Better Education, Better Community. I'm Always Working for YOU.
As your current UG AHSS Faculty Rep, and UG HAPP School Rep, I have already been working hard on various projects to improve our learning environment and life on campus, working closely with students and staff on both a school and faculty level.
BUT I'M NOT FINISHED YET!
I am keen to continue this work and take on board new projects to continue to improve our experience here at QUB.
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What Have I Been Working On?
(and what I'd like to continue doing if I was re-elected)
LECTURE CAPTURE
I have and will continue to work with staff across the faculty to change their lecture recording policies, encouraging lecturers to record their lectures and implementing these policies faculty-wide. For lecturers that opt out of lecture recording, I will ensure that they provide supplementary learning materials, so something is provided.
Amongst many things, I understand that the cost of living is a real issue and having lectures recorded helps to compensate for the fact that many students must work part-time jobs to pay for our day-to-day living, especially those of us that have to pay for rent and travel.
If I am re-elected, I will continue to work with staff across the faculty to encourage lecture recording policies. You shouldn’t have to suffer just because you cannot make it to a class.
IMPROVING CANVAS MODULES
I have already been working with various staff across QUB to change how Canvas is used. I’ve been working to make Canvas more accessible for students and include more learning resources other than simply a list of lengthy readings and PowerPoint slides from each week’s lecture.
We all learn in different ways, some by watching videos or listening to podcasts to help us understand difficult topics and others by more traditional methods.
This is why I want to continue to explore different learning resources, searching for Canvas modules that closely follow the VLE minimum standards. These ‘best practice’ modules are those that include a wide range of learning resources, such as documentaries, podcasts, pre-recorded lectures, quizzes, etc. to help students understand these difficult topics without stressing about their learning.
MORE ACADEMIC SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
I have been collaborating with the Learning Development Service (LDS) to ensure a wide range of detailed academic resources including guides on referencing, research, academic essay writing, etc. are embedded into Canvas. If I am re-elected, I will continue to ensure that these resources are clearly signposted and available on Canvas for students, so they don’t ever feel stressed or worried about their assignments.
AN INCLUSIVE STUDENT COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT FOR CLUBS/SOCIETIES
I really want students to feel more at home during their time at QUB. I have already been working with numerous staff and students to both fix up existing student social spaces across campus and implement new social spaces for students to use as a place to study or relax.
I also want to encourage the five schools in AHSS to work closely with each other, hosting social events in cooperation with student clubs and societies to create a community which combines students’ learning environment with their on-campus social life.
PROMOTING AND MAINTAINING A SAFE AND WELCOMING CAMPUS EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS
I will continue to promote mental health awareness and support across the faculty as a top priority, ensuring that guidance is widely available and well-signposted, so students feel supported. I want to continue to promote mental health training and workshops such as the ‘Look After You’re Mate’ programme that took place last semester to help spread awareness and destigmatise mental health.
I have also been working with the current UG SSESW School Rep to refine policies surrounding sexual harassment and safety on campus to ensure students feel protected. If I were to be re-elected, I will continue to lead this campaign and ensure that quality measures are present across the faculty to make students feel safe on campus.
