Nominations: Nominations closed
Voting: Voting closed
Election
You will work closely with societies related to social mobility and supporting students from a low socioeconomic background. Represent the collective interests and needs of these students to decision-making bodies within the Union. Working alongside and supported by the Equity & Inclusion Officer to represent these collective interests to UCL and beyond. The Social Mobility & Class Officer will work with all officers on projects that affect those from these backgrounds.
To vote for this position you must self-define as a student from a low socio-economic background.
Category
Candidates
Having come from an economically deprived town in the North, social mobility has always been a passion of mine. I have worked extensively with Zero Gravity, a platform designed to help those from working-class backgrounds succeed at university and beyond. After being mentored myself, I have volunteered to help mentor students from years 12 & 13 to help them through the UCAS process for UCL. I am also a campus ambassador for Zero Gravity this academic year, and have undertaken many projects in order to increase awareness of the importance of listening to working-class voices.
I hope to provide a voice for those from lower socio-economic backgrounds at UCL. It is very easy to feel invisible and suffer from Imposter Syndrome at an institution such as this, and it would be my aim to bring the community together to offer support and camaraderie. Further help for those undertaking part-time jobs is essential. Prioritising work over uni is not ideal but sometimes essential, and it would be a goal of mine to communicate with UCL how best to support those that require to work alongside their degree.
I come from a lower class background and I was educated at a state school. I have been working since the age of 14 and have continued to do so into uni. The point is, I get it. Uni can be extremely isolating when you're surrounded by those that were privately educated - in your seminars, in your accommodation, in your societies. I aim to let the wider UCL community know that we exist, and that our voices are just as important as everyone else's.
As someone who is Black, Muslim and from a low-income background, I know firsthand what it is like to struggle with navigating higher education. From financial barriers to feeling out of place in elite spaces, I’ve experienced the systemic inequalities that hold talented students back. However, I can appreciate the experiences that being on widening participation programmes gave me; nonetheless, I know that this is not everyone's experience.
Through being an avid public speaker and someone who is passionate about social mobility, I believe I have the necessary skills to best represent YOU!
If elected, I hope to carry out the following things:
- Building community for low-income students: whether that be through events or collaborating with the Access team, I want to ensure we have a community we can rely on here at university
- Push for more financial support: I will campaign for increased funding to provide financial support to low-income students, be that in the form of grants, scholarships or subsidised costs
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Career opportunities: highlight opportunities exclusive to people from low-income backgrounds; this would be done in collaboration with other societies and the Student Union
I am someone who has lived these challenges - I know what it is like to struggle financially at university, what it is like to feel disconnected from affluent peers, and constantly pushing to feel like I belong in such an elite space. However, I also know how powerful our voices can be and I want to use my experiences having been on scrutiny boards, panels and publicly speaking on the impact of social mobility to represent you in the best way possible.
If elected, I will use my position to ensure no student is left behind.
Vote Aya for Social Class and Mobility Officer now
As a Global Undergraduate Scholar, I’ll bring firsthand insight into the challenges faced by low-income students and how to access available support schemes, from scholarships to career programs. Additionally, as a Changemakers Researcher, I’ve worked to improve employability and bridge support gaps for underrepresented students, and I’m passionate about advocating equal opportunities to thrive for all. With my research skills, advocacy experience, and commitment to equity, I’ll collaborate on impactful initiatives to empower students and drive meaningful change.
I’ll ensure students from low socioeconomic backgrounds access support systems—financial aid, mental health resources—and feel empowered. I’ll raise awareness of scholarships, mentorship, and career schemes, guiding students to these opportunities. I aim to create spaces where students can voice concerns and have them addressed quickly. By building a support hub, I’ll connect students facing similar challenges, fostering a community to share experiences, advice, and resources, helping everyone thrive.
Vote for me to:
- Make your concerns heard.
- Build a network of support for low socioeconomic students.
- Learn more about funding aid, scholarships, and internship schemes.
I know how life-changing support can be—and I’m here to ensure every student gets the same opportunities. I’ve already worked to improve student equity in terms of access to opportunities for employment and funding, and I’m ready to do more. Let’s make UCL inclusive and supportive for all. Vote for someone who gets it, fights for it, and won’t stop until we get there!
I’m hoping to make UCL a more inclusive place. I’ve been Secretary of the POC network, worked for a social mobility charity, and been a widening participation student ambassador during my time at uni.
In these roles, I gained a lot of valuable experience. For instance, I liaised with the SU to increase the visibility of the POC Network and was able to get more of you involved in shaping the events. I’ve been to Parliament to talk about anti-racism in education, and I was on the student success panel which influences the direction of AccessUCL services.
I think we need to increase awareness of classism/elitism at UCL. I also want to be able to provide a community for students from lower socio-economic backgrounds - a place to turn to for support and personal development, but also new friends!
I’d push for:
- Improving financial support (who else waited five extra months for their Turing to drop?)
- More pressure on AccessUCL as a means to create a community
- Free social events and activities
- Clear guidance on accessing all available resources
- Support for working class POC
I feel like my working class identity clashed with the culture at UCL when I first came. I’m from London, but shout out to those of you who aren’t, and might be feeling overwhelmed trying to make space for themselves here. I want to hear from all of you!
I want students to feel welcome, instead of being forced to assimilate.
Camden youth council
- Secretary and leader or mental health and support subgroup - working to improve the lives of young people
- Advocated for youth from low income backgrounds, organising mental health initiatives and working with local schools to provide students with more support
- Working alongside council and local politicians to ensure change it enacted
- Provides me with the administrative and organisational skills needed for the role
Social Mobility Foundation
- A mentor at the foundation giving advice to low income students for university applications
- commitment to giving back to the community
- Develop mentorship program to connect current students from low socio-economic backgrounds with alumni with similar experiences
- Advocate for institutional policy changes that recognize and address systemic barriers, particularly around financial support, housing and increased access to employment opportunities
- Work with the Equity and Inclusion Officer to develop practical resources addressing financial barrier's to full participation in university life, such as textbook exchanges, subsidized social events (+ society fees) and networking opportunities
As you Social Mobility and Welfare Officer, I will be a tireless advocate for creating an inclusive environment where every student can thrive - socially and academically - regardless of their background. As a Black Muslim women that's on a partial scholarship and is working part time to fund her education, I understand the hardships that many low income students go through. I bring both personal experience and work experience to prove my advocacy skills to fight for the needs of student's that are not represented enough. Voting for me will lead to a future at UCL that includes you.