Academic Rep of the Year Interview
Every year approximately 2,000 Academic Reps across UCL are responsible for hundreds of changes, big and small, that make UCL a better place. We are proud to support each and every Academic Rep who work hard to represent students' academic interests every day.
The Academic Rep of the Year award was created to highlight the Academic Rep who has gone the extra mile to represent students, and has worked with staff to make student's academic experience better. Nominations are judged on the following criteria:
- The rep has worked hard to reflect student views and ensures these are taken into account in decision-making
- The rep has proactively sought to work with staff to improve education at UCL
- The rep's work has resulted in changes which have positively impacted the education of UCL students
This year we received 168 nominations for Academic Rep of the Year and the overall winner of Academic Rep of the year is:
Harriet Israel, IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society
Starting her journey as a student course representative in 2020, Harriet assumed the role of Lead Departmental Representative for Psychology and Human Development in 2021 and was elected PGT Faculty Representative in 2022. Throughout her three years as a student rep, Harriet has helped spread awareness about correct pronoun use; investigated mental health support for IOE students; organised a conference about diverse student experiences; consulted on a new grading initiative; advocated for the needs of part-time students; and launched a new student/staff writing group.
The interview below provides insight into Harriet's time being an Academic Rep:
Why did you put yourself forward to be an Academic Rep?
It was, partly pushing myself out of my comfort zone by meeting people, talking and sitting in meetings, all these things that I've never done before, and partly because I thought it was an important thing to do and get involved in.
Was there anything about the role that surprised you?
I guess I was quite surprised about how embedded Academic Reps are in the procedures. For example, as a Faculty Rep to be able to sit on Education Committee was very cool.
Additionally, the fact that the members of staff were always looking for Academic Reps to join initiatives, really surprised me. I thought it would just mostly be about like, you know, programme meetings, things like that, and then maybe a token rep in a meeting here and there. However, I found that members of staff have a real appreciation for having Academic Reps in the room when the decisions are being made which also surprised me.
How did you manage the role alongside your studies?
As a course rep it wasn't difficult in fact it was just another thing to add to the calendar. It was helpful that I was studying full time because I was more connected to the student body. On the other hand, the Lead Department and Faculty Rep roles were very time consuming probably because I was studying part-time. I think it would be very different if you were full time and or if you were working like full time as well.
What helped was having a whole separate calendar for the role and approaching it like a job or volunteering role.
How did you find working with staff in your department/faculty?
Can I give a shout out to Psychology and Human Development for being just top notch! Great, great folks love them. I did feel like that staff wanted me in the room and I did feel like they valued what I was saying. I felt encouraged and built up, and I wouldn't have been able to do either the Lead Department or the Faculty Rep role without their support. I found working with staff just fantastic and it's one of the main reasons I would want to continue and I have continued my role.
What was the most challenging thing about being an Academic Rep?
I think co-chairing SSCC meetings as a Lead Department Rep was the hardest thing I've had to do. It's hard to learn how to chair and to give everyone a fair moment to speak. I also think that during the position when you are hearing the perspectives of different sides it can be hard to remain neutral.
What was the best thing about being an Academic Rep?
The best thing about being an Academic Rep is the connections you make with your cohort. The fact that people trust you enough to come to you with their issues and that you're a safe space to bring those issues up, I really valued that.
I would also say that one thing I've really enjoyed far more than I thought I would is the procedural aspect of things. Like the "boring" tasks such as understanding and implementing the Academic Manual.
What was the biggest thing you learnt during your time as an Academic Rep?
I think the biggest thing I have learnt about myself is how much I want to help people find solutions. I also think being able to take numerous perspectives at once was something I didn't know I could do before.
I didn't even know that I would be able to organise my time and and take part in so many different initiatives. I found out a lot about myself and what I wanted and what I could do. I don't think I knew I could do this before I did it.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about being an Academic Rep?
I think my advice is that you have to remember that all staff members are also human and have good days and bad days and stressful jobs. So if you have something difficult to raise, you need to have a really good think about what you're going to say before you raise it. I'm a real fan of a praise sandwich, I think it is very good.
For example, there's a lot of blame culture, I think especially now, with all the strike action this year. So it is important that when phrasing matters that you are not trying to get a reaction out of someone instead focus on presenting the problem objectively and facilitating the co-creation of a solution.
Do you want to represent student’s academic interests? Learn more about Course Reps, Research Reps and Lead Department Reps.
If you want to be a Course or Research Student Rep, your department will be arranging elections during the first few weeks of term. Contact one of the staff on your programme to find out more. Lead Department Reps for each department will be selected from amongst the group you’ve elected. If you would like more information email reps@ucl.ac.uk
Faculty Reps are selected through elections hosted by the Union. If you would like to stand for this role, nominate yourself here!