AMLÉ Open Access & Modernising Assessment Position Paper: Student-centred policy recommendations

The AMLÉ Open Access & Modernising Position Paper is a new output from Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn, the national students' union of Ireland, which sets out student and researcher-centred stances and policy recommendations for students' union representatives and higher education policymakers for developing more open, equitable learning environments.

This position paper was developed democratically within AMLÉ over the past year, as student members had mandated the development of a position paper on these topics at the annual Comhdháil (Congress) of the organisation in 2023 and 2025. This paper was developed as a joint initiative between the Vice President for Postgraduate Affairs of AMLÉ, Madeline Jane (MJ) Quill and the Vice President for Academic Affairs of AMLÉ, Emma Muldoon-Ryan.

Over the course of the last 6 months, this paper was developed through a series of open drop-in sessions and a consultative survey, enabling students, researchers and their representatives to provide their inputs on the paper, what topics they felt should be included, and the recommendations that should be given.

Alongside these consultations, much research was done into current guidance in these areas from organisations such as the Higher Education Authority, Quality and Qualifications Ireland, the European Students' Union and the European Council of Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers, to ensure that international and national best practices in higher education were reflected in this paper.

The paper was then subsequently presented to Comhdháil AMLÉ 2026, and passed through a unanimous vote by the 300+ student delegates attending the conference, signifying the approval of the 300,000+ students and researchers AMLÉ represents.

Going forward, it is hoped this paper will provide a guiding framework to students' unions and HEIs alike on how to develop policies, projects and initiatives enabling open education and new, modern forms of asssessment.