This week on the Membership Services Show, Alan and Liv explore how students’ unions are reimagining engagement and support for diverse student communities.
Alan speaks with Simon from UWTSD Students’ Union about their innovative approach to student voice engagement across multiple campuses and nations. Drawing on his background as a teacher and conductor, Simon shares how they transformed course rep communities through socials, drop-in sessions, and a focus on “giving back” rather than constantly asking for more.
Liv catches up with Chih-Hsiang from Lancaster SU about their new PhD Forum – a student-led space tackling the isolation many postgraduate researchers face. With tea, biscuits, and structured discussions, they’re building peer support networks for students scattered across the globe, from campus-based researchers to distance learners in America and Germany.
Finally, Alan chats with Jim from Wonkhe about his upcoming conference sessions exploring how the student experience is under pressure. As universities face financial constraints and potential academic model changes, Jim asks: how can unions intervene to protect what makes university more than just essays and exams?
With Simon Hilberding (UWTSD SU), Chih-Hsiang Lo (Lancaster SU), Jim Dickinson (Wonkhe), and hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director, Counterculture).
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