Experience

• NUS National Executive Committee 2010-2012
• Communications and Internal Affairs Officer, Leeds University Union 2010-2011
• NUS NEC Antiracism Antifascism Campaign Co-convenor 2010-2012
• NUS Women’s Campaign Committee 2011-2012
• General Student Rep, Union Council, LUU 2009-2010
• NUS Delegate 2008-2010
• Student Society Chair, LUU 2008-2009

This is my fifth year in the student movement and I have been lucky enough to not only experience the power of student activism, but to also take a lead in giving others this experience.

Communications and Internal Affairs Officer, Leeds University Union

As CIA officer, I was at the forefront of fighting against cuts and fees, and for access, both locally in Leeds, and nationally. I believe in harnessing both short-term reactive tactics, such as protesting and lobbying, with long-term strategy for a better HE. As an officer in LUU I won locally on my campus and in turn, played a part in setting the agenda for the coming years.

Outspoken against fees and cuts

• Working closely with Leeds Met, we ensured that 750 students and staff, including those in FE colleges, were able to travel to the London November 10th Demo
• I organised a local demo of 3,000 students, school children, teachers, parents, lecturers and trade unions on Wednesday 24th December 2010
• I ensured students were heard in both the local and national press, including participating in a live debate on Channel 4 news on the night the Browne Review was released
• Organised education events around the attack on HE and employed a variety of tactics, from letter writing, to staging a funeral for HE, and even a Nick Clegg dancing flash mob. This made sure the campaign was accessible and broad
• I lead a deputation to Leeds City Council that demanded they investigated and mitigated the affects of increased fees in the city
• Together with the Education officer, I gave a statement to my University Council against an increase in fees, forcing the debate over the course of the term
• I ensured widening participation taken seriously in my institution; ensuring bursaries and housing costs were covered for students who needed support
• I established a close working relationship with Leeds Uni UCU, and supported them in both local and national action

A long-term strategy for partnership between students, their Union and their University

Once my university had decided on £9k fees, we realised how important it was to negate the very dangerous consequences of this. We knew that the students’ union played a vital role in ensuring students were at the heart of the university. I decided that we needed to create a long-term agenda for partnership work between LUU and the university.

Together with my team, we created ‘A Blueprint for Partnership’

This dealt with all aspects for the university experience:
- Access and retention
- A culture for learning
- Ensuring the best student experience
- Living in Leeds

As an officer in LUU, I helped to create an open, democratic and campaigning union. We established a new democratic process that brought that brought school reps, student societies and students in the community into the heart of our decision-making.

Postgraduate Student, London School of Economics

I am currently studying for an MSc in Human Rights. My experience this year has given me a deeper understanding of the difficulties faced by postgraduate taught students in the UK – from hidden course costs to funding and part-time study. The process of taught postgraduate study is fast-paced and my experiences have given me a much broader understanding of the difficulties faced by postgrad students.

NUS National Executive Council

This is my second year on the NUS NEC Block of 15.

I have spent my time building relationships with students’ unions, ensuring that they have a voice within NUS democracy. I have spoken on the power of collectivism and students’ unions at conferences such as Amnesty Student Conference, Impact 2012 and AUA Conference.

Antiracism Antifascism Co-convenor

• Last year I worked with Holocaust Education Trust to organise an educational trip for student officers to Auschwitz concentration camp
• I have helped students’ unions pass and implement no-platform policies
• I co-wrote a blog with Liam Burns, on the power of student action, for Holocaust Memorial Day

NUS Women’s Committee

I have supported the women’s committee in all aspects of its work.

• Prepared for and attended Reclaim the Night - London
• Submitted policy on the damage the new HE regime will do to women
• Attended training events and supported women officers and activists

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