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Peer Support Leader Guide: Meet the PAL Team

This guide is designed for our Peer Support Leaders to contain all the information they require to carry out their role, including key contacts, the process for the observations and how to claim their pay.

Hello! We're the Central PAL Team and are responsible for the running of the Peer Assisted Learning Scheme at BU. We have an open door policy for all of our Leaders and are always happy to answer any queries you may have. Some of our responsibilities include:

  • Co-ordinating and delivering the PAL Leader Facilitation Course to prepare you for the PAL role
  • Creating useful resources  and guidance for PAL Leaders
  • Liaising with the PAL Academic Course Contacts
  • Monitoring your attendance registers
  • Observing PAL sessions
  • Managing a team of Peer Support Leaders who are former PAL Leaders studying in their final year, who help observe PAL session

Find out more about us below!

Hey! I'm Aimée and my role is Peer Learning Officer for BU. My main responsibility is managing and running the PAL Scheme on a day to day basis, which can include a number of things as listed above!

A bit about me... I have been in my role since May 2017, a couple of months before graduating as a Creative Event Management student from Falmouth University in Cornwall. I was a PAL Leader there, and had the amazing opportunity to work alongside their PAL Team in my last two years of studying. In fact, I enjoyed it so much I decided I wanted to pursue a career in it so I was thrilled when I landed my dream job here! I'm incredibly passionate about mentoring and peer support, having been there myself and seen the impact PAL Leaders can have on first year students transitioning to uni. I love working in a student facing role and getting to know all of you. In my spare time I enjoy baking, spending time with my two dalmatians and am currently renovating my first home!

My role at BU is as the Academic Skills Hub Manager in Library & Learning Support.

I am originally from Memphis, Tennessee and received my MA in English as a Second Language / Creative Writing from the University of Memphis. Since then, I have worked at a number of universities across the US, China and the UK.

My most recent role was as an English for Academic Purposes Lecturer at Arts University Bournemouth. In this role I worked mainly with International students and designed and delivered a number of short courses around developing English language and Academic Skills. I often embedded peer learning opportunities into these courses as I feel students are well placed to support each other on their learning journeys, so I am very excited about working with the Central PAL team. It will give useful insight into the developing needs of our students, which will in turn help us to build in relevant support as we develop the Academic Skills Hub.

Outside of work, I enjoy cooking, doing yoga, reading books, playing with my daughter, and snuggling with my cat Abigail

Hi! I’m Emma and I’m the PAL Placement Student for 2022-2023. I study International Business and Management at BU and I was previously a PAL Leader in 2021-2022. I joined PAL Central in July 2022 for my placement year.

My responsibilities include assisting the team with various duties such as monitoring queries, running promotional activities, assisting with recruitment and many other things!

My role as a PAL Leader was a great experience that helped me develop my confidence and public speaking skills. I also earnt a lot of insight into how to facilitate a session effectively and the importance of mentoring and supporting students during their first year at university.

Outside of my university life, I enjoy reading books, being with my friends and travelling. My most recent travels were to Alaska, Edinburgh and Barcelona! I’m hoping to visit more places soon.

My role at BU is as the Academic Liaison Manager in Library & Learning Support.

Having spent my entire professional career working in UK universities I have considerable experience working with students and academic colleagues across all different subject disciplines.  My background is in Higher Education libraries and as well as having a strategic overview of the PAL Scheme I manage the Faculty Library Teams, Researcher Systems and Support, the Study Skills Workshop programme and Language Learning Support.

It’s a really rewarding role, particularly working with the Central PAL Team!

What I enjoy most is working with students and colleagues, listening to their feedback and helping to find creative solutions.