What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

Being the current Postgraduate Officer for the Students’ Union, I’m
familiar with the roles and responsibilities expected of me so would
smoothly transition into my new role. My work within the English and
Creative Writing Department as academic representative for the last three
years has made me familiar with the current issues students are facing
and how best to find out and solve them.

My experience volunteering in other university societies, projects and
events makes me very versatile, working effectively in both teams and
leadership roles, such as Head Project Leader for the Little Free Library,
Curtain Call secretary, and Superteams.

Overall, I'm organised and a good listener and problem-solver so would
stay dedicated and motivated to finding a suitable solution. I would work
closely with academic representatives and all departments, increasing
awareness of support offered by the library and careers services, making
them clearer and easier to access.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

1- Accessibility and Inclusion: Support for mental health, disabilities and neurodivergences must be more accessible. The current provisions in place are often too draining and overwhelming to chase up. As a type 1 diabetic, I’m familiar with how illness can disrupt your studies and what the university can do to make the course more accessible for you. As someone queer, I understand how feeling isolated can affect your course.

2- Cost of Living Crisis: We need more financial support and advice on
budgeting and guidance. Affordable course books and equipment must be
more readily available to students, and lecturers must keep reading lists
up to date so students don't spend money unnecessarily on course
materials.

3- Preparing for life after graduation: Students need more support working out how to apply their skills and knowledge they have gained from their degree, and the university must provide more varied support for all careers sectors.

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I will bring inclusive leadership, clear communication, and strong collaboration to strenghen the bond between students and the university.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

Accomodation challenges, Mental health support gaps, and academic pressure, leading to stress and workload concerns.

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I am a post-graduate student with a Masters in Business Administration (project management) and am pursuing an MA in Information Studies and Library Science. I have extensive leadership and communication skills including non-profit board of directors’ experience, management experience within various roles and volunteer experience. I am a creative problem-solver that has led successful teams in several different industries, so change is something I can easily adapt to. I have also been the academic representative for my postgraduate cohort in the Department of Information Studies.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

- The lack of empathy and interpersonal skills from faculty are especially evident within the foundation year. Students have been met with indifference when asking for assistance about marks, studies, or general life questions. Instead of offering constructive discussion, they are told “I don’t know” and are then left to their own devices. Students are struggling because they cannot even turn to their lecturers and personal tutors for proper advice.

- Students are not learning the skills that they are supposed to be taught. Curriculum currently being taught in the foundation year is not up to other UK universities.

- Students are not being set up for success and are left to flounder. Useful workshops are not either 1) being held or 2) being taught successfully. However, some lectures and workshops have been done multiple times to the exact same group of people when something more constructive should be presented.

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I care about students Opportunities most of all and am myself apart of many
societies e.g book club, dance, aerial fitness and the phyte club. Being
apart of these societies helps me appreciate how important connection is
and how beneficial it is to students well-being to be apart of
societies/clubs that can bring that sense of community and friendship
that’s lacking purely from academics.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

Top 3 issues I would say are: stress, loneliness and balance. I’ve felt
coming to university was a major leap from before. There’s so many more
stresses that come with young adulthood not to mention forming
relationships and new friendships and balancing studies on top of that. As
Opportunties officer I’d like to support people with this integration and help
them know they aren’t alone despite how overwhelming everything can
feel at times

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I have been union chairperson for the last 2 years, I’m in the committee of
a society, I’m in two sport clubs, I’m the project leader for a volunteer
project, I volunteer a lot. If there is something under the opportunities
ombrella, I’m involved in it, so I feel I bring a unique perspective to the
role. I am chairperson of a swimming league with over 60 universities and
I was last year’s Welsh Volunteer of the Year. But beyond that I just really
love the Undeb and I want a chance to leave my mark.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

A really big problem for students is cost of living, student loans don’t really
reflect what people need and that forces people to work while studying
which shouldn’t be necessary, another big problem is housing, a lot of
student housing is treated as second class by the landlord because it’s
“student” which leads to health issues and simply feeing worse because
the space you live in is not maintained correctly. Another big problem with
students is the lack of future prospects, a lack of graduate jobs for after
university for a good amount of degrees

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I am very passionate about bringing opportunities for students to graduate with more than a degree. As a fine art student I bring a creative mindset and openness to all skillsets and interests. After three years of being a student representative, I am enthusiastic about the benefits of employment and volunteering alongside studies.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

1. Employment opportunities for students. Continuing to promote volunteering experiences for the student body and the value of experience following university.

2. Continuing to provide engaging social events to create a better sense of community across the university, bettering engagement to events currently held by the university and the Undeb.

3. Strengthening society opportunities with ease of funding for membership and equipment, as well as creating better communication between society committees and the Undeb.

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I’m a dedicated person who has contributed to every aspect of the Welsh culture of Aberystwyth. I have been an active member of UMCA. I was elected as vice-president and Activities Officer to UMCA’s committee. These roles have given me the opportunity to socialise and support the members, as well as familiarise myself with the needs of UMCA. I’m friendly but firm, qualities that will enable me to communicate effectively with my co-workers as well as make decisions independently. Through winning public speaking competitions, I developed into a confident, disciplined, and interactive person. These are qualities that ensure that I will be able to sit on a variety of committees and councils as a strong representation of UMCA. I’m an enthusiastic and reliable person and the opportunities that I have had to highlight Welsh as an UMCA representative on the Undeb Senedd is proof of this. I’m a determined and ambitious person, and I’m ready to stand up for the Welsh language and UMCA in this role

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

An issue of concern is the cost-of-living crisis, which effects our lives and the university: through cutting back on jobs, funding departments or provisions. This is a bigger living threat to us Welsh speaking students, the minority. We must ensure that there’s enough of a provision of Welsh medium modules to give us the chance to learn and to present work in our mother tongue. An issue that comes from this problem, is the strain on students’ wellbeing. In a representative union, it’s of great importance that the voice of students is heard and respected, to ensure care for their wellbeing. Finally, an issue very close to my heart as a student is living in Welsh in Pantycelyn Halls. It’s only fair that Welsh speaking students have a place to be immersed in their culture, the Welsh language and the Welsh speaking community. It’s crucial that students who don’t speak Welsh don’t take advantage of the site.

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

My ability to understand people’s emotions and empathy make me friendly and approachable. My friends describe me as being an active listener and kind, as well as lively and understanding. I am passionate about projects I undertake and strive to work with a team to represent all students’ interests in wellbeing and liberation matters. My experiences as a peer guide and academic rep have helped me develop appropriate skills to help people with mental health issues within university systems. I am a driven person who advocates for better access to mental health care.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

I believe that the three main issues affecting students’ wellbeing now are loneliness, mental health and living costs. Both British and international students often describe their first year in university as lonely and challenging when looking back, and I aim to change that. Loneliness can be harmful and impede on students’ ability to make the most of their time at university. Organising moments when they can meet new people throughout the entire year can be a way to tackle that issue. Living costs are also a big source of anxiety for students, meaning they have to get jobs, sometimes at the expense of their degrees. Mental health is an overall problem that is not addressed enough. Better support systems need to be implemented for students to be able to reach out to wellbeing services and get help when they need it, whether be it for academic or personal reasons. Wellbeing services need to be centralised and better advertised.

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I bring empathy, warmth, and a genuine passion for student wellbeing. I am someone people feel comfortable talking to, and I take concerns seriously. I listen without judgement and believe everyone deserves to feel valued and respected. I am organised and proactive, so I don’t just talk about change, I work towards it. I’m confident representing students in meetings, but I also believe leadership starts with listening. I care deeply about equality, diversity, and creating spaces where students feel safe to be themselves. Most importantly, I am committed, reliable, and ready to show up consistently for students.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

Mental health is a major challenge. Many students silently deal with stress, anxiety, and pressure to succeed. We need better awareness around mental health so students know they are not alone and that it is okay to ask for support. It’s important that everyone understands the help available and feels encouraged to access it when needed.

Financial stress is another big issue. The rising living costs, accommodation fees, and course-related expenses are placing growing pressure on students, while inadequate bursaries and uneven access to part-time work opportunities create further barriers. This disproportionately impacts those from low-income backgrounds, exacerbating stress and directly affecting both academic performance and overall wellbeing.

Lastly, feeling unseen or unheard affects many students. Not everyone feels represented or included. Building a stronger sense of belonging and creating safe, inclusive spaces must be a priority for underrepresented groups like disabled students, LGBTQ+ students, and those from ethnic minority backgrounds.

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I’m a physically disabled post graduate student who is also neurodivergent and bi. I have direct experience with how union and university policies impact students. I have experienced running student societies during my undergraduate year and I have effectively taken part in efforts to make universities departments change their policies for the better.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

Ensuring the union supports LGBTQ+ students to ensure the university respects their rights dispute a changing legal environment. To improve accessibility for students with disabilities who often have difficulties getting to and from assigned classrooms and for neurodivergent students who need additional support. Make student support work better for all students.

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I will bring strong communication skills to the role, with the ability to clearlycommunicate information, liaise with a range of individuals and groups and to advocate for university students.

I also have strong organisational skills and can manage multiple projects, events, and responsibilities whilst ensuring deadlines are met and work is completed to a high standard.

I can actively listen and understand students' diverse experiences and challenges. I believe that this, along with a natural empathy, will allow meto build trust and provide a supportive place for students to seek guidance.

I am a strong team player with the flexibility to adapt my approach to each team project based on requirements and team dynamics, ensuring projects are successful and completed on time.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

1. Financial hardship and the visibility of available resources to help with managing finances, as well as availability and visibility of sources of assistance, aid with financial hardship funding and tips on how to manage money.

2. Student well-being and mental health, especially in terms of anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as the accessibility of both internal and external support services and information.

3. Accessibility and accommodations - accessibility of the university and the resources available, assistance in accessing accommodations and understanding of both support services and academic departments about suitable accommodations.

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I greatly recognise the importance of intersectionality in every aspect of existence and like to ensure that everybody has the chance to have their voice heard. I am also very passionate about work surrounding improving the wellbeing of others, and am confident that I’d use that passion as a fuel to help make change. I take great pride on being solutions-focused, prioritising preventative support for potential future incidents while also holding patience for those needing support in the moment. Having been the Transgender and GNC student’s officer this year, I already have a some experience within the Undeb, meaning I already have an understanding of how campaigns and events run. I am committed to ensuring that every student feels that there is enough support in place for them and that their concerns are heard, especially those in marginalised communities.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

A lot of students tend to feel their voice isn’t heard, so don’t bother with raising any concerns they have. It is important that students understand that their voices and concerns not just can, but should be heard.

The cost of living crisis is still greatly affecting students and, while Aber is offering more support than many universities, more can be done to offer support to those students who are feeling the crunch of it.

Mental health support is still a great hurdle that many students cannot get past. Waitlists are skyrocketing and the stigma isn’t shifting. It is important for students to be able to receive adequate care and support for any mental health struggles.           

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

Stepping into the role of Student Wellbeing Officer isn’t just about holding a title; it’s about being the person someone can turn to when things feel overwhelming. I bring a genuine sense of empathy and approachability, ensuring that any student—regardless of their background—feels comfortable walking up to me for a chat. I’m a firm believer that active listening is the foundation of support, and I’ll provide a non-judgmental space for everyone to feel truly heard.

Beyond being a friendly face, I bring the resilience and grit needed to advocate for us at the highest levels. I’m not afraid to be a persistent voice in meetings to ensure mental health resources are actually accessible, not just a link on a website. I’m organized, proactive, and deeply committed to building a campus culture where looking after our mental health is treated with the same importance as grades.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

Right now, the student experience is being squeezed by three major pressures that often go overlooked.

1. First is the mental toll of the cost-of-living crisis; it’s hard to focus on a degree when you’re constantly stressed about jobs and opportunities, paying rents or skipping meals just to get by.

2. ⁠Second is the crushing weight of academic burnout. We’re living in an "always-on" culture where the pressure to be perfect and land the dream job leads to a cycle of exhaustion and anxiety that feels impossible to break.

3. ⁠Finally, there’s a quiet epidemic of isolation. Even on a crowded campus, it’s easy to feel lonely or like you don’t quite fit the mold, especially for international or neurodivergent students. Settling in a different place, making friends stresses out people.

My goal is to tackle these head-on by advocating for better financial support opportunities, more flexible academic safety nets, and genuine community spaces where everyone feels they truly belong.

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I am an active listener, allowing me to represent a student’s concerns, so that they are signposted to the relevant source of support. As an international student, I appreciate that wellbeing is multi-layered and is not a one-size-fits-all. This is an awareness which I feel is significant to representing any community, as changemakers need to embrace the differences existing in the groups they are representing to best understand their needs.

I can bring people together to achieve a desired goal. This would promote community building in wellbeing. Making an impact is also about understanding my limitations and relying on the qualities that others bring to achieve a common goal. In the words of Bantu communities, "Ubuntu"- "I am because we are".

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

Mental Health-Students are struggling silently and often do not feel they can vocalise this in certain spaces. They grapple with deadlines, challenging modules and special circumstances which affect their ability to perform to the best of their ability.

Finding Jobs is a massive stressor. Job security often creates room for other freedoms such as social enjoyment and travelling. Some students cannot plan travels locally, regionally or internationally because they would rather secure a job and save money to do the things they love most in the long-term.

There is a desperation for financial security, resulting in students settling for inaccessible jobs, hostile working environments or unfriendly employers in town, which in turn influences their ability to show up happy and healthy.

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

Hi, I am Tomos!! I am running for the position of Union Chairperson! I
would bring fairness, patience, and strong listening skills to the role. I
enjoy leading discussions, but I value listening even more, and I always
make sure everyone has the chance to share their views, undergraduates
and postgraduates.
My experience as the chair of my college’s student union taught me how a
union works and how important it is to stand up for students. My work with
charities and community organisations has helped me develop skills in
organising, supporting people, and building positive partnerships. These
are the skills that will help me run the Senedd smoothly and assure the
students that their voice is being heard!
When decisions need to be made, I do not act alone; I speak with those
affected and make sure their ideas shape the outcome. As Senedd
meetings are open, I would like to create them as a more open,
welcoming space where students feel comfortable getting involved.
Overall, I want to help build a more inclusive, supportive Aber where
every voice is heard, valued, and welcomed!
 

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

The three biggest issues I want to tackle are safety, engagement, and
affordability. First, we need a safe, spike-free Aber. Students should feel
confident on nights out, so I want to work with venues, the SU, and the
university to improve prevention, reporting, and support.
Second, I want a more engaged Senedd. Too many students don’t know
what the Senedd does or how to get involved. I will work to make
meetings more accessible, better advertised, and more welcoming so
more students feel confident taking part and shaping decisions.
Finally, campus needs to be more affordable. With rising costs, students
are struggling with food, rent, and essentials. I want to push for clearer
support, better value services, and practical steps that make everyday life
less expensive

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I’m an active person and passionate towards the language, which are crucial qualities for the role.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

Cost of living pressures and money problems – about one in every ten students use food banks because of housing costs, this isn’t acceptable.

Mental health problems and wellbeing – 122,500 students from the UK reported a mental health condition in 2023/24, it must be tackled.

Education reach and inequality – specifically for Welsh speaking students. The University doesn’t have an idea of how hard it can be to do a degree in your second language (through English). They must be made aware of these problems, alongside drawing attention to the poor quality of Welsh medium education in some departments.

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I am enthusiastic about environmentalism and ecology, backed with a knowledge of environmental issues we face, and armed with ideas on how to tackle them. Furthermore, I will gauge the opinions of students, and use this to advocate strongly for increased environmental action. By providing this outlet for students, I believe much can be achieved.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

I will campaign for more lights on campus to be turned off when the rooms are not in use. This will help improve the university's finances, whilst also helping to improve Aberystwyth University's environmental sustainability practices.

To encourage greater recycling, I will push for having machines, which allow students to recycle glass, metal and plastic containers in exchange for competition entries/entry tickets. Also, I will push for greater separation of recycling and general waste, for outdoor and indoor bins.

I will suggest more environmentally sustainable food packaging to be used in the Student Union, and wider campus.

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I have always had an environmental oriented mindset, this is represented in my volunteering work for various trusts such as the RSPB and The Wildlife Trust. I am a confident speaker as reflected when I am teaching 20-30 aspiring children with a team in a science lab as my job outside of University. I also have great organisational skills from organising events to raise money for CBUK and Jacksons Wildlife Rescue, proving that I can also organise events to raise awareness for local charities and environmental issues. I have a very friendly demeanour that makes it easy to build rapport with anyone.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

1. Mental health, especially during the exam periods - procrastination, stress, self doubt, anxiety and depression.

2. Financial stresses that not everyone feels they can talk about openly.

3. Not having self-confidence to jump into new societies and meet new people on their own which can worsen home sickness. All of these issues can be supported and made more aware of so people do not feel alone in the issues they may be facing.

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I am a non binary (he/they) bisexual who has been active in the LGBTQIA
+ community for years and always advocating for our rights to be heard
I have been running the Pride Society for a year now, and recently
working with local groups (Specifically LUNA Project) for signposting
students to them for extra support but also for fundraisers and activism
most recently for trans day of remembrance (20 November) but also
recent legislation like the bathroom ban from the courts.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

• Mental health students especially LGBTQIA+ students are struggling heavily
• The pressures of university work pilling up
• Last but not least is accommodation I hear students all the time stressing over accommodation keeping them up and distracting them from enjoying university

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

My drive to make change, communication skills, empathetic nature, and feminism would all be utilized and enhanced by the position of women's officer, as they would all be necessary and highly beneficial for establishing issues affecting women within the university and working towards improving these experiences.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

Arguably, inclusivity, finances and safety are the top three issues affecting students, as they all have the ability to make or break someone's university experience. Because of this, it's important that those in positions of power keep student life safe, inclusive and affordable

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I’m strong, but level-headed when voicing the problems and solutions that matter most to me, and I’m persistent in seeing those problems solved and those solutions put into place. I’m passionate about the rights of, and protection of, women especially in the educational sphere. I dedicate myself fully to researching and understanding problems I have been given, ensuring I’m tackling issues as efficiently and effectively as possible. I try to be an active listener when necessary, so that those talking to me feel comfortable and heard. I’m able to listen to and acknowledge feedback, and assess how I integrate feedback in my future endeavours.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

While Aberystywth, and by extension its University, is an overwhelmingly safe and inclusive place for women, there are still issues of gender-based violence that prevail. From talking to other students and friends, women are still experiencing harassment and (on the rare occasion) spiking during nights out. According to the equality report for 2023-2024, 9.5% of undergraduates that dropped out were trans (an uptick of 4.3% from the previous year). Both FtM and MtF people suffer from misogyny, and I’d like to tackle any issues that affects trans students experiences in Aberystywth. Likewise, there should always be a push to involve women in STEM, even if it’s not a primary educational focus, and I think women still feel discouraged from pursuing STEM even as an extracurricular activity.

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

Ava and Tasha are both passionate about women’s rights and improving life for women. Ava is working towards becoming an OBGYN and an expert in women’s health and Tasha is the current women’s officer, she has been working towards an Anti-Spiking campaign and will continue to carry on.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

- Spiking is a prominent issue
- Finance, as we all know if can be difficult to thrive age university with the funding we have been provided with.
- Mental Health
 

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I’m a physically disabled post graduate student who is also neurodivergent. I have experience with how disabled students need additional needs met and how the university interacts with us.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

Improve the reliability of the lifts and ensure timetabling is better aware of student mobility needs to ensure all students can access Ensure neurodivergent students get the support they need. Ensure all students legal right to equality is respected.

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

Honesty, Experience, Effort

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

Poor access
Environmental degeneration/concern
Cultural Marketisation

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I would say I’m open-minded and like talking to people. I feel like these
qualities would be valued and best suited for the position as I would make
people feel at ease and connect with them hopefully allowing them to be
comfortable and open up about their own experiences.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

Isolation, Disconnection and belonging. Being a person of colour in a
white dominated country often means you’re already different. Everyone
wants to fit in and feel like they belong and I personally relate to the
struggle of bridging that cultural divide. As BAME representative I’d hope
to make everyone know they’re welcome and hopefully to feel a little less
out of place .

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I would bring empathy, reliability, and strong cross-cultural communication
skills to the role of International Student Officer. As someone who
understands the challenges of adapting to a new academic and social
environment, I am patient, approachable, and attentive to individual
needs. I am highly organised and responsible, which allows me to
manage information accurately and support students effectively. I value
inclusivity and actively listen to different perspectives, ensuring
international students feel heard, respected, and supported. In addition, I
am proactive and solution-oriented, always willing to seek guidance or
collaborate with others to resolve issues. With a positive attitude and
genuine commitment to student wellbeing, I aim to create a welcoming
and supportive environment for all international students.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

Cost of living & Financial Pressure
Mental Health & Well-Being – Like many UK universities, students face stress and mental health pressures from academic workload, isolation, and managing money. Support services exist, but demand remains high and some students report challenges accessing timely help.
Library & Study Resources – Students have raised concerns about reduced hours at key study spaces like the Hugh Owen Library, which can affect study routines and academic performance.
 

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I have experience as both an estranged student and a care leaver, facing difficulties as both (with education and experiences with my local authority). I would advocate for the interests of all independent students, to both the uni and other organisations. I would ensure that, with the experiences that I have had, that no independent voice goes unheard. I would also work to create societies and networks in order to ensure that we have ways to share experiences and know that we aren't alone.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

1) For students generally, finances are a large issue. I would be a point of contact to help both us and students supported by their family to access the support that they are entitled to.

2) For all students (but especially independent students) I recognise firsthand that mental health is a massive issue. I would work to signpost people to the correct support, as well as work with the university to highlight the issues that independent students face in their day to day.

3) Lack of recognition- independent students face many issues that go unrecognised by the general population. I would work tirelessly to ensure that the university and student population recognise, appreciate and support the struggles that we face.

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I am passionate in my work and aim to work diligently to ensure that your interests are represented.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

Cost of living
Transitioning to a post university life
Loneliness

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I am confident in public speaking, education and advocating for the Trans+ community, due to being a 'Just Like Us' Ambassador, which I will apply to the role with enthusiasm. I'll use my current responsibility to extend the range of support and knowledge available to students. I will also be proactive in answering questions and strive to provide the best possible solutions.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

All students are facing struggles with finances, more so with Trans+ students needing to access gender-affirming products which can be an additional burden. I would want to continue the Beyond the Binary scheme and secure further funding for it/participate in fundraisers so funding remains consistently available for those who need it.
Students are also unsure of which clubs and societies are truly safe spaces and often rely on outdated stories. I will aim to support clubs in producing a transparency document with their Governing Body’s current athlete policies alongside what they do to support individuals (eg whether changing rooms are individual or if mixed category competitions are available)
Across the university it is a struggle to find the correct point to initiate corrections with members of staff in the situation where we are misgendered. Often making this correction in public or during the moment is not appropriate and stress acts as a barrier to correct privately, after a lecture or via email. I would intend to implement a system to politely share that information with information on why gender affirmations in the workplace matter.

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I am dedicated to improving the student experience within the humanities departments. As a final year student of my Undergrad course in Modern Languages (German and Spanish) and aspiring MPhil research student within the same department I have had a lot of experience with humanities at Aberystwyth University and during this time developed a deep respect for the staff and students who are all passionate about their field as well as a love for the subject I personally study and the discipline of humanities overall. With various humanities and arts degrees disappearing in the Uk I want to help protect the field I am passionate about and ensure its future as much as I can. I believe I can do this by helping to foster a productive and welcoming environment for current and prospective students.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

A lot of students struggle with mental health for various reasons, humanities subjects often have a very heavy work load and it can be easy to fall behind if you are struggling and to suddenly feel lost and alone. I want to ensure students have and are aware of support systems to help them manage things such as stress, anxiety and depression and get back to a place they want to be in with their education. There have been many changes within various departments recently to keep in line with university budgets and new regulations. These changes can cause concern and pressure. I think that increased communication between students and staff would ease this for both sides. It can seem as though there are less career prospects for humanities students as opposed to STEM students but this is not the case. I want to promote career support within the department.

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I’m a first-year Politics student currently achieving first-class marks across my modules. I have a deep interest in how policy and data intersect, and I want to use that perspective to make sure our faculty is actually delivering for us. Outside of my studies, I’m a self-taught programmer and have spent the last year building a data-driven platform that tracks and predicts UK parliamentary outcomes. This has taught me how to take complex information and turn it into something useful, a skill I’ll bring to student representation. I’m a straightforward communicator, I’m comfortable challenging the status quo, and I’m ready to be a reliable voice for everyone in the Humanities.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

1. The Cost-of-Living vs. Academic Success: Students are increasingly forced to choose between term-time work and their studies. With maintenance loans failing to track inflation, the financial pressure is no longer just a "budgeting issue"—it’s a direct barrier to achieving a first-class degree.

2. Fragmented Wellbeing Support: While services exist, navigating them during a crisis is often overcomplicated. We need a shift from passive "signposting" to active, centralized support that prioritizes students facing academic burnout or personal bereavement without making them jump through bureaucratic hoops.

3. The Housing & Belonging Gap: Finding quality, affordable accommodation in Aberystwyth remains a source of major stress. This isn't just about rent; it’s about stability. When students are worried about their living situation, they lose the mental bandwidth to engage in university life, leading to isolation and a weakened campus community.

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I will utilize my 3 years’ experience as an academic representative to continue working with faculty and students to resolve issues, improve courses and ensure everyone is able to make the most of their university experience. I have seen firsthand the importance of working with faculty and academic reps to address student concerns and suggestions, and will approach the role with compassion as I understand the issues students are facing and how this may be impacting their studies. I will use this experience to advocate for you, so that everyone feels represented and heard.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

Cost of living, lack of post grad and job opportunities, housing and accommodation.

I would work to alleviate unnecessary stress as I know students already have a lot to worry about with the aforementioned issues. Ensuring assignment deadlines and coursework briefs are clear and released in a timely manner, acting as a representative for those who are anxious to express concerns themselves, and fighting for students who feel alienated by flawed internal processes are just a few of the ways I would hope to achieve this. I also wish to advocate for those who are affected by the above issues, and make it easier for support to be accessed, especially when these interfere with academic studies. Overall, I would always aim to make things simpler and less stressful for both staff and students wherever I can!

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I am currently a passionate and enthusiastic Academic Representative for the sciences and am highly committed to the student experience. I have excellent people skills, and aim to engage with students as a friendly, approachable, and dedicated Officer. I will strive to facilitate a collaborative relationship between the students and staff of Aberystwyth University, and to represent the student interest at every level. I pride myself on my willingness to engage with and attempt to implement all feedback from students, and my aptitude for direct and considerate communication. If elected Faculty of Sciences Officer, I will do everything in my power to advocate for the Representatives, the student body, and to centre the interests of all those working within science departments.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

Based on feedback I have received from current students, I believe the top issues affecting students to be:

1. Lack of clear communication between the University and the students.

2. Ineffective signposting towards available resources for specific needs.

3. Insufficient resources for Welsh medium students who would like to have papers, tutor groups, notes, etc., in their preferred language across departments. If these don’t sound like the issues affecting you, I would love to know more about what is!

What Personal Qualities Will You Bring to The Role?

I am reliable, responsible and a good communicator.

What are the Top 3 Issues Affecting Students?

financial strains, balancing work (course work or employment) with time for personal wellbeing and academic pressure