Xiaohongshu
During term two, the Union held an election to find the next team of Sabbatical Officers, club and society leaders, network leaders, and student trustees. More than 17,000 students voted during the Vote Week in March, around a third of the student population, making this the largest student election in the UK. We also achieved the highest turnout at any UK university (with more than 5,000 students) this year.
Student leaders are essential to the way the Union works, with every level of the organisation, from the trustee board to individual societies, led by students. Student leaders, especially sabbatical officers, are also central to how UCL functions, with Sabbatical Officers sitting on UCL Council, Academic Board, and dozens of committees, working groups, and project boards across the institution.
So, who are the new student leaders taking Students’ Union UCL into the next academic year? The six full-time Sabbatical Officers are:
President - Christian Chambers
Christian is a Politics and International Relations student and has been actively involved in Student Life at UCL this year – leading two societies, being a Hall Community Officer, and being elected Societies Officer in October. Christian wants to improve student safety, tackle cost of living, and improve campus community. Christian will be an Ex Officio member of UCL Council and chair the students’ union board of trustees.
Activities & Engagement Officer - Audrey Lau
Audrey will be graduating from BA English this summer and has played an active role in campus life this year, working in a students’ union bar and leading Drama Soc. Audrey wants to improve the use of campus spaces, connect societies and charities, and increase inter-collegiate engagement.
Education Officer - Sarah Jilani
Sarah is our current Education Officer and has been re-elected to spend a second (and final year) representing students’ academic interests. Sarah wants to improve study space, support students facing cost of living pressure, and track the implementation of education policy across UCL. Sarah will remain an Ex Officio member of UCL Council.
Equity & Inclusion Officer - Rawleka Wilson
Rawleka is graduating with an MSci in Psychology this year and has been actively engaged in the students’ union throughout her time at UCL, leading the People of Colour Network and being a Student Trustee. Rawleka wants to better support Access UCL students, expand the hardship fund, and simplify reporting incidents.
Postgraduate Officer - Anam Choudhary
Anam (our current President) was elected to the role of Postgraduate Officer for next year. Anam studied for an MSc in Management at Canary Wharf before being elected President last year. Anam plans to prioritise careers, cost-of-living support and stronger representation for postgraduate students next year.
Welfare & Community Officer - Vivian Li
Vivian is studying for an MA in Early Years Education at the IOE, is a member of the Hiking Club and the Photography Club. Vivian plans to bring thrift shops to campus, provide workshops for first aid, and improve standards across accommodation.
Many more students were elected to represent communities like the LGBTQ+ Network during the Leadership Race, the full election results can be found here. Want to see where the votes came from, which faculty had the highest turnout, or which departments have the most voters? Have a look at the voter dashboard.
Thank you to everyone who helped spread the word about this year's Leadership Race - you've helped us make this our most successful year yet!