Philosophy Society: President

My name is Phoenix and I would be an excellent president for the philosophy society. Not only do I have first hand-experience with philosophy, studying it as part of my degree and for two years prior, I am putting this into practice as the current Editor In Chief of the Bentham Digest, the official UCL Philosophy Magazine.

I am standing for this position as I see it as essential to look for ways to improve upon that which I enjoy. Having enjoyed all that philosophy society has offered this year, I want to ensure consistency and further innovation for the next academic year. Being keen to get involved already, the Editor in Chief role allows me to hone my philosophical knowledge, while also playing an active role in the society committee. 

My enjoyment of giving others the opportunity to explore philosophy is not new, as being the founder of the KEGS sixth form philosophy society involved pitching ideas for trips, guest speakers, and leading a debate team to first place in the MACE competition. I am excited to bring this level of contribution to UCL.

With being president of a society also comes a responsibility to ensure that all members have an equal voice. In standing for this position, I express my commitment to ensure an environment of cooperation, where anyone can feel comfortable to contribute. Being the First Year Representative for PPE Social Data Science, I know how to ensure that voices are heard, translating them into action.

Thank you for your consideration.

As current Treasurer of the Philosophy Society, I've gained valuable insight into both the inner workings of the committee and the students' union as a whole. My primary responsibility is managing the society’s finances and budgeting for various events; I'm particularly excited about planning our summer ball, and hope to create a super memorable night!

Beyond finances, I’ve been actively involved in running our social media, gathering submissions for our student magazine, and collaborating with other societies to host engaging panel discussions. I think a healthy debate culture is a core tenet of philosophy and should be actively fostered in an academic setting. As President, I’d work to strengthen this by continuing partnerships with other societies and creating more opportunities for philosophical conversation—along with some classic pub nights, of course! I’d also love to bring in more external speakers to enrich our discussions and broaden perspectives.

Ultimately, I want the Philosophy Society to be a space where everyone, whether deeply engaged in the subject or simply curious, feels encouraged to think critically, explore new ideas, and enjoy the social side of philosophy. As a leader, I want to create a collaborative, fun team environment and I’d be honoured to contribute to the society's legacy, making it more dynamic and thought-provoking for all.

Hi! My name is Imogen and I am a second year Philosophy student. During my time at UCL, PhilSoc has been largely inactive and restricted to a narrow confinement of philosophical interests. Hence, I am committed to reviving UCL's Philosophy Society by creating an accessible and engaging space for all students interested in philosophy, regardless of background or experience.

As President, I will:

- Host a diverse range of events, including more socials, student-led discussions, and guest speaker talks.
- Collaborate with other UCL societies and philosophy societies at universities across London.
- Expand beyond the syllabus and incorporate continental and non-Western philosophy into our events (while also maintaining a healthy balance of analytic philosophy for those interested).
- Host more events targeted at underrepresented voices, such as those of BAME, disabled, female and LGBTQ+ persons.
- Introduce a new role for students interested in leading logic help sessions for first-years.

We are fortunate to be studying in a city with such a wealth of philosophical events and history. I hope our society can become a more friendly, exciting and inclusive space, strengthening the philosophical community at UCL. My goal is to reignite enthusiasm for the society and ensure it becomes a vibrant intellectual and social hub for all.

My journey with the UCL Philosophy Society began as a first-year student attracted by the theme of Issue 8 of Bentham Digest. I gradually attended more events, which led to my role as Vice President. Now, I'm standing for President to further elevate our society's standard while making philosophy more engaging across disciplines.

Through philosophy publications in the UK and Americas, I've connected with fellow philosophers and organisers, and learned about academic publishing. My interests in Epistemology, Political Philosophy, and modern Continental Philosophy (i.e. Nietzsche and Camus) inform my approach and vision.

If elected, I plan to:

1. Transform our publication into an academically rigorous, international philosophy journal with peer review, while maintaining a magazine section for poems, short novels, and creative philosophical expression.
2. Expand our interdisciplinary initiatives beyond collaborations with Psychology, PPE Society, and guest speakers. I envision a platform where philosophy intersects with any field—whether economics, AI, or countless others—showcasing philosophy's unlimited possibilities.
3. Create more social opportunities for Philosophy undergraduates and students from other departments. Many members have expressed frustration about not knowing each other well, creating barriers to philosophical communications.

I sincerely thank Anders, Ella, Katherine, Louis, Phoenix, and Reo for their amazing work. It's been a pleasure working with such dedicated colleagues!