Appreciative inquiry (AI) offers a constructive, strengths-based framework for engaging students and staff in the enhancement of academic programmes of study. This paper explores the basis of AI, its potential for educational development and the many agendas it might help address. Students and academic staff involved in an AI project, focused on improving inclusivity across an Institute of Education, share their experiences and reveal how the approach can be used in practice. In the process, they discuss their learning from the experience and establish the power of envisioning development on the basis of hearing the positive student voice.