Nominations: Nominations closed
Voting: Voting closed
Election
Category
Candidates
Marissa Parekh (they/she)
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
I hope to make steps towards a more inclusive space where everyone feels they can speak up, be heard and feel safe - amplifying the good and being a voice and advocate where change is required. I will host regular meetings for people with shared experiences to discuss what they need to see change and improve. I will also hold events for all to meet, listen and share; to bring students together to learn how we can all improve to help others outside their individual communities. This allows me to liaise with and be a spokesperson as best I can, especially for those with experiences I don't have.
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
I have been at uni for 5 years, with experience running and forming societies at a previous university, and a course rep during my time at UCL. I strongly believe in student voice and speaking up for those that aren't being heard. I can bring personal gain, as a neurodivergent queer poc, to the fight and have experience in large meetings - especially where those in charge are ignorant to others situations. I believe that education is the root of change, and it is important to learn and spread awareness to make everyone's life a little easier and safer.
Please summarise why students should vote for you.
I care about change. I care about your stories and experiences and want to help you feel like an equal part of this university. If you vote for me, I will do everything I can to be a voice for you and accurately represent what you need to see happen. I will stand by you in the fight, no matter how big or small it may seem. Little steps lead to big distances and in a year, I believe that we can make a lot of steps that can improve student life for everyone.
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Manon Simmons (she/her)
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
To make serious and necessary changes for all marginalised communities at UCL I wish to:
- Promote equity, inclusion and accessibility within all spheres at UCL
- Listen to the student voice to lobby UCL on matters such as re-joining Stonewall
- Work on initiatives for clubs and societies to better represent UCL’s diverse student body
- Support all Student Officer’s in their commitments to build strong networks where marginalised communities feel empowered
I’ll place inclusivity at the heart of everything I do to celebrate the voices of all students at UCL.
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
Undertaking this role would give me the opportunity to expand the work I’ve done as Women’s Officer this year on a wider scale. Having worked as Women’s Officer, I’ve learnt how the SU runs, and built valuable relationships with the staff that will ensure I carry out this role as effectively as possible. I’ve spent the last year collaborating with Student Officer’s to run successful events and lobby UCL for change. With previous experience as chairwoman of Pembrokeshire Youth Assembly, I am confident in my leadership, communication and organisation skills that are crucial for this role.
Please summarise why students should vote for you.
Whilst I may not descriptively represent all marginalised communities, I will work to champion and give a platform to all those who feel their voices aren’t heard. My main objective is to progress towards more inclusive environments for all, recognising that intersectionality plays a role in the discrimination that marginalised groups face. Ultimately, I will listen to students on how they want to be represented and where improvements need to be made.
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Ahmad Ismail
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
- Utilise high-traffic areas of campus in creating “inclusivity corners” where activities can regularly take place and are open to any and all UCL students passing by
- Work on streamlining financial support available for students in accessing societies and events and the expansion of free-of charge union events
- Develop inclusion networks across UCL departments where students are both involved and advance in their involvement in making departments more equitable
- Pressure UCL on rejoining on stonewall and the increase of funds towards supporting the LGBTQI+ Community & Trans Inclusivity
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
Making educational initiatives more inclusive and removing barriers disadvantaged groups face in both access and more importantly, support is a passion that I have always had and hope to one day turn into a career☺️In Jordan, I worked alongside a regional educational foundation (AHSF) in helping make accessibility, across socioeconomic classes in particular, a key determinant in their decisions. Working on community building through inclusive educational initiatives has shown me the impact of a truly inclusive educational environment and what it takes to get there.
Please summarise why students should vote for you.
Feeling included amidst everything happening was daunting to me, especially being new to London; it is very easy to feel lost and out of place in a university at the scale of UCL. Moreover, as the “covid generation,” we have not yet recovered from the social and mental impact of covid, which I would hope to address. As a Queer Palestinian raised in a Muslim family, I find myself at crossroads with parts of my identity clashing. At UCL, arts spaces have helped me appreciate my identities wholly. I believe in community building through inclusive arts initiatives that uplift marginalised voices.
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