Extant literature depicts theoretical territories of student voice and partnership as discrete categories. In this article, we argue that this depiction limits practice. We posit instead that theorisation which advances holistic voice and partnership through an active student participation (ASP) approach is necessary for liberatory higher education informed by practitioners and researchers together. We draw on emergent examples in practice which offer opportunities for further development for theorists and practitioners to create novel research opportunities. Through drawing on conceptions of student partnership pedagogy as a tool to address grand challenges, and an acknowledgement of the power potential in student voice and representation roles, we advance new possibility for transformative higher education for students. Ultimately, we advance an ASP approach which crosses the student voice and partnership partition towards a holistic and integrated active and collective student engagement and responsibility for higher education.