Xiaohongshu
Hi, I'm Sarah!
As the Education Officer, I am here to champion students' academic journeys, both at UCL and beyond.
In my role, I enjoy leading the Union's efforts to work alongside the University and other stakeholders, all driven by my sincere wish to ensure our educational standards are fair, accessible, and of the very best quality. I actively represent your academic interests, engaging in shaping policies and practices. I aim to foster a vibrant academic environment that truly reflects and supports the diverse needs of all students.
I represent you as chair of the Education Zone. I also serve on several other committees to ensure your interests are represented.
My Priorities
| Priority | Description | Update |
|---|---|---|
| Fair and Consistent Education | Make sure every student gets the academic support, fair assessment and clear standards they were promised, and knows their rights when they don’t. | I have been in discussion with UCL and SU Education Teams about creating a more equitable academic experience - through reviewing our academic rep system to make it more effective, and begun work with Anam, Postgraduate Officer, on a know your rights campaign so students are better supported to advocate for themselves. |
| Cost of Living | Push for bigger bursaries and scholarships, cut hidden course costs, and open a food pantry so money doesn't hold anyone back. | Alongside the SU essentials cupboard, I am looking at student financial hardship from several angles. I have been advocating for the household income thresholds for student bursaries to be uplifted. I have also started a group of UCL staff who are examining 'the cost of study' and 'hidden course costs'. |
| Support for Students Facing Hardship | Build proper, joined-up support for sanctuary students, those affected by conflict and war, and anyone who needs counselling or wellbeing help. | I have been communicating with different teams in UCL, internally within the SU, and with students to ensure we are doing all that we can to support sanctuary students from Gaza. |
| An Ethical UCL | Hold UCL to its values on investments, banking and partnerships, including its links to arms companies. | Alongside other sabbatical officers, I've been in conversation with UCL about the Defence Universities Alliance, and worked on our article communicating this to students, many of whom have raised concerns about the alliance. |
Officer Reports
I write a fortnightly report on the work I've been doing to represent you, including work I've been doing on my priorities.
My work, through my report, is scrutinised and voted on by other elected student leaders who are members of our Education Zone. You can read more about them here: Policy Zones & Union Executive.
These are my reports for 26/27:
| Zone | FILE | Approval Status |
|---|---|---|
| Education Zone 1 | Approved | |
| Education Zone 2 | The meeting hasn’t taken place yet. | |
| Education Zone 3 | The meeting hasn’t taken place yet. | |
| Education Zone 4 | The meeting hasn’t taken place yet. | |
| Education Zone 5 | The meeting hasn’t taken place yet. |
These are my reports from 25/26:
| Zone | FILE | Approval Status |
|---|---|---|
| Education Zone 1 | Report | Approved |
| Education Zone 2 | Report | Approved |
| Education Zone 3 | Report | Approved |
| Education Zone 4 | Report | Approved |
| Education Zone 5 | Report | Zone Inquorate |
Democratic Voting Record
As democratically elected leaders, we're accountable for the decisions we make for you, our students. As part of that accountability, we publish our voting records.
My Voting Record for 2026/27
- Policy Zone Votes 26/27
Policy Zone Vote Cost of Living EZ No Vote - Union Executive Votes 26/27
Submission Type of Vote Vote In response to Militarisation of Higher Education Ratification For Cost of Living Ratification For
My Voting Record for 2025/26
Below is a record of the voting on policies introduced during the academic year 2025-2026 and how I have voted.
- Policy Zone Votes 25/26
Policy Zone Vote Lobbying UCL for undergraduate bursary household income threshold rebalancing EZ For Lobby UCL to provide better support for students who need to retake a year EZ FOR The Union should lobby UCL to conduct a thorough review into the services available for students trying to access Reasonable Academic Adjustments (formally known as SoRAs)/ECs EZ FOR The Union should lobby UCL to introduce a policy that every high-stakes exam is supported by at least one past paper or mock exam. EZ FOR Representing your Academic Interests, National Student Survey EZ FOR - Union Executive Votes 25/26
Submission Type of Vote Vote Number of Committee positions per person Amendment to Governing Document For Societies Officer removal from role and next steps Approval For The Union should implement a "Ghostbuster" Policy Amendment to Governing Document For Lobbying UCL for undergraduate bursary household income threshold rebalancing Ratification For Ratification of the extension for the term of an External Trustee Approval FOR Introduce a Commuter Students' Officer and Network Amendment to Governing Documents FOR Lobby UCL to provide better support for students who need to retake a year Ratification FOR The Union should lobby UCL to conduct a thorough review into the services available for students trying to access Reasonable Academic Adjustments (formally known as SoRAs)/ECs Ratification FOR Union to lobby UCL to amend its extenuating circumstances policy to ensure that period pain and any other uterine-related issues are labelled Category A (circumstances that will normally be considered) Ratification FOR Refer item 12 back to its origin Zone for further amendments and consideration. Approval AGAINST The Union Should Adopt a Zero Edible Food Waste Policy Across All SU-Operated Food Outlets Ratification FOR The Union should lobby UCL to introduce a policy that every high-stakes exam is supported by at least one past paper or mock exam. Ratification FOR The Union should insource staff where ethically, technically and logistically possible and lobby UCL to do the same Ratification FOR The Union should join the Coalition to End Gambling Ads Ratification FOR Referendum – Should Students’ Union UCL disaffiliate from National Union of Students (NUS UK)? Approval FOR Representing your Academic Interests, National Student Survey Ratification FOR Revisions to Complaints & Disciplinary Procedures Amendment to Governing Document ABSENT Bye-Laws Tidy Up Amendment to Governing Document ABSENT Activities Zone Officers (Sports, Arts and Socs) to be members of Union Executive Amendment to Governing Document ABSENT
Meetings & Committees I attend:
I represent you on several committees and boards within the Union and the university. I use my seat at the table to ensure your interests are represented