In this post, Max Nyman, a 4th year chemistry student, describes how they used their Student Partnership Agreement funds to provide an inclusive community building event by buying a selection of board games, and hosting a staff and student games night at the School of Chemistry. This post is part of the Student Partnership Agreement 2024 series.
A little bit of background
Coming to university after the pandemic was a fascinating experience. Having missed out on a key period of personal and academic growth during school, I found myself thrust into a completely new and vibrant environment. Everything felt more professional, more exciting, more challenging—more everything, really. The possibilities seemed limitless, but only if you had the mindset to embrace them.
Suddenly, I was surrounded by a plethora of societies and the social whirlwind that comes from being in a cohort of 100 like-minded peers, all navigating the same uncharted waters. I made a conscious effort to build connections—not just with my classmates, but also with the staff who worked tirelessly to create a course that would prepare us for the real world. I sought out postgraduates too, those who had already walked the path I was on and who embodied where I could see myself in just a few short years.
The problem
But despite this rich ecosystem, I couldn’t ignore the sense of division that lingered. It wasn’t hostile or intentional, but the invisible barriers separating undergraduates, postgraduates, staff, and even different year groups were palpable. People seemed hesitant to step outside their bubbles, and even asking an more senior peer for advice often felt intimidating. This felt absurd to me. After all, we’ve all shared the same challenges—leaving school, finding our feet, and adjusting to university life. Yet, the perceived hierarchy persisted, a quiet but constant reminder of who we were and where we “fit.”
Part of the problem, I realised, was how undergraduate-focused many social events were. There were countless opportunities for undergraduates to socialise—drinking nights, hiking trips, art sessions, and more—but these rarely offered the chance to connect with professors, PhD students, or other university staff. These are the people we could learn the most from, people whose experiences could inspire us to grow not just academically, but as individuals.
Researching the market
Within the School of Chemistry, I had the privilege of taking on the role of undergraduate representative and serving on the EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion) committee. These roles gave me unique insight into the diverse communities within the school and allowed me to ask questions that had been on my mind. For instance, I learned that while some events, such as Chem Ball, were open to everyone, they often felt dominated by over-inebriated undergraduates, leaving others feeling uncomfortable.
I also discovered that events like talent shows and other whole-school activities had struggled to regain their momentum after the pandemic. Times were tough, workloads were heavy, and there wasn’t anyone ready to put the effort into reviving them. Inspired by this gap, I began brainstorming ideas with the EDI committee.
What brings people together?
The question was simple: “What does everyone enjoy?” The answer was even simpler: food. It’s amazing how something as universal as pizza can bring people together. The second thing we landed on was games – an ageless way to connect people, foster teamwork, and create shared experiences. Unlike many activities, games offer a level playing field where age, academic title, or any perceived sort of hierarchy don’t determine success. From these ideas, the foundation of a plan began to take shape.
A quiz night was tempting, but we felt it would favour knowledge over creativity or teamwork. A pizza night alone wouldn’t keep people engaged for long. A games night, however, had the potential to entertain everyone for an entire evening—and that’s exactly what we went for.
Bringing the vision to life
We wanted the event to have a lasting legacy, something that could continue to benefit the school even after the night was over. That’s where the board game idea came in. With funding, we spent over £300 on board games, which were left in the school’s social space for everyone to access freely. This way, even those who couldn’t attend the event could still enjoy its impact. I truly hope these games have sparked new conversations and connections between people who might never have interacted otherwise.
The planning process was intense but rewarding. We organised trivia rounds, booked spaces, promoted the event, and ordered a wide variety of games. Over £600 worth of pizza was delivered, and we even hauled in kilos of spaghetti and marshmallows for a structural engineering challenge (don’t worry—any leftover pasta was gladly taken home by participants for dinner).
A night to remember
The event itself exceeded all expectations. I was thrilled to see such a diverse group of attendees, with undergraduates finally in the minority for once. The atmosphere was competitive yet friendly, and the energy in the room was incredible. It was heartening to see so many people—from staff to postgraduates—engaging, laughing, and connecting on equal footing.
We managed to fill the space to capacity, and, thanks to a small leftover budget, we even provided prizes for the winners. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many attendees expressing their excitement for future events.
A message to future organisers
If you’re thinking about applying for funding, my advice is simple: just go for it. Don’t wait for someone else to create the change you want to see. Sometimes, all it takes is one idea to catalyse something wonderful – opening the door for new connections, new opportunities, and a stronger sense of community.
Organising Committee
- Dr Jenny Gracie (staff)
- Dr Claire Hobday (staff)
- Ms Claire Patterson (student
- Ms Maria Misquitta (student)
- Max Nyman (student)
Read a previous post in building academic community in the School of Chemistry, by Dr Chris Mowat: Chemunity: Fostering academic community in the School of Chemistry
Max Nyman
Max Nyman is a 4th-year Chemistry student, from Bournemouth on the south coast of England. He is half Danish and half English, and joined the University of Edinburgh in 2021 through the second-year entry stream. After participating in the SPA project, he took on the role of President of Chem Soc, where he enjoys planning events that foster community and engagement among chemistry students. He is passionate about creating opportunities for others and look forward to continuing to make an impact in both science and student leadership.
