Building Humanised Student Evaluation of Teaching: A7cs Frameworkfor Higher Education

Abstract

Student Evaluation of Teaching (SET) is one of the most widely adoptedmechanisms for assessing teaching quality in higher education, yet persistent criticisms highlight its limitations, including bias, reductionism, and its inability to capture the multidimensionality of ef ective pedagogy (Hornstein, 2019; Richardson, 2021). This paper explores the development andapplication of a 7Cs Humanised SET Framework—comprising Care, Clarity, Connection, Creativity, Challenge, Competence, and Contextualisation—as aresponse to these critiques. Drawing on survey data, semi-structuredinterviews, and focus groups conducted in a multi-campus university setting, the study examines how a holistic evaluation framework can capture the livedexperiences of students while supporting institutional accountability. Findings reveal that students consistently prioritise relational and af ectivedimensions of teaching (Care and Connection), alongside structural andpedagogical elements (Clarity, Challenge, and Competence). Creativity andContextualisation emerged as critical but under-assessed domains that distinguish transformative teaching practices from routine delivery. The studyalso surfaces tensions between humanised feedback and managerial imperatives for quantifiable metrics. The paper proposes a Humanised SET Model that integrates the 7Cs withinamixed-methods evaluation cycle, balancing quantitative reliability withqualitative richness. The implications for policy, faculty development, andinstitutional culture are considered, positioning the framework as a replicableinnovation for universities seeking to enhance teaching quality without sacrificing humanity.