A model of active student participation in curriculum design: Exploring desirability and possibility

This paper explores the desirability and possibility of active student participation (ASP) in curriculum design. Rationale s for pursuing ASP in curriculum design are outlined. A conceptual model from community planning literature is then presented ‐ Sherry Arns tein’s ‘Eight rungs on a ladder of participation’ ‐ a model that has been us ed widely in various disciplines but rarely in higher education. Arnstei n’s model is adapted to enable exploration of different possible levels of ASP in curriculum design in higher education. Key features of this adapted ‘ Ladder of student participation in curriculum design’ model are outli ned and illustrated through the use of examples. Discussion focuses on contextualising the desirability and possibility of different levels of student participation in curriculum design, and explores the utility of the adapted model. The paper concludes with some suggested areas of ASP in curri culum design that need further investigation.