AN EDUCATION EXPERIENCE THAT WORKS FOR ALL.
| No more Exploitation. No more Isolation.
| A vote for me is a vote for Fair Fees, Sufficient Stipends, Community, Accessible Education, Mental Health support, Professional development and a VOICE.
ABOUT ME
I'm Nadine, and I know how to get you, the students, what you want.
I have worked closely with Student Voice and your Full-time officers for the past three years, starting in Council and into two years as Biological Sciences school rep and one as MHLS Faculty rep. During this time I have helped create better social spaces and events for students in my school, promoted and encouraged relationships with academic societies and continued to improve students' academic experiences - no matter how small. Additionally, I have spent time on the Feminist and Equality Society committee and played a part in Campaigns and protests across the university.
I know the SU and the university education systems and out and am deeply passionate about driving meaningful change. I am confident in representing your views to anyone, from Lecturers to the pro-vice-chancellor, and I'll work tirelessly to advocate for YOU.
MY PRIORITIES
- Fair fees and Sufficient Funding
- Postgraduate Community
- Education Accessibility and Mental Health support
- Reform Postgraduate Student Voice
- Effective Professional development
1. FAIR FEES AND SUFFICENT FUNDING
Down with the Academiarchy!
With the maximum postgraduate Tuition loan at £6,500 for resident students and fees at £20,500 or more for International students. Many students are unable to afford to live before they even begin paying rent or the hidden costs in their courses.
Stipends fall below a living wage or are entirely absent. Many students are paying extortionate tuition fees for the 'privilege' of doing free research for the university.
- Fight for Sufficient Stipends and ensure postgraduates are celebrated for their research, not exploited.
- Advocate for PG student's rights, benefits and protections, just like the full-time staff they are treated as. (Compassionate leave, parental leave, sick pay and a fair wage)
- Continue to work with the SU on current cost-of-living initiatives, such as the free breakfasts and lunches, and ensure postgraduates are aware of these schemes.
- Continue campaigns for Transport discounts for students outside of the ylink threshold.
2. POSTGRADUATE COMMUNITY
Fostering Community to create an Education that works for all.
It's no secret that postgraduates often face isolation due to demanding workloads, financial pressures, and limited opportunities to socialise, many struggle to find a sense of belonging.
- Launch Skill Swap Workshops, focus on peer-led learning and professional development, encourage community and mutual support among students and provide recognition.
- Increase Inclusion in Clubs and societies by introducing postgraduate freshers events, advanced academic society involvement and events that fit Postgraduate schedules.
- I will regulate workloads, set a standard among supervisors and support student's boundaries between work and personal life to prevent postgraduate burnout.
- Create Postgraduate and Mature Student space throughout accommodation, School and Social areas, allowing Postgrads to begin to feel a part of a bigger community
3. EDUCATION ACCESSIBILITY and MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Postgrads demand help with Stress, Workload and Transition into PhDs NOW!
- Tailored guidance for Parents and Carers who balance studies with life commitments, fight for Access to compassionate leave and financial support in difficult periods.
- Support Neurodivergent students to study and complete their research on campus with comfortable spaces within their schools to study in addition to the current graduate school.
- Improve Mental health support and Initiatives for Postgrads. Postgrads are the demographic struggling most with their mental health and yet receive the least guidance. Collaborate with other student officer to create wellbeing events targeted to postgraduate needs.
- Provide advisors and supervisors with proper skills and training to signpost and support students' Mental health and well-being.
4. REFORM POSTGRADUATE STUDENT VOICE
Queen's should put YOU at the forefront of all initiatives and this only works if you have a voice
I will:
- Represent your views confidently to the staff of your schools and make sure your views do not go unrepresented.
- Enhance Postgraduate representation throughout Student Voice and amplify the demands and needs of our Postgraduates as and when you, the students, raise them.
- Empower Faculty, School and Course reps to take control of their role and make effective change in their courses.
- Create Sustainable feedback channels for students so that from year to year and election to election their voice is never silenced.
5. EFFECTIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Support our Future Academics.
- Implement development sessions on key skills like Paper submissions, Grant writing, Interview guidance, and continuous career support in the years after graduation to give each student extensive and tailored skills.
- Continue ongoing work to Implement Fair Placement payments and increase placement opportunities for postgraduate students. In a world demanding years of experience just to get into industry, our students need these opportunities now more than ever before.
