Now more than ever, we see that universities and the entire higher education system is prioritising profits over their students, and any Students’ Union needs a proactive, bold leadership to steer student consciousness into an influential movement. I believe that our SU needs that kind of approach throughout the entire union, but especially in the Postgraduate Officer position.

The SU is making some great progress and has made many gains in the name of the student experience - but postgraduate students are routinely left behind, as they aren’t seen as part of the student body by many. The Postgraduate Officer role is about being dynamic and wholly representative every day and I am standing for this role to do just that - to bring a vibrancy and confidence to a role that represents a diverse, special community of researchers, carers, athletes, artists, and so many more individuals who deserve an Officer who will work day in, day out to advocate for their needs.

Why I’m Right for this Role

I’ve been deeply involved in student life ever since I first came here as an international student to study international politics at the HAPP School. I saw that the university needed major reform in many aspects of academic and social life, and I realised that I could use my voice to actually do something about it. It was demanding, and sometimes exhausting, but that didn’t stop me from creating a whole new student engagement system for HAPP students to actually network and chat with their lecturers.

Student development is more than just lectures and reading lists - it’s about cultivating a culture of curiosity and conversation. I brought this to the HAPP School, and I know that I can bring this to the entire postgraduate student cohort.

I have lived the international student experience: extortionate tuition fees, homesickness, and feeling like I was all alone in a new country. Like many international students I came to Queen’s not only to study, but to experience a whole new social and cultural experience. A Postgraduate Officer should be facilitating these events, pushing for more inclusion and fighting against rising tuition fees. I have seen and felt the fears of being brand-new to Belfast, so I know that a friendly face and supportive community can make all the difference.

As an International Ambassador, I got to work alongside other international students to craft social events and day-trip programmes for our community that would truly make an impact. I want to bring this experience and energy to the Postgraduate Officer role, to transform the international postgraduate experience into one that is fulfilling in every way.

My Policies, and Why You should Vote for Me

A students’ union is the foremost place for student action and solidarity. As a queer socialist feminist, I believe that this student space should be somewhere for the entirety of Queen’s student body to have their voices heard and, mostly importantly, to see change taking place. No matter who you are, I want to represent you, so I’m standing on a platform that has been made by and for all of us, whether you are a part time student, a carer, an international student, or a student with extra needs.

After engaging with a wide variety of students and hearing about their experiences, I am basing my platform around these core issues:

Making student finance available at PhD level, similar to England and Wales
Increased support for postgraduate wellbeing, academic or otherwise - such as financial assistance and counselling
Extending the Covid Disruption Payment to international & part-time students, with Queen’s matching the payments if the Executive does not
Lobbying for additional financial and academic support for carers, particularly in relation to the Queen’s crèche
Supporting the Student Safety Net and Students Deserve Better campaigns
Solidarity with all Queen’s workers taking industrial action, such as lecturers and SU staff
Challenging the Vice-Chancellors £300,000 salary, as well as his over-inflated expenses budget

This is an ambitious platform, but I believe that if we carry forward the momentum from campaigns such as Students Deserve Better, the Pro-Choice movement, and Climate Action demonstrations, then we can make radical, lasting change at Queen’s.

To see all the candidates running for this position, visit the QUB SU Website.

SU21 - Megan Stith for Postgraduate Officer