coffee Conversations creates a supportive academic culture in which students actively contribute to shaping their learning environments, reinforcing the importance of relational dynamics in education. In addition to strengthening engagement in the present, this initiative reflects a commitment to future-focused education by fostering adaptability, collaboration, and student agency—key competencies for navigating an evolving higher education landscape and workforce.
Coffee Conversations offers an informal yet purposeful space for dialogue between students and educators. Held weekly in a relaxed cafe setting, these 45-90 minutes sessions allow students to share their learning experiences in real time, over a cup of tea or coffee. Voluntarily initiated by teaching staff across Deakin University’s faculties, each session involves 3-6 students, fostering inclusivity and amplifying traditionally marginalized voices. This initiative enables immediate responsiveness to student needs, cultivating trust, mutual respect, and a stronger sense of belonging (Deeley & Bovill, 2017).
Data were collected using a collaborative self-study methodology. This presentation draws on three data sources: (i) individual critical friend discussions where participants engaged in reflective conversations about their experiences, (ii) weekly written reflections from all participants which provided insight into their evolving perspectives, and (iii) macro critical friend discussions which involved group dialogues to capture collective reflections. Data were analysed using Live Coding (Parameswaran, Ozawa-Kirk & Latendresse, 2019) and Constructive Grounded Theory (Charmaz, 2014), enabling an iterative and participant-driven understanding of impact.
Findings highlighted the significance of fostering authentic connections in relationship-rich education, the empowerment of students and staff through dialogue, the transformation of feedback from transactional to relational, and the cultivation of curiosity. This research demonstrates the transformative potential of Coffee Conversations in reimagining pedagogical relationships and enriching the higher education experience. Furthermore, by embedding dialogic practices within institutional structures, this initiative contributes to future-focused education by modelling participatory learning environments that prepare students to navigate complex social and professional landscapes.
Dr. Cassandra Iannucci
Dr. Cassandra Iannucci stands as a prominent academic at Deakin University, renowned for her extensive expertise in physical education teacher education, scholarship of teaching and learning, and the implementation of democratic practices within physical education. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to democratizing (higher) education and fostering Students as Partners initiatives, where she advocates for the amplification of student voice, agency, and engagement across the educational spectrum.
Cassandra’s research and teaching are deeply intertwined with principles of social justice, connection, and relationships. Her work explores the dynamics of learning environments, emphasizing the importance of inclusive practices that honour and elevate diverse student experiences. She focuses on enhancing social and emotional learning (SEL) capacities within physical education. By integrating SEL into her pedagogical frameworks, Cassandra aims to cultivate educational spaces that are not only intellectually stimulating but also emotionally supportive and socially equitable.
Through her innovative research, Cassandra Iannucci continues to inspire educators and students alike, driving forward a vision of education where connection, relationships, and social equity are at the forefront of academic and personal development.