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The Activities & Engagement Officer is a full time Sabbatical Officer of the Students’ Union working full time to provide leadership to the Students’ Union’s services, shaping the co-curricular and social experiences and opportunities that Members want from the Union. They will lead the Union on engaging with the cultural diversity of our Membership and building global partnerships to benefit our Members.

Read the full role description.

Candidates

Valentino Thomas (He/Him)
You have ideas? Start sending them over - why wait?
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?

UCL:

  • Sports facilities - introduce more sports facilities at UCL
  • Storage solutions - negotiate and secure more storage for student activities
  • Evening/night spaces - explore options for safe late-night campus spaces as more students turn away from drinking but still want to socialise

SU:

  • More funding - secure even more fund allocation for clubs & societies
  • Closer committee support - meet directly with committee leaders to hear their real issues and solve them early
  • Discovery - visit and highlight every corner of student life at UCL
  • Varsity - keep varsity thriving and the celebrations going strong
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?

I'm proud to be the president of UCL’s largest club: UCL Hiking Club! Leading a committee of 25+, we’ve run 120+ events this year, welcoming 1000+ paid members, another 1500+ taster members (1 in 20 UCL students), and 50+ volunteer leaders.

I’ve worked closely with committees, volunteers, and the SU; I’ve seen both the strengths of UCL’s extracurricular community and the challenges student leaders face. I will bring practical experience, strong advocacy, and a commitment to ensuring clubs, societies, arts, sports, and volunteering thrive and that every student has the time of their life at UCL.

Please summarise why students should vote for you.

I am:

  • Highly experienced - I've spent almost a year leading UCL's biggest club, doubling income, and tripling events
  • Highly motivated - I have A LOT of ideas (above is just a sample), and I'll fight to make them happen
  • Highly dedicated - I don't give up and I don't easily give in
  • Highly sociable - I connect and work great with everyone

But I'm also:

  • Not afraid to be bold - to take risks and make sure the best opportunities aren't missed
  • Not afraid to be loud - to speak up and make sure students are heard in the right spaces
  • Not afraid to be real - to pause, step back, rethink, and restart or retry
Ben Francis (He/Him)
More Space. More Connection. More Access.
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
  • Continue acquisition of facilities and spaces for TeamUCL and ArtsUCL - fight for a Students' Union Activities Building
  • Development of pathways for careers from extracurriculars - increase partnerships with Arts, Cultural and Sporting organisations
  • Develop clearer communication channels between Students, Student Leadership, and staff - including a centralised leadership communication platform
  • Greater accessibility to Students’ Union activities, particularly outside of the Welcome weeks
  • Improve Student Media integration with Arts, Sports and Cultural societies
  • Greater UCL East events and integration
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?

As your current Arts Officer, I have been working within the Union for the past year to make changes including:

  • Acquisition of rooms and increased Piano access 
  • Supporting organisation of inter-societal events 
  • Establishing weekly drop ins 
  • Improved Awards
  • Lobbied for AccessUCL integration into ArtsUCL

Alongside leadership, I am a member of TeamUCL and ArtsUCL and have lived in Halls, student housing and commuted. I understand a broad range of student experiences and have socially engaged across the board; I have listened to what students want for years and want to make those changes happen.

Please summarise why students should vote for you.

I am an experienced student leader, whether that be as a Union officer, committee member, producer of a student festival or an ArtsUnlocked practitioner. I understand the Union and have good relationships with staff, and have already been a part of many silent changes you won’t see, but will feel. I have been involved with over 50 productions in ArtsUCL, 2 TeamUCL groups and have close connections from all over the university, both departmentally and societally. I will be a strong, relentless advocate and leader for the student body, giving voice and recognition to all aspects of student life.

Audrey Lau (She/Her)
Make Student Voices Lau-d!
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?

MORE EFFECTIVE USAGE OF CAMPUS SPACES 🏙

  • Short-term and long-term storage system for all societies
  • Working to secure a larger facility for TeamUCL
  • Increase in artsUCL rehearsal spaces

IMPROVE PRE-EXISTING SOCIETY PROCESSES 📣

  • Annual partnership scheme between charities and societies
  • Equity-based grants and cheaper Strength & Conditioning for TeamUCL
  • An established printing contract for all Media societies 

INCREASE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 🕺

  • Inter-Collegiate events fund 
  • Increase transparency in Union decision making
  • More accreditation opportunities through societies with higher commitment hours
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?

I’ve spoken to students from artsUCL, TeamUCL, Media, and General societies. The biggest problems are: lack of engagement and disconnect between students and the Union. My manifesto is catered to tackling these wider issues while also considering accessibility and affordability.

I’ve developed skills in leadership, active communication, and an intricate knowledge of the Union’s operations. I have navigated high-pressure situations as DramaSoc President and as Union Bar staff (managing the well-composed Sports Night attendees). Over my time at UCL, I've been involved in the union inside and out.

Please summarise why students should vote for you.

As A&E officer, I will leave myself open for feedback and full collaboration with the student body. I want to create a space where students can trust the Union to make change for them, and not just be faraway figureheads. I will be adaptable, approachable, and a person who can make you feel assured about being heard. 

We pride ourselves on being the most student-led SU in the country, and the direction of our leadership needs to reflect that. I am committed to upholding diversity, making our societies as accessible as possible, and upholding our democratic values.

Selin Kilinc (she/her)
See It. Say It. Studied. Socialised. Sorted.
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?

UCL is intense from all aspects: Academically elite, socially chaotic, but sometimes isolating. I want to create events that people genuinely look forward to, not just attend out of obligation. Think concept nights, cross-faculty mixers, London explorations, and stress-relief moments before exams. My goal? Make UCL feel smaller in such a big city, warmer despite the London cold, and way more fun without losing its ambition.

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

Growing up in Istanbuli I learned early how to connect different worlds. As a Transition Mentor, Neuroscience Society Social Events Head and unfortunately Type A, I’ve seen students try to navige life in London (dreading the TFL notification at 11 pm) and deadly academics in UCL (countless hours spent in the Student Center) while feeling it myself too. I’m ambitious, creative, proactive, and slightly fearless (I did bungee jumping in Bloomsbury before my neuroscience final, and to my surprise that was my best grade). I don’t just want to plan events. I want to build a sense of belonging.

Please summarise why students should vote for you.

Because I get it. UCL pushes you hard. London can feel overwhelming. We almost feel like a juggler and lose track of time passing by. I’ve experienced both, and I’ve also built spaces where people feel seen by organzing events and houseparties outside of school. I want to apply my hobby this time to UCL. Let's take a step back to realize we're incredibly lucky to be experiencing our young adulthood in such a dynamic city.  I’ll bring bold ideas, real execution, and events that actually make memories. It wouldn't be too bad to have someone who combines ambition with fun, right?

Jesse Ashdown (He/Him)
Less Union Politics. More Student Life
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
  • Ensure that all groups get EQUAL support from the Union - prioritising marginalised groups and smaller societies
  • Overhaul digital infrastructure
    • Its not it :(
  • Have events facilitated by The Union; societies should not be responsible for everything that happens at UCL
  • Focus on removing barriers for groups like Commuters and International students - UCL is for everyone
  • Fix storage
  • Introduce safeguards that prevent groups from preaching hate speech on campus - IYKYK
  • Create a student community that people can feel a connection to - where is it????
  • Fix existing equipment and facility issues
  • Do my job
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?

Experience

  • President of Sci-FiFan Soc - As a committee of 3 we made it work
  • Defeater of union Nepo-Babies in Societies Officer election - I have stood against the Union before
  • Societies' Officer - I have ran multiple events and provided as much support as possible in a broken system - I am dedicated to making change despite limited resources

Skills

  • I can talk to anyone about anything
  • I'm critical without being offensive (mostly)

Qualities

  • I'm dedicated and dont give up 
  • People in the union have said I "change my mind too easily" -  this is evidence that I'm willing to listen; I KNOW im not always right
Please summarise why students should vote for you.

All jokes aside, I've been Societies' Officer for a month now, and my experience made me reconsider running for this - I almost quit. Mostly because the Union is fundamentally out of touch with the wider student body, and does not benefit the majority of students; Societies Officer was an awful job.

The Union needs to remember that the vast majority of students... don't care about the Union, really. Indeed, my goal is to turn the Union into something students can be proud of, and something which benefits all of us - not some silly little political clique where everyone is out of touch.

Robert Marin (He/Him)
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What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?

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

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Please summarise why students should vote for you.

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Angelina Prymaka (She/her)
Your Ideas. Your Future. I'm Your Enabler.
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?

As a student navigating the same competitive job market as my peers, my goal is to turn the Union into a career launchpad. I will create a clear framework for students to run their own events, like a student-led gallery or science fair, giving them tangible leadership experience for their CVs. I will also make funding more accessible by streamlining applications and advocating for resources for student-led initiatives. Finally, I will strengthen our network with other London universities, creating opportunities for UCL students to collaborate and build professional connections beyond campus.

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

I bring a deep understanding of community to this role. As a Bloomsbury Theatre Studio panel judge and active member of UCL's creative scene, I'm embedded in student life and know what makes events succeed. Aspiring to work in project management and marketing, I've run campaigns, gained experience in the advertising industry, and actively volunteer to improve my leadership skills. My experiences taught me that reliable communication and organisation are everything. I'm ready to apply these skills to ensure every student, from every background, feels supported in bringing their ideas to life.

Please summarise why students should vote for you.

In short, I'm running to be an enabler. I'll use this role to provide the platform, funding, and connections so that students can build the futures they deserve. As an Activities and Engagement Representative, I will use my skills to champion a proactive, inclusive campus where every student feels empowered to lead events that showcase their talents while having fun along the way. By voting for me, we can transform UCLs incredible student life into real-world opportunity.

Zaid Alsaleh
Active. Inclusive. Unstoppable.
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?

I want to make extracurricular life accessible to every UCL student breaking down financial, cultural, and social barriers. With UCL being so globally diverse, I'll build real intercultural programmes and stronger international partnerships. I'll cut the admin burden for club and society committees, improve funding transparency, embed sustainability into Activities, and ensure students get proper recognition for the skills they gain outside the classroom. Simply put I want every student to find their community here.

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

I bring real leadership experience  from co-leading a scout regiment of 20, to leading and growing an ISOC society by 26% in a single year. I've organised events for 40+ students, delegated effectively, and built communities from scratch. My internships at Philips and Google sharpened my strategic thinking, public speaking, and stakeholder engagement. I'm great with tech, creative, and proven at turning ideas into real impact exactly what this role demands.

Please summarise why students should vote for you.

Vote for me because I get things done. I've led teams, built communities, run campaigns, and delivered real results. not just promises. I'll cut through the red tape holding clubs back, make student life accessible to everyone, and ensure every UCL student feels they belong here. I'm driven, creative, and I genuinely care. Your extracurricular experience deserves someone who'll fight for it. that's me.

Caitlin Chidiac (She/Her )
Action Powered by Student Voice
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?

I hope to create an even more accessible and inclusive student experience where everyone feels represented, supported and encouraged to engage in UCL life. If elected as Activities Officer, I will work to increase participation by improving access, strenghtening communication and developing varied programmes that reflect the diversity of our student community. Most importantly, I want students to see real , visible improvements in their day-to-day experience through clearer pathways to get involved and more opportunities that genuinely meet their needs. 

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

I bring strong leadership experience, alongside excellent organisational and communication skills. In my role at TeamUCL Gym as a Fitness Instructor and Equity and Inclusion Assisstant, I organise Supported Fitness Sessions and work with students to help create a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment. These experiences reflect my commitment to improving student wellbeing. I am organised, approachable and work effectively within a team. Having experienced student life at UCL, I understand the importance of inclusive opportunities and am confident my skills make me well suited to this role. 

Please summarise why students should vote for you.

Students should vote for me because, as a UCL student, a member of multiple societies and a long-standing member of TeamUCLGym, I bring experience in supporting student wellbeing and inclusion. I understand what may deter students from getting invovled and what helps retain participation. As Activities Officer, I would use this experience to listen to students, improve communication around events and societies and help shape a programme that reflects the divetsity of UCL. I am reliable and approachable, and I would be honoured to represent students' voices with care and confidence.