Zack Smith

We are pleased to announce that Zack Smith has been granted an EDI Award! Zack has made numerous positive impacts to EDI throughout his time at the university.

Firstly, for his final year Computer Science project, he is developing a ChatGPT-powered web app that will help users rewrite, reformat, and review text, with a strong focus on increasing digital accessibility. Secondly, Zack has worked tirelessly to lead the Canvas & Communications sub-committee in the Student-Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC). This begun with his 2022/23 Enhancement Project which was a report of recommendations to improve the CS-All Students Canvas course and make it more accessible.

The course acts as the hub for all student information and is maintained by the Student Experience Team (SET). Zack drew his knowledge of digital accessibility and the Canvas platform from his Canvas Coach internship with the Centre for Innovation in Education (CIE) team. During this internship, he developed and delivered digital accessibility sessions for staff and students on best practice when using Canvas. After completing his Enhancement Project, Zack reached out to the SET over the summer and supported them to redesign the course for the following academic year. More specifically, he overhauled the navigation, course structure and overall content layout. In this academic year,

Zack has decided to push his work with Canvas further. He is currently working with the Board of Studies and CIE staff to develop a Canvas course template that will use best practice to standardise the layout and navigation of Canvas courses across all modules. In addition, Zack is developing bespoke Canvas training resources for module coordinators and plans to deliver some training sessions, along with a ‘Canvas Clinic’ drop-in afternoon. Outside of EEECS, Zack works in various part-time roles that champion EDI.

Working in the Disability Advice & Guidance team as a Disability Coach, he helps facilitate a peer-to-peer drop-in desk for disabled students who are seeking support with their studies. In this role, he volunteered to speak at the Computer Science Welcome Week introduction talks to promote the Disability Coaches service to the incoming cohort, and discussed the support available for disabled students. Moreover, he works with the Widening Participation & Outreach team as a Liverpool Advocate, helping to facilitate projects and activities designed to enable students from a disadvantaged background to make an informed decision about higher education. Zack’s commitment to EDI is unmatched.

He has worked to tie his experiences and knowledge together to drive positive progress within our department.