04/13/2026

What is it like to be a Student Academic Integrity Ambassador?

by Janani Palanikumar and Aadarsh Srinivasan

Image credit: Claudia Gottwald, Janani Palanikumar and Aadarsh Srinivasan

The Academic Integrity Ambassador program is a student leadership program aimed at promoting a culture of academic integrity at Adelaide University, South Australia, guided by Program Coordinator Claudia Gottwald (Student Academic Learning Support), who mentors and supports the team. As ambassadors, we focus on creating awareness around the university’s academic integrity policies and encourage students to engage with the university’s academic support resources and services.

A defining aspect of our role is the Students as Partners approach with student participation in the program development as a collaboration between staff and students with shared responsibility in the creation of program activities. While we actively promote awareness and understanding of academic integrity, we do not provide direct academic guidance.

What exactly do Academic Integrity Ambassadors do?

Our activities are centred around engagement and accessibility. We act as peer educators and advocates, raising awareness about academic integrity policies and promoting ethical study practices. Our role is not to enforce rules, but to make them more accessible and relatable to students through conversations, workshops, and campaigns. Our activities include student led peer-to-peer workshops, support for the organisation of events, conferences and panels, social media and marketing activities, video development, assistance with the creation of educational artwork and resources.

During our workshops, we engage in peer-to-peer conversations and offer general advice around maintaining integrity.  For example, we organised a workshop that promoted the ethical use of AI in academic work, helping students navigate emerging technologies responsibly. During Orientation Week, we introduce new students to the program, familiarising them with academic integrity principles from the very beginning of their university journey.

Some of the additional initiatives we have organised throughout the semester include collaborative events with other student-led university programs to promote academic integrity to a broader student audience. We have also developed promotional videos highlighting academic integrity policies to increase accessibility and engagement, as well as organised conferences to address student queries and provide clarity on these policies.

What kind of events do you run?

We organise interactive workshops, awareness campaigns, and orientation sessions. These events are designed to spark conversation, clarify misconceptions, and encourage students to adopt ethical academic practices early on.

Beyond formal events, peer-to-peer interaction is at the heart of what we do. Through informal conversations, we create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable discussing challenges and gaining general advice on maintaining integrity in their studies.

How does being an ambassador benefit you?

Being part of the program has helped us develop strong communication skills, confidence in public speaking, and the ability to think practically in real-world situations. It also provides leadership experience and the opportunity to work within a dynamic, team-oriented environment.

Our collaboration with Oxford Brookes University in the UK further strengthens the foundation of the program, offering valuable opportunities for professional development. This partnership has contributed significantly to enhancing our skills in public speaking, critical thinking, and leadership.

Overall, the Academic Integrity Ambassador team operates as one of the most efficient and dynamic student teams, driven by a shared commitment to promoting ethical academic practices. Through awareness, engagement, and collaboration, we continue to make a meaningful impact on the student experience.

Janani Palanikumar is a Master of Business Administration (International) student at Adelaide University. 

Aadarsh Srinivasan is a Bachelor of Health and Biomedical Science student at Adelaide University.

Their academic integrity ambassador program coordinator is Claudia Gottwald, Student Academic Learning Support, Adelaide University.
Email: integrityskills@adelaide.edu.au