History of Art Society: Welfare Officer

Hi I’m Maddy, 2nd year art history undergraduate, nominating myself for the role of Welfare Officer and I have a clear vision of what I can bring to Art History Society:

• More visibility

Improved signposting for services, support and welfare events & clear availability of my time to talk/message with members

• Before UCL

Having schemes potentially connecting prospective students with current students, we all remember what it was like applying and have wisdom to share

• During UCL

Society collaborations with a welfare angle with knitting, yoga & meditation or art - you decide!

• After UCL

Better structured discussions about steps after graduation to know your options, more contact with alumni

How am I qualified?

• Winner of ArtiqxUCLcareers Art Consultancy Challenge 2025: teamwork, analytical reasoning, working to deadlines
• Came to History of Art through an outreach course: passion for accessibility in the arts, determination, perspective
• Waitress/bartender: patience, problem solving, cash handling
• VIP Services Coordinator at Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair: project management, communication, meeting sponsorship goals
• President of the History of Art Society at college: responsibility, organisation, listening

Vote Maddy if you want to see this happen!

Hi, my name is Sofiia (Sonya for short)! I am a Philosophy and History of Art student from Kyiv, Ukraine. This year I enjoyed working on the committee as a Vice President. My team and I have hosted many memorable events that brought our community together. My biggest highlight: composing a list of Christmas wishes on the whiteboard during the Christmas social. In the upcoming academic year, I hope to rejoin the committee in a new capacity.

Currently, I engage with the questions of community wellbeing through my role as a member of the department EDI board. I communicate closely with the teaching staff to bring up key issues of welfare in the context of student life. My active contribution to the HoAS society this past year has helped me immensely in this task: getting to know our members and building trusting relationships put me in touch with many diverse points of views. Building this network and communicating the student point of view in a nuanced way to the administrative staff has been great!

I understand the wellbeing challenges of university life first-hand and, with that sensitivity, I want to work on developing a community platform that promotes like-mindedness, ease and togetherness. Uni started out as a very anxiety-inducing environment; it is now a place of focus and friendship for me. I believe this transition is guaranteed if we dedicate our time and heart to showing up for the people around us—in lecture halls, seminars, common rooms and offices, even.

As an active member of History of Art society, I know how important events are in helping students socialise. But I'm also aware of how all demographics within our cohort must feel welcome, both History of Art students, like myself, and those from other degrees. If I were your Welfare Officer, I would advocate for events that highlight the experiences of our own students; for example, a social dedicated to international students ensuring they feel more welcome, or one during the day for students commuting from home. Additionally, at my previous school, I ran student council and am aware of the need to hear the voices that often get drowned out. As your Welfare Officer, I'd conduct surveys and reach out to students to ensure our society feels as welcome and accepting as possible, taking on the feedback from you directly. History of Art can often seem Eurocentric or elite, and I believe we should challenge this on all levels; as such, hearing the voices of students from all demographics is imperative. I promise to hear your perspectives, to be as accommodating as possible to students' needs while collaborating with the wider team. As a journalist for the EDI team, I know now more than ever that equality, diversity, and inclusion are the cornerstones of our discipline's future. I am standing to be your Welfare Officer because I believe the role is vital in encouraging a community environment, fostering these values, and I'm full of ideas on how to accomplish this. Thank you.