Election post

Status
Elected
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?

I’ve worked with disabled students for 20+ years. My PhD research looks at deaf students’ access to HE: the barriers they face at university, government policy and Disabled Students’ Allowances funding. I’m also an IoE Doctoral Community mentor. In my career I work alongside stakeholder groups and am familiar with the HE sector. I live with bipolar, depression, anxiety and OCD. Uni is often tough and navigating that with disability brings additional struggles. I’ve had good and bad experiences and I want to make sure disabled students have the best possible university experience.

What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?

The DSN must actively engage with disabled students and UCL so we can better meet the needs of disabled students. Ableism is an issue that needs to be addressed across UCL. The 2020 DSN report highlighted many failings and we need a fresh momentum to tackle discrimination. I will also provide regular social events for students alongside information sessions. I want the DSN to be the first point of contact for disabled students arriving at UCL and I want to raise our profile and achieve a stronger disabled student network.

Please summarise why students should vote for you.

I want you to vote for me because I have so much to bring to this role. I’m passionate about equality, diversity, and inclusion. We need a DSN that represents and supports all students. I will bring a wealth of experience and motivation to this role and a vote for me would be a confident vote for all disabled students. Camella and I are doing this as a job share. Camella has a background in museum learning with disabled children and adults. We will make a great team, so please vote for us!