The phrase "substantive way" means in a significant or important manner. It refers to doing something meaningful or making a real difference. Full definition
Do your students opinions about education differ from your own in substantive ways? (soundout.org)
They will be places where lawyers will not simply network with each other, but also work with each other and share resources with each other in more substantive ways. (lawsitesblog.com)
Even if student mentors are not counted as instructors — as the inspector general claims — students interact in regular and substantive ways with course instructors. (educationnext.org)