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Wonkhe SUs · The 2026 webinar box set

Essentials #4: How does student representation work?

The major theories and models of student representation, advocacy and influence – and how officers and SUs can use them to improve things for students.

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A tour of the main theories and models of student representation, advocacy and influence. We look at how student voice can be framed, the core functions of a students' union, the difference between 'hunting' and 'fishing', and what makes a student representative genuinely powerful – so officers and SUs can understand what's going on and influence it in the student interest.

What we cover

  • Student voice can be framed differently – from "we represent students" to "we give students voice" to "we make the student experience better", with the latter being more impactful as it focuses on outcomes rather than process
  • Most SUs have three core functions: activities (clubs/societies/events), advocacy (both individual and collective), and services (commercial and support services)
  • SUs need a clear agenda and purpose – avoiding the trap of going "from committee to committee" without knowing why, as highlighted by the 1974 quote about unions needing to identify what's wrong and work to make it right
  • Two key approaches to student work: "hunting" (proactively advancing your planned agenda) and "fishing" (reactively responding to unexpected issues that arise), with both being essential skills
  • Core principle: "When student unions know what's going on and understand what's going on, they can influence what's going on in the student interest" – knowledge and understanding are prerequisites for effective influence
  • Effective representation requires balancing administrative efficiency (getting things done quickly and consistently) with representative effectiveness (ensuring you're actually reflecting student voices and needs)
  • Powerful student representatives need three elements: skills/competencies/capacity, external solidarity (networks and relationships), and agenda (knowledge, understanding, data, and evidence)
  • Student reps should avoid two stereotypes: the aggressive protester who just shouts, and the passive head boy/girl who just has tea with management – the most effective approach is being assertive, respected operators who understand policy and power
  • Goals should include a mix of three types: money goals (immediate tangible wins), salary goals (ongoing commitments that become regular practice), and approach goals (broader policy frameworks that create lasting change)
  • Universities increasingly rely on data over student voice, but both are crucial – sometimes people draw wrong conclusions from data, making authentic student voice essential for proper interpretation and context

Things to read

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