We're so happy to have you aboard! You're in for a week of adventure, challenges, and prizes!
* socially distanced * work alone or in teams *
* be strategic * be tactical * be creative *
*play games * learn new skills *
* tons of games and challenges to choose from *
It's too late to join us this year, but we hope to see you at the next SSF!
What is the SSF Treasure Hunt?!
When you sign up, you'll be sent a list of tasks to complete. All the tasks have points, and the person with the most points will win the grand prize. There will be tasks you can do alone and some tasks that you will need to do as a team (maximum 5 people). Some tasks will be on campus, but most will be challenges you can complete at home. You can join our Discord community to speak with other Treasure Hunters and to make teams for team tasks.
With over 100 challenges to choose from, what could you do?!
You can do as much or as little as you wish. Have fun doing something new or strategise and collaborate to win
Each year, the SSF brings you exclusive panels with high profile guests and this year is no different! Join us for talks on how to boost your employability while at University, a Q&A with Alec Ross on the state of capitalism and how to improve the lives of ordinary people, and a panel on the most pressing environmental issues and what we can do about them.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience - How They Can Help You Succeed with Dr Simon Best, Andrea Campbell (LinkedIn Learning), and Alan Stuart (MDXWorks) plus a special video by Tim Campbell MBE
1st of March, 6-7pm GMT
Everyone knows that universities provide students with degrees—a way to evidence their expertise in a specific subject area. But is that all that students gain when studying? Join this panel to discuss all the skills and experiences students can gain while studying at Middlesex and how these can be turned into selling points for when they enter the career market. Andrea, Simon and Alan Stuart will join us to give their unique perspectives on working, studying, and finding graduate jobs. In addition to this, Tim Campbell will share with us a video detailing advice specifically for MDX students. Tim is a winner of BBC's The Apprentice and has established a ground-breaking charitable foundation, currently chairs an outstanding school board, and regularly speaks at conferences and after dinner events internationally. Dr Simon Best is a senior lecturer in Management and leads the Enterprise Development Hub. Andrea is Senior Customer Success Manager for LinkedIn Learning, and Alan heads MDXWorks, Middlesex's student employment hub.
Bringing Business, Politics, and People Back into Alignment with Tim Campbell MBE and Kurt Barling
2nd of March, 6-7pm (GMT)
With a focus on Education, Empowerment and Entrepreneurship, Tim Campbell has established a ground-breaking charitable foundation, currently chairs an outstanding school board and regularly speaks on these topics at conferences and after dinner events internationally. This has led him to his most recent activity as Regional Head of Africa and Trading Futures lead for the recently voted best Proprietary Trading company in 2020, OSTC Group and Diversity and Inclusion strategic advisor for global talent acquisition company AMS. Kurt Barling is an award-winning journalist who worked for the BBC for over twenty years and is now a Professor of Journalism at Middlesex University. He has also recently taken on the role of Theme Director for Inclusive socio-economic development and enriching lives through culture. His filmography and journalism include Assignment, Newsnight, The Money Programme, Today, Black Britain, and BBC News. Amongst his many journalism awards Kurt is particularly proud of the 5 National RIMA awards for his reporting on diversity in the UK, Africa, the Caribbean and the US, more than any other British journalist. Kurt is author and editor of 4 books including the international bestseller Darkness over Germany (2018), Abu Hamza: Guilty (2014) and the polemic The R Word: Racism (2015). In this webinar, Tim and Kurt will talk about how corporations and governments have become increasingly tangled, allowing the rich to get richer and the poor to get poorer. They will also discuss how innovative economic and political models could create a new way of working - one that benefits workers and everyday citizens in the face of unprecedented global change.
A New Climate: Re-telling The Future with Alysoun Barrett Bolger, Angela Lowe, and Justin Davis
3rd of March, 6-7pm (GMT)
Climate change continues to impact the planet, and human activities affect the Earth’s ecosystems. Although it’s a complex and multi-faceted issue, it’s time to take action and work together to save our precious planet! Join our panel of world-leading environmental activists and experts as they share their expertise and advice to combat the climate crisis. Alysoun Barret Bolger is an Executive Board Member at Biodynamic Federation Demeter International and Programme Coordinator at Biodynamic Agricultural College. Angela Lowe is a Principal Consultant in the area of Marine Biology and Director of her own company, Medley Marine. She has over 15 years’ experience in marine and coastal environmental consultancy primarily spent working on major UK marine renewables (offshore wind and tidal) and international oil and gas projects. Angela has provided environmental and ecological inputs and advice across the UK, Republic of Ireland, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf of Mexico for a wide range of clients. Justin graduated from Middlesex University in 2020 with an MSc in Sustainability and Environmental Management. He is currently leading the marine licensing process for Green Ocean Farming, a UK-based seaweed aquaculture start-up. In April, he will be moving to Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, to start a role as General Manager with a community benefit society called Car-Y-Mor. Car-Y-Mor farms multiple species including seaweed, oysters, mussels, and scallops and has recently received a marine license from Natural Resources Wales to expand from a trial site to a three-hectare ocean farm.
You do not need to be a participant in the Treasure Hunt to join our panels! Anyone is welcome to join!
TAKE PART! HAVE FUN! LEARN, CREATE, AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS!
There is method behind the madness, honest!
The Student Success festival is built around the principle ideas of critical learning and engagement. Simply put, numerous studies (see for example Wenger 2010) have shown that students who feel a part of the university tend to be more successful! Why? Because they engage more, they know who's who and where to get help if they need it and - most importantly - they know that they are entitled to that help!
Of course, most of the time you won't need that help. But you're only human and studying and balancing a life and financial commitments is one of the hardest things you'll ever have to do - and one of the most rewarding! But when you do need help, we want you to know not just where to go to get it, but that the people helping you are friendly, kind and real people.
So, you see, our intention with the Student Success Festival isn't to 'sell' you services or shove leaflets into your hands. It's to give you a chance to get to know the people whose job it is to help you succeed.
Our goal is to help you feel a part of the Middlesex community, so you understand who you can talk to when you need help or direction.
Success is not only related to grades (though, of course, that is important!), but also to the experience of studying, making friends, learning about yourself and who you are, mental and physical wellbeing, employment, and opportunities beyond the classroom.
The Student Success Festival focuses on Academic success, Career success, and Mental Health and Wellbeing. Take a look around this website and see all the things we've done in the past, watch some videos from students and from choice YouTube channels, and check out the pages of our teammates!
Below are all the teams and guests involved with the SSF. Every year the festival grows, so look out for even more guests in the future!
| Middlesex Student Union | Student Learning Advisers (SLAs) | MDXWorks! |
| Alumni Network | Progression and Support | The Learning Enhancement Team (LET) |
| Middlesex Library | Sports and Recreation | Counselling and Mental Health |
| Language and Culture Exchange | Erasmus (International Study) | Post-graduate Progression & Support |
| Financial Help and Support | Companion animals | Disability & Dyslexia |
| LinkedIn Learning | Macmillan Publishers | Fair Trade Society |
| MeToo | Peak Performance HR | Kortext |
| CCSS | The Mayor's Entrepreneurial Competition | ...and more! |