Every Spring, students from all over UCL vote to elect seven students to lead the Union. They make sure your voice is heard at the highest university level, in meetings with the Provost and other senior leaders at UCL. Essentially, they’re here to make your life at UCL better. 

Previous Sabbatical Officers have been drivers of big change. They’ve increased mental health funding, made sure fees remain fixed for international students and have helped tackle the bloody reality of period poverty on campus with free sanitary products in all Union facilities.

Here’s the faces you need to look out for this year: 

Welfare and International Officer: Aatikah Malik

The Welfare and International Officer works to ensure you have a safe and welcoming environment at UCL, and represents the needs of international students at all levels.

[email protected]

“I want to have made an impact by truly representing UCL students and working in YOUR interests.”


Read Aatikah’s manifesto here.

Education Officer: Ashley Slanina-Davies

As Education Officer, Ashley represents your academic needs to UCL. Got issues with exam timetabling, tuition fees, or anything else related to your education? Ashley is your go-to. 

[email protected] 

“I have a belief that education can be transformative and that every student has the right to that experience.”

Ashley’s planning to do a lot to make your education better. You can read her full manifesto here.

Carol Paige - Democracy, Operations and Change Officer

The DOC Officer brings about positive change through politics. They’re responsible for the Union’s commercial ventures and defend student interests in the local community.

[email protected]

“I wanted to increase the visibility and transparency of Union facilities and processes so that every UCL student understands how we can help and support them.”


What changes will Carol be making this year? Find out by reading her manifesto.

Activities Officer: D’Arcy McGuinness

With 360 clubs and societies, the Activities Officer is there to make sure you can easily pursue your hobbies and interests outside of your lectures. 

[email protected]

“I wanted to be involved with making sure everyone at UCL is given that experience and allowed to explore and develop interests that will ultimately shape the person they are when they graduate.”

Nilisha Vashist - Women’s Officer

As Women’s Officer, Nilisha ensures that the Union works with the university and the local community to protect students from all forms of discrimination.

[email protected] 

“I felt the need to do more to integrate the students at the margins - international students particularly women, non-binaries and LGBTQIA+, women with caring responsibilities and disabled students more into university life.”

How is Nilisha planning to integrate students in the margins of society, especially women? Read her manifesto to find out. 

Jim Onyemenam - Postgraduate Students’ Officer

The Postgraduate Students’ Officer works to tackle issues faced by Postgraduates. Jim will be working to make sure PG’s are truly involved in UCL life and feel a part of the community at UCL. To keep up to date with PG life at the Union, follow our UCL Postgrads Facebook page. 

[email protected]

‘I felt that Postgraduate students could be more involved in the Union activities, societies, sports, and general university student life and wanted to contribute to that happening.’

What are Jim’s plans for Postgraduates? Read his manifesto here. 

Sandra Ogundele - Black and Minority Ethnic Students’ Officer

BME students are often the hardest hit by higher education cuts, austerity, strict immigration controls, socio economic instability. As BME Officer, Sandra will be working to alleviate these issues. 

[email protected]

“Students’ Unions have a rich history of making positive political change – we have the Eugenics Inquiry and Centre for Race and Racism directly because of efforts in student organising. This collective power is amazing and I wanted to support students to continue this work.”

Read Sandra’s manifesto here.

Although these seven faces represent you on the highest levels, we’ve got hundreds of reps representing you in your halls, departments and courses. We have representation for those who self-define as women, LGBT+, BME and disabled. We represent postgraduate, international and medical students. Whoever you are and whatever you’re doing here, chances are there’ll be someone you can talk to to get your views heard - or an opportunity to stand and be elected yourself. 

Keep up to date with the Union, socially:

Last updated 5 years ago Read time 3 mins