Hi all,

As a candidate for the position of VP of Education, I am committed to ensuring we all make the most of our education and the opportunities available at Royal Holloway. If I was an elected as your Vice President there would be two key initiatives I would pursue allowing virtual attendance to seminars and increasing opportunities to explore different career pathways.

We have seen more train strikes in the past year than any period since the 1980s. This has disproportionately affected commuting students and academics. During COVID-19 we saw how the world has the capacity to adjust to a work from home environment. How engagement doesn’t necessarily mean to be present in a classroom. Research has shown that there is a higher rate of information retention with online learning in comparison to traditional learning environments. This simple measure can solve the problem whether you prioritise showering or to eat breakfast before your 9am.

Additionally, I would advocate for greater exposure to different industries and professions irrespective of our degrees. Through organising events such as panel discussions and workshops that are accessible to all students can be beneficial by providing valuable insights into different roles and responsibilities and career advancements. Workshops will consist of self assessment and what individuals want to pursue, through identifying interests and strengths and setting research goals. I believe this can be achieved through further developing CV workshops.

I am confident I can represent the student voice and am open to hearing your thoughts on education at Royal Holloway!

Hi – I’m Madelaine, and I hope to be your next VP Education! I’m a Law with Politics student, and president of PIRSoc – I’ve also been an academic rep throughout my three years at university, and I currently sit on the Education Executive and PIRP Student Experience Taskforce.

All of this has given me an understanding of some of the issues that students are facing with their education, and I’ve got lots of ideas as to how these could be resolved. I’m summing them up in three areas – the “three Cs”.

1. Careers:
   While many students come into university with an idea of what career they want, many do not. The university and the SU should be able to cater for both camps – by supporting applications, and delivering events which offer a broad spectrum of choice for consideration.
   During the year as your VP Ed, I hope to:
   • Work to embed employability skills into the curriculum.
   • Collaborate more with other University of London colleges, allowing further networking and connection for the future after graduation.
   • Utilise academic reps to communicate support to students.


2. Commuters:
   It’s hard to measure exactly how many students commute, but what we do know is that the proportion is large and grows each year.
   When elected, I will support commuter students by:
   • Developing more spaces on campus where there are:
   • Working plug points!
   • Food preparation areas (microwaves, fridges, etc).
   • Looking into the creation of a “commuter common room” to improve social links between students.
   • Investigating a commuter-centric timetabling system.


3. Communication:
   Our university does offer support, but the truth is that lots of students don’t know about it.
   I will improve this through:
   • Departmental newsletters, with events highlighted on a calendar system.
   • Common sense AI policy – AI is here to stay, and we need to investigate how it can be used positively within education.
   • Exam times being published promptly.

At the end of the day, we come to university for our degrees. Education has a huge impact on our overall university experience. I want to help improve this for all students, and I will do this by listening to you.

f you have any questions, or just want to chat about my campaign, you can find me on Instagram @madelaine4vp, or drop me an email madelaine4vp@gmail.com

My name’s a bit of a tricky one to sloganize, but you can #HaveYourSayWithMadelaineGray

Hello, Nicole Phan here. I am running for VP Education because Education does not have to stop at university.

If elected, I would aim to:

Give students an easier way to access external events for their desired career path.
I advocate for people to go out of their way to make connections in their field, and have posted my own experiences online to influence others to do the same. Not many people know where to start; by working with the Careers Service, we will advertise these based on your school and department via email monthly or weekly.

Ensure students are confident to approach lecturers and teaching staff in an informal way.
As a current First Year Course Representative for Economics and Data Science, some students do not attend office hours even when they need help as they are simply too shy. By creating a system to send a form for help first, like the CeDAS 1-1 sessions, this will help both the teaching staff and student know what will happen when they meet, rather than going in with a vague idea of what they want help with, saving time and getting more direct help.

Ensuring you can unwind in safe spaces outside of your studies.
Working closely with my colleagues VP Wellbeing and Diversity and VP Societies and Sports, we will ensure that 'Give it a Go' sessions are better advertised and you can join societies throughout the year. Not only does this give you a well-deserved break, but you also get to move your body and increase your emotional capacity.

I volunteer at the British Red Cross, and worked on their Diaspora Humanitarian Partnerships Programme, presenting how young people can be more engaged in Humanitarian action. I also have developed skills in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and successfully cold emailing industry links.

Being your VP Education gives me a fluid way to help you with your Education, including the black-and-white university exams and projects, interpersonal skills, and making a smoother path into the industry. I do not believe that it is a 'one size fits all' world, especially as a POC woman in STEM.

Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have on nicole.phan.2023@live.rhul.ac.uk

The voting period is 5-7th March so make sure you vote!

#whereisnicole (she's right behind you and your Education!)

Manifesto for a Progressive and Inclusive University
As a passionate advocate for improving the quality of our education and student welfare, I, Opeyemi, am running for VP of Education to bring positive change to our community. I aim to address the pressing challenges we face from improving academic resources to fostering a more inclusive environment for all students.

Embracing Artificial Intelligence
It is no secret that AI is the future so the university's current hostile policy on AI usage is restrictive and inhibits our potential for growth and innovation. AI should be embraced as an indispensable tool that can significantly enhance our research capabilities, foster creativity, and streamline the learning process. By revising the university's stance on AI, we can unlock new opportunities for students to engage with cutting-edge technology and prepare them for a future where AI plays a central role in their professional fields.

Curriculum Relevance and Societal Impact
Our courses should reflect the realities and challenges of modern issues. Many students feel disconnected from their studies, perceiving a gap between the curriculum and the skills required in their chosen careers. I will constantly push for a curriculum that prioritizes current societal issues, ensuring that our education is relevant, and practical, and equips students with the tools they need to succeed.

Fostering Effective Communication and Respect
The relationship between students and lecturers is fundamental to the learning experience, cultivating an environment of open communication, mutual respect, and support is crucial. This includes monitoring interactions and ensuring that feedback is constructive and respectful. Additionally, I will ensure that students with dual award degrees receive the attention and support they deserve.

Supporting Diversity, Inclusion, and Representation
Our university must be a place where every student, regardless of background, nationality, or field of study, feels valued and supported. This involves a committed effort to support international students, ensuring they have the resources and assistance they need. Moreover, we must revisit and reform policies on extensions and extenuating circumstances to be more accommodating and understanding of individual student needs. My commitment to diversity and inclusion will be reflected in the university's policies, and practices.

Hi! My name is Tannin, and I’m a second-year Politics student. I've immersed myself in a wealth of activities over the past two years, as both a Head Delegate of LIMUN and a member of the PIRSOC committee. I have also had the unique experience of working as a teacher. These positions ensured I learned the needs that RHUL students have, the challenges they face and how best to meet them. As your Education VP, I will utilise my skills to improve the student body and the student academic experience.

1. Accessibility, Inclusivity and Diversity
   As a first-generation and neurodivergent student, I am well-acquainted with the barriers students are currently facing, and the great strides that need to be made to make the curriculum accessible and representative. During my time as VP, I will aspire to:
   • Foster a curriculum review to begin decolonising the content and reading materials for all degree courses, not just the humanities, and ensure they are representative of work from BAME and minority authors.
   • Develop accessible study spaces on campus; sensory-sensitive and non-commercial, for neurodivergent, commuting or all students to study in safely and comfortably.
   • Lobby for more bursaries with no interest rates
2. Employability and Graduation
   Constant improvement in RHUL’s career service is necessary to ensure students’ advancement after graduation is a priority. The following are some new policy introductions and ideas that would further improve the service. If elected, I would introduce:
   • Employer Feedback Mechanism: To gather feedback from employers about the performance of graduates, using this information to continually enhance the careers service and prepare students for real-world challenges.
   • Post-Graduation Support: Resumé reviews, mock interviews, and ongoing career guidance for recent graduates transitioning into the workforce.
   • Alumni Engagement for Mentoring: Establish a mentorship program that connects current students with successful alumni in their chosen fields, offering guidance and insights into career paths.
3. Academic Evolution
   As the UK experiences rapid social and economic transformations, the university must uphold an open-minded approach and remain adaptable. As VP, I will remain aware that:
   • As AI becomes more prevalent, the university needs to evolve its policies and approach to student use of AI. The university should implement workshops to teach students how to use AI ethically and how to avoid potential malpractice.
   • Post-Graduation Support: Resumé reviews, mock interviews, and ongoing career guidance for recent graduates transitioning into the workforce.
   • In the era of the cost of living and debt crisis, the extenuating circumstances process needs to adapt to protect students who are financially affected.