Jenny Steele

Hi, everyone! My name is Jenny and I’m running to be your next Campaigns and Engagement officer in this year’s Students’ Union elections!

Who am I

For the people who don’t know me, I’m a pretty simple gal. I’m passionate, hard-working, ambitious and I’m never afraid to push myself to achieve more. I will do anything I can to help someone else and I always strive to do better for others. This is why I am right for the role of Campaigns and Engagement; I want students to get involved in campus activities, and I want them to know they can make a change, no matter how big or small!

I haven’t said that just to get your votes, but because it’s at the core of everything I do! As your RAG chair, I have pushed to make fundraising more inclusive. I have created new committee roles such as the International Students Liaison officer, and have also collaborated with Queen’s International Students society and the South Asian Students society.

As a final year Politics student, I have served as both a course representative, a student councillor, and a member of the standing committee in helping the development of clubs and societies. I have been an avid volunteer with the Homework Clubs scheme and set myself a ‘5K a day’ challenge over the summer to raise £700 for a local animal shelter.

Working to make a positive impact in the community is a major motivation of mine and why I am perfect for the role!

My Policies

Better support for clubs and societies

In speaking to a vast array of clubs and societies, the same issues have come up over and over again. Students are feeling under supported, underfunded, and overwhelmed. This is why I want to ensure all training is completed prior to the summer and includes mental health awareness. Likewise, in ensuring more collaboration with the SU departments, clubs and societies will have access to event planning, social media training and much more.

Sustainable campus

As an active climate activist, I want to continue the campaign of climate action at Queen’s University Belfast. Having shouted at Stormont, lobbied Boris Johnston at a national level with Save the Children and more, I am not afraid to call out QUB if they are failing to achieve their sustainability action plan! And for this to happen, all climate action groups need a platform to come together, to work as one, but still remain autonomous.

Campus safety working groups

The last NUS-USI survey on non-consensual sexual experiences ran from December 2018 to February 2019. This is now three years out of date. Creating working groups representative of all communities within the student population and gathering evidence on issues in relation to accommodation, teaching and harassment, among others, can be used to lobby management and the SU to make a change. Marginalised groups have struggled for too long and it is time they are given a platform.

Campaign training

Whilst QUB has a strong history of activism, students can find it hard to get involved. I want to create a community where activism and campaigning is welcoming and natural, no matter the issue. In inviting activists from outside of the University, it gives students the opportunity to hear from the best of the best, make connections and get involved! Everyone has to start somewhere; it’s just about creating a platform where this can happen.

An inclusive community

And finally, I want to create a more inclusive community, particularly among international and disabled students. Given the disruption over the past two years of learning through a pandemic, students have become disengaged and excluded. International students are unsure where to turn for help and some disabled students are left vulnerable when returning to in-person teaching. If elected, I will continue the work of forums, create information pages on the SU website, and ensure university events are as accessible as possible. Because if students across all groups and communities don’t feel like they are welcome, then why would they want to engage?

So, if you want someone who will represent you and the student body, then make sure to vote Jenny for Campaigns and Engagement in this year's QUBSU elections on February 28 and March 1!

To see all the candidates running, visit the QUBSU website

SU22 - Jenny Steele for Campaigns and Engagement officer