Managing Student Conflict & Protest...
Why this course?
Managing Student Conflict is becoming an essential skill for staff working in today’s dynamic higher education environments.
Universities and colleges are home to a diverse student population, where critical thinking, personal values and open expression are actively encouraged. This culture of enquiry and activism is to be celebrated—but it also brings challenges when differing viewpoints, identities or beliefs come into conflict.
Whether disagreements arise between students or between students and staff, tensions can quickly escalate into difficult conversations or organised group protests. In recent years, staff across academic and non-academic roles have reported increasing uncertainty around how to manage one-to-one student interactions and respond appropriately to public demonstrations.
Emotions may run high, and without the right tools or support, these moments can feel daunting or disruptive. When not handled carefully, conflict can undermine learning, erode trust and create lasting tension within the university community.
Managing Student Conflict requires a calm, informed and proactive approach. By equipping staff with the skills to de-escalate situations, maintain psychological safety, and uphold institutional values while respecting student voices, institutions can create more resilient, inclusive, and constructive learning environments for all.
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What does it cover
Practical Training for Managing Student Conflict & Protest in Education Settings
Managing Student Conflict & Protest are two engaging, interactive training courses designed to help education sector professionals navigate challenging student interactions with greater confidence and empathy. These courses address both one-to-one conversations and group protest scenarios, equipping staff with the self-awareness, communication strategies, and conflict management techniques needed to de-escalate tension and respond effectively.
The ‘Managing Student Conflict’ Situations course focuses on one-to-one interactions, exploring how individual behaviours and motivations—from both students and staff—shape the outcome of difficult conversations. Through powerful live drama scenarios, participants learn how to apply proven communication and conflict resolution techniques to create more productive and respectful dialogues.
The ‘Managing Student Protests’ course supports staff in confidently addressing group protests and campus disruptions, while respecting students’ rights to protest and freedom of expression. Using immersive drama-based learning, this course offers insight into the student perspective and explores how to balance the right to peaceful protest with the need to maintain an environment conducive to learning. With a strong focus on language, listening, and supportive engagement, staff leave the session feeling empowered to manage student protests with empathy, professionalism, and clarity—ensuring all voices are heard and potential conflicts are handled constructively.
The high ratings are based on the quality of delivery and content of the course.
HOW DO WE DELIVER IT?
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COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT Managing Student Conflict & Protest
How do these courses help in managing student conflict and protest?
The Managing Student Conflict and protest courses provide university and college staff with the skills, confidence and strategies needed to navigate difficult student interactions and emotionally charged group situations. Whether dealing with one-to-one conversations or public demonstrations, these courses offer practical tools for responding calmly and professionally.
Delivered through interactive, drama-based learning, participants engage with realistic scenarios that reflect the challenges faced on campus. This experiential approach allows staff to observe conflict in action, practise managing student conflict in a safe environment, and receive immediate feedback on how their words, tone and actions impact others.
Key techniques include how to:
- De-escalate rising tension without compromising authority
- Communicate clearly, consistently and empathetically under pressure
- Support students’ right to expression while maintaining a respectful, disruption-free learning environment
- Recognise how staff behaviour can influence student reactions in protest situations
By increasing self-awareness, enhancing communication skills and building confidence, these courses empower staff to manage student conflict with greater clarity and control—supporting a campus culture that is inclusive, respectful and resilient.
What learning methods are used in Managing Student Conflict & Protest courses
The Managing Student Conflict & Protest courses are delivered through highly engaging, interactive learning methods that place participants at the heart of the experience. Our approach combines theory with practice using immersive, drama-based techniques that reflect real-world challenges faced in higher education settings.
Both courses use forum theatre, live-acted scenarios, and reflective role-play to simulate common conflict and protest situations. This experiential learning environment allows staff to observe emotional dynamics, practise difficult conversations, and explore the consequences of different responses—all within a psychologically safe space.
By stepping into realistic scenarios, participants gain:
- Practical experience applying conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques
- Greater self-awareness around their own communication style and responses under pressure
- Confidence to manage student conflict in real-time, whether one-to-one or during group protest situations
This method ensures the Managing Student Conflict & Protest courses are not only memorable and engaging, but immediately applicable—helping staff build the skills needed to create safer, more respectful and inclusive campus environments.
How long are the courses, and do they require any prior experience?
Both Managing Student Conflict and Protest courses are designed to be accessible, engaging, and time-efficient. Each course is delivered as a half-day session, and they can be booked individually or combined to form a full-day training programme—depending on the needs of your institution.
No prior experience in conflict resolution, protest management or drama-based training is required. These courses are suitable for all staff working in higher or further education, across academic, pastoral, and support roles. Whether you’re engaging students in the classroom, advising them in one-to-one settings, or involved in campus operations, the training provides practical tools that can be applied immediately.
The Managing Student Conflict courses are intentionally designed to build confidence from the ground up—supporting participants to reflect, practise, and develop communication and de-escalation skills in a safe, inclusive environment.
How long are the courses, and do they require any prior experience?
Both Managing Student Conflict and Protest courses are designed to be accessible, engaging, and time-efficient. Each course is delivered as a half-day session, and they can be booked individually or combined to form a full-day training programme—depending on the needs of your institution.
No prior experience in conflict resolution, protest management or drama-based training is required. These courses are suitable for all staff working in higher or further education, across academic, pastoral, and support roles. Whether you’re engaging students in the classroom, advising them in one-to-one settings, or involved in campus operations, the training provides practical tools that can be applied immediately.
The Managing Student Conflict courses are intentionally designed to build confidence from the ground up—supporting participants to reflect, practise, and develop communication and de-escalation skills in a safe, inclusive environment.
What Makes the Managing Student Conflict & Protest Courses Different from Other Training?
The Managing Student Conflict & Protest courses stand out due to their unique blend of drama-based learning, real-world relevance, and deep customisation. Unlike traditional training sessions that rely on slides or lectures, our courses immerse participants in realistic, emotionally authentic scenarios that mirror the challenges faced by education professionals today.
Using live actors, forum theatre and reflective facilitation, learners don’t just hear about techniques—they see them in action, practise them in the moment, and receive direct feedback on their communication style, emotional responses and decision-making under pressure. This experiential format creates lasting behavioural change and boosts confidence in handling difficult student interactions or protests.
Additionally, the Managing Student Conflict courses are fully adaptable to your institution’s context. We work closely with you to tailor scenarios and delivery style based on your policies, challenges and learner needs—making the training not only engaging, but truly relevant and practical for your staff.
Are these Managing Student Conflict & Protest course for all employees or just managers?
Yes — the Managing Student Conflict & Protest courses are designed for all education sector employees, not just managers. Whether you work in a teaching, administrative, pastoral, estates, or student-facing support role, the skills taught in these sessions are universally relevant and immediately applicable.
The training focuses on real-life scenarios that any staff member may encounter—ranging from one-to-one conversations with students to managing tension in public protest situations. The techniques covered support communication, de-escalation, and emotional self-awareness, all of which are essential in today’s higher education environment.
That said, if your organisation would prefer to deliver the Managing Student Conflict & Protest courses specifically to managers, team leaders or a particular department, we can absolutely tailor the content to meet those needs. Our flexible approach means we adapt the training to reflect the roles, responsibilities and challenges of your learners—ensuring maximum impact and relevance.
how good are we?
THE ted Learning Guarantee!
We have been delivering highly impactful drama-based learning for over 13 years.
If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with the learning we provide and the learner feedback reflects this, we will put it right at no additional cost or give you your money back.
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