We then turn to Anglia Ruskin SU, where Demi Smith challenges the sector’s reliance on election turnout as a measure of success, and Arts SU, where Margarita Marie Ronquillo explores stigma in basic needs support.

With Leanne Lewis (Student Voice Manager, Middlesex Students’ Union), Demi Smith (Democracy Coordinator, Anglia Ruskin Students’ Union), and Margarita Marie Ronquillo (Arts Students’ Union), and hosted by Livia Scott and Alan Roberts.

Membership Services Conference session proposal form

With Ben Sanders (Wrexham Students’ Union), Sarah Waterhouse (Manchester Met Students’ Union), and Mack Marshall (Wonkhe), and hosted by Livia Scott (Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Counterculture).

You can subscribe to the show on Acast, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or via your favourite app with the RSS feed, and if you’re interested in being on, do get in touch.

We also hear from Jill at the University of Westminster on a QAA-funded sector audit of student representation, unpacking what effective student voice looks like across the UK, the importance of resourcing and training, and why authentic relationships sit at the heart of meaningful engagement. And we close our Middlesex SU series with Sarah and Cam reflecting on the Fast Track Scheme – how it identifies and develops talent, its impact on organisational innovation, and the challenges of supporting rapid progression.

With Rosie Hunnam (Organised Fun), Jill LeBihan (University of Westminster), Sarah Redman and Cam Purwanto (Middlesex Students’ Union), and hosted by Livia Scott (Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Counterculture).

We also look at how Middlesex SU has been building liberation networks through student-led community development, and how Sussex SU is working to make sport more inclusive for trans students while navigating the constraints of national competitive frameworks.

With Abi Taylor, President at Durham SU; Lulu Thomas from Middlesex SU’s Fast Track scheme; and Ella Goodchild, Sports, Societies and Events Officer, and Imo Greene, Sports Club Assistant, at Sussex SU. Hosted by Livia Scott (Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (CounterCulture).

They also catch up with Sam at York SU to discuss the rising cost of campus laundry, why it should be seen as part of students’ basic needs, and how evidence, testimony and a strong student campaign can shift the conversation with universities.

Finally, Alan continues the Fast Track Scheme series with Sean from Middlesex Students’ Union, exploring the work to rebuild academic societies, strengthen course-based community, and create more co-curricular opportunities for students.

With Cheyenne Alexander, Associate Director of Student Life and Involvement at the University of Massachusetts Lowell; Sam Dickinson, Community and Wellbeing officer from York SU; and Sean from Middlesex Students’ Union. Hosted by Livia Scott (Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Counter Culture).

Then Kes from MDXSU reflects on building student engagement through events and Sheeba and Jacob from KCLSU explain how students and staff worked together to develop a student-led AI manifesto, setting out principles and priorities for AI use in learning and assessment.

With Nick Smith (SU Democracy and Governance Consultant), Kes Rowlands (Engagement & Impact Coordinator, MDXSU), Sheeba Naaz (Vice President Postgraduate, King’s College London Students’ Union) and Jacob Tucker (Student Voice Facilitator) and hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director of Western Europe, Counterculture).

Livia and Alan talk to Layna Forbes at Coventry SU, who talks about what it really means to build a neuroinclusive campus. Sharanya Sivarajah at MDXSU discusses student engagement with petitions. And Alex Harden-Way at UCB Guild of Students talks about redesigning services to support both FE and HE students.

With Layna Forbes, Activities Officer at Coventry Students’ Union, Sharanya Sivarajah, Senior Campaigns and Influence Coordinator at MDXSU, Alex Harden-Way, Managing Director at UCB Guild of Students, and presented by Livia Scott, Partnerships Coordinator at Wonkhe, and Alan Roberts from CounterCulture.

Lexi Baynes from the University of Manchester SU discusses the launch of their new student basic needs service, Essentials. Tom Levers shares insights from the Fast Track graduate scheme at Middlesex SU, focusing on data and insight. And Tom Wood, Head of Advice and Wellbeing at Coventry University SU talks through their journey to securing AQS accreditation.

With Lexi Baynes (Manchester Students’ Union), Tom Levers (Middlesex Students’ Union), Tom Wood, Head of Advice and Wellbeing (Coventry University Students’ Union) and hosted by Livia Scott (Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (CounterCulture).

Later, Alan reunites with some old friends – Gary Hughes (Durham SU), Trish McGrath (Aberystwyth SU), and Paul Norman (Manchester Metropolitan SU) – to reflect on 10 years of Membership Services Conference. They explore how staff networks have evolved, the importance of accessible professional development, and why bringing together advisors, activities coordinators, and commercial managers under one roof has been transformative for the sector.

With Ed Moloney (University of Salford Students' Union), Gary Hughes (Durham SU), Trish McGrath (Aberystwyth SU), Paul Norman (Manchester Metropolitan SU), and hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director, Counterculture).

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Later, Hannah Sketchley from NUS UK joins Alan to unpack the themes behind this year’s plenary sessions. From building a powerful student movement under a new Labour government, to representing students when the worst happens, she previews a stellar lineup of contributors – and hints at a few tactical disagreements worth watching.

With Liz Wylie-Smy (Head of Student Voice, Lincoln SU), Nat Baldwin (Student Voice Coordinator, Lincoln SU), Hannah Sketchley (Senior Policy Officer, NUS UK), and hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director, Counterculture).

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Ellis Page from Sheffield SU opens up about their controversial decision to restructure liberation committees – including dissolving the LGBT committee – and the intense backlash that followed. From being compared to Margaret Thatcher to navigating angry freshers months later, Ellis shares hard-won lessons about co-creation, communication, and the delicate balance between necessary change and community ownership.

Rosie Hunnam from Organized Fun reflects on a decade of student opportunities development, exploring how the sector has evolved from siloed activities to strategic, cross-cutting approaches. She discusses the elevation of ops work, the challenge of supporting students who are increasingly cash and time-poor, and why the traditional volunteering model in students' unions might need reimagining.

Finally, Beth Rogers from Sheffield SU examines what it means to be an "outsider" coming into the students' union movement after years in higher education. She explores the different risk appetites, decision-making speeds, and the shift from specialist to generalist leadership – plus why the insider/outsider distinction might be less important than willingness to embrace change.

With Ellis Page (Sheffield SU), Rosie Hunnam (Organized Fun), Beth Rogers (Sheffield SU), and hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director, Counterculture).

https://www.organised.fun/

https://wonkhe.com/blogs-sus/reflections-on-my-first-year-leading-a-students-union-as-an-outsider/

https://wonkhe.com/blogs-sus/reflections-on-leading-a-students-union-as-an-insider/

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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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Livia visits Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association to hear how a small team pulled off a Welcome Week for under £900 – complete with a petting zoo – by embracing creativity, partnerships, and popcorn machines. What’s the real purpose of Freshers’ now, and how do you encourage a culture of “good enough” over perfection?

Later, Alan catches up with Essex SU to delve into their strategic work on reshaping the student experience through collaborative influence. In the face of leadership change, demographic shifts, and budgetary pressures, Essex SU led a project to map out students’ lives across campuses – culminating in an unconventional conference that united staff and students in reimagining the university journey.

Hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director, Counterculture).

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They also speak to Nick Smith about the pitfalls of mixed category trustee boards – and why the path to high performance lies in cohesive teamwork, not representational silos. And Jo Walters talks us through media law, outlining the legal risks of social campaigning, the importance of officer training, and what staff need to watch for in the age of always-on student activism.

With West Chester University, Nick Smith (Governance Consultant), and Jo Walters (Communications Consultant), and hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director, Counterculture).

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Meanwhile, Tom from Citizens UK explores how community organising is evolving in SUs, and at Middlesex SU, Sarah talks us through their innovative Senior Leadership Fast Track Scheme aimed at nurturing early-career professionals into the movement.

With Sarah Kerton (Middlesex Students’ Union), Tom Snape (Citizens UK), and Rachel Byrne (Highlands and Islands Students’ Association) and and hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director, Counterculture).

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They also talk to Gary Hughes of Durham SU about building an ethical framework for officer support, and answer a question from Ryan at Keele SU on whether tighter university finances could make students’ union mergers more likely. Plus – why first-time presenters matter, and a heads-up that Membership Services Conference tickets are down to the last few dozen.

With Mack Marshall, Community and Policy Officer, Wonkhe SUs, Gary Hughes, Chief Executive, Durham Students’ Union and hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director, Counterculture).

Wonkhe SUs summer programme 2025

Durham SU

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Meanwhile, Livia speaks with James Coe (Associate Editor, Wonkhe) about why SUs should care about Labour’s evolving research and development agenda, and Alan speaks to Ash from Undeb Aber to introduce Project Luna, a new community-based charity aiming to make local venues safer for trans and non-binary people.

With Ghika Savva, (Student Community Partnership, Bath, James Coe, Associate Editor at Wonkhe, Ash (Aberystwyth SU / Project Luna), and hosted by Livia Scott, Wonkhe’s Partnerships Coordinator, and Alan Roberts, Director at Counterculture.

James Coe on Wonkhe

Undeb Aber / Project L.U.N.A

The Student Community Partnership (SCP)

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With Price Ikechi, President Activities at Sunderland SU, Mike Hill, Director of Membership Services at ARU Students' Union and hosted by Livia Scott, Wonkhe’s Partnerships Coordinator, and Alan Roberts, Director at Counterculture.

Registration for Membership Services Conference 2025 is now open. It’s the two-day conference for clubs & societies, advice, student reps, democracy, governance and campaigning staff. Hosted by Manchester Met Students’ Union, and supported by NUS, Wonkhe, Counterculture and Manchester Met, it features skills training, networking, and peer learning from SUs and sector specialists. We provide content, venue and catering – you choose your Manchester accommodation. Register now.

A student leadership revolution is overdue

Sunderland SU President: Activities May 2025 Update

Should you be student-led for student-led’s sake?

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Plus Susan from Nottingham SU discusses their comprehensive approach to supporting student trustees, and Aisling from Mary I SU reflects on her year as a sabbatical officer, sharing what kinds of support matter most at different stages of the year.

With Podge from Dublin City SU, Susan from Nottingham SU, Aisling from Mary I SU, hosted by Livia Scott, Wonkhe’s Partnerships Coordinator, and Alan Roberts, Director at Counterculture.

Registration for Membership Services Conference 2025 is now open. It’s the two-day conference for clubs & societies, advice, student reps, democracy, governance and campaigning staff. Hosted by Manchester Met Students' Union, and supported by NUS, Wonkhe, Counterculture and Manchester Met, it features skills training, networking, and peer learning from SUs and sector specialists. We provide content, venue and catering - you choose your Manchester accommodation. Register now.

Supporting student trustees to succeed

The Pantry @ DCU Student Life

Mary I SU

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With Claire from Leeds Beckett SU, Sam from Nottingham SU, a whole crew of folk from Poland, Magdalena Herman, Przewodnicząca Samorządu Studentów Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego, and hosted by Livia Scott, Wonkhe’s Partnerships Coordinator, and Alan Roberts, Director at Counterculture.

JuweKRK - the only such Juwenalia in Poland

Community Organising at Leeds Beckett

An exploration of student food insecurity at the University of Nottingham

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Plus, Rosie from Organized Fun continues last week's debate about student-owned spaces, and Alan talks to Tom Lowe from the University of Westminster who shares insights from their QAA-funded research project auditing student representation practices.

With Laura Corcoran from Dublin City University, Rosie Hunnam from Organized Fun, Tom Lowe from University of Westminster, and hosted by Livia Scott, Wonkhe's Partnerships Coordinator, and Alan Roberts, Director at Counterculture.

DCU Student Life

Organised Fun

The Audit of Student Representation and Voice Practices Project

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Plus Darcy from Students' Union UCL shares their innovative approach to helping student leaders recognize and articulate the skills they've developed, and Ashleen from Mary I Students' Union discusses how they've rejuvenated their Charity Week by creating drop-in daytime activities that better suit today's busy students.

With Steph Wiley from University of New South Wales, D'arcy Mcguinness from Students Union UCL, Aisling Knox from Mary I Students' Union, and hosted by Livia Scott, Wonkhe's Partnerships Coordinator, and Alan Roberts, Director of Western Europe at Counterculture.

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Plus Sean from Sheffield SU shares insights into their use of students in faculty voice coordinator roles, and Mack from the team takes us through learnings from Wonkhe's recent commuter student series curated by Susan Kenyon. And Alan shares key takeaways from the recent Portugal trip, exploring how Portuguese SUs operate.

With Ed Moloney from Salford Students' Union, Sean Keen from Sheffield Students' Union, Mack from Team Wonkhe, and hosted by Livia Scott, Wonkhe's Partnerships Coordinator, and Alan Roberts, Director of Western Europe at Counterculture.

Saford’s policy book

Portugal study tour

Academic reps at Sheffield SU

Commuter students on Wonkhe

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With Jeffrey from UCL Students' Union, Adam from UMass Lowell, Charlotte from NUS Charity, and hosted by Livia Scott, Wonkhe's Partnerships Coordinator, and Alan Roberts, Director of Western Europe at Counterculture.

NUS: International officers

UMass Lowell Gaming Zone

UCLU Leadership Race

Membership Services Conference session proposals are now open! The conference team will use submissions to shape the agenda, with sessions potentially accepted as is, modified, or reworked. Engaging discussions are encouraged, and presenters can platform their work via NUS, Counterculture, and Wonkhe through podcasts and articles. Submissions should have clear yet engaging titles, accurately reflect session content, and specify the format, with one presenter per union eligible for a 10 per cent fee discount; the deadline is 1pm, Monday 12th May.

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Callum from Arts SU introduces “Art or Algorithm” – a qualitative research project unpacking how creative students view artificial intelligence. And Danny from NUS Charity marks ten years of the Quality Students’ Union programme, revealing what we’ve learned about the student movement’s strengths.

With Eve from Hallam SU, Callum from Arts SU, and Danny from NUS Charity – hosted by Livia Scott, Wonkhe’s Partnerships Coordinator, and Alan Roberts, Director of Western Europe at Counterculture.

Membership Services Conference session proposals are now open! The conference team will use submissions to shape the agenda, with sessions potentially accepted as is, modified, or reworked. Engaging discussions are encouraged, and presenters can platform their work via NUS, Counterculture, and Wonkhe through podcasts and articles. Submissions should have clear yet engaging titles, accurately reflect session content, and specify the format, with one presenter per union eligible for a 10 per cent fee discount; the deadline is 1pm, Monday 12th May.

You can subscribe to the show on Acast, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or via your favourite app with the RSS feed, and if you’re interested in being on, do get in touch.

Hallam SU https://www.hallamstudentsunion.com/cost-of-living/shop/ 

Arts or algorithim https://www.arts-su.com/news/article/6013/Art-or-Algorithm/ 

DMCC https://wonkhe.com/blogs/honesty-and-accuracy-is-about-to-get-even-more-important/ 

Consumer protection law has changed, and the changes apply to universities now

Quality SUs

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Faith and Stephanie from Herts SU share how they transformed their advice service by incorporating student staff, creating an "advanced triage" system where student advisors provide peer support while professional staff handle complex casework – resulting in faster response times, better feedback collection, and enhanced student engagement.

And Alan discusses his recent visit to ACUI conference in New York, highlighting the challenges facing American higher education amid changing federal policies, the re-emergence of a national student organisation, and the growing focus on basic needs centers addressing food insecurity and educational precarities.

With Ugne Miniotaite from KTH Students Union's doctoral chapter, Faith and Steph from Herts SU and hosted by Livia Scott, Wonkhe's Partnerships Coordinator, and Alan Roberts, Director of Western Europe at Counterculture.

Students in advice at Herts

KTH Doctoral chapter

KTH/Sweden tour notes

Membership Services Conference session proposals are now open! The conference team will use submissions to shape the agenda, with sessions potentially accepted as is, modified, or reworked. Engaging discussions are encouraged, and presenters can platform their work via NUS, Counterculture, and Wonkhe through podcasts and articles. Submissions should have clear yet engaging titles, accurately reflect session content, and specify the format, with one presenter per union eligible for a 10 per cent fee discount; the deadline is 1pm, Monday 12th May.

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Meg from LUU discusses their Essentials Hub, a comprehensive basic needs center offering food, toiletries and community events that goes beyond traditional food bank models to create a welcoming space addressing students' cost of living challenges.

And Amanda from SFS (the Swedish National Union) reveals how they tackled higher education funding cuts by surveying university teachers across Sweden – gathering compelling evidence that budget constraints are reducing teacher-student contact time and affecting educational quality. 

With Rhiannon, Maddie and Mana from Goldsmiths SU, Meg from Leeds University Union, Amanda from SFS (the Swedish National Union), and hosted by Livia Scott, Wonkhe's Partnerships Coordinator, and Alan Roberts, Director of Western Europe at Counterculture.

Membership Services Conference session proposals are now open! The conference team will use submissions to shape the agenda, with sessions potentially accepted as is, modified, or reworked. Engaging discussions are encouraged, and presenters can platform their work via NUS, Counterculture, and Wonkhe through podcasts and articles. Submissions should have clear yet engaging titles, accurately reflect session content, and specify the format, with one presenter per union eligible for a 10 per cent fee discount; the deadline is 1pm, Monday 12th May.

Essentials is LUU’s basic needs hub created for students with financial difficulties.

Goldsmiths SU

SFS: Low, lower, lowest – new report on teacher-led time

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Livia also speaks to Kirsty Morrison from Teesside SU about becoming a CEO, and Alan talks to Jacob Hartmann, the Accountability and Scrutiny Chair at York SU about the strategies they've implemented to improve the outward accountability of their student officers, ensuring they are effectively serving the membership.

With Alex Harden-Way, CEO at UCB Student Guild, Kirsty Morrison, CEO at Teesside SU, Jacob Hartmann, the Accountability and Scrutiny Chair at York SU and hosted by Livia Scott, Wonkhe’s Partnerships Coordinator, and Alan Roberts, Director of Western Europe at Counterculture.

Membership Services Conference session proposals are now open! The conference team will use submissions to shape the agenda, with sessions potentially accepted as is, modified, or reworked. Engaging discussions are encouraged, and presenters can platform their work via NUS, Counterculture, and Wonkhe through podcasts and articles. Submissions should have clear yet engaging titles, accurately reflect session content, and specify the format, with one presenter per union eligible for a 10 per cent fee discount; the deadline is 1pm, Monday 12th May.

Accountability at York SU

Kirsty on LinkedIn

UCB Guild

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Josh from South Bank SU and Dan from Sunderland SU in London share how they’ve built a cooperative model for events, from freshers to Halloween and beyond. By joining forces, they’ve created bigger, bolder, and more financially sustainable student nights - challenging the idea that students no longer go out and proving that unions can still be major players in the late-night economy.

Livia also catches up with Jørgen from KCLSU to discuss their Union Agenda—an ambitious, long-term framework designed to shape the student experience beyond annual officer priorities. Plus, Alan talks to Phil Smith from Rutgers University about their sector-leading Basic Needs Centre in New Jersey, offering everything from food and clothing to textbook assistance and peer support.

With Dan from Sunderland SU in London, Josh from South Bank SU, Jørgen from KCLSU, Phil Smith from Rutgers University and hosted by Livia Scott, Wonkhe’s Partnerships Coordinator, and Alan Roberts, Director of Western Europe at Counterculture.

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Steph from UCLan SU shares the success of their revitalised Speak Weeks, with a creative twist on traditional engagement. Caroline from Bath Spa SU discusses their shift to student community leaders, bridging the gap between representation and community building. Mems from Sheffield SU delves into their ambitious Sheffield Student Assembly project, aiming to connect students with local representatives and amplify student voices in citywide conversations.

With Steph Street-Lomas, Advocacy and Insight Manager at UCLan SU, Caroline Dangerfield, Head of Membership Engagement at Bath Spa SU, Mems Ayinla, Director of Student Influence at Sheffield SU, and presented by Livia Scott, Wonkhe’s Partnerships Coordinator, and Alan Roberts, Director of Western Europe at Counterculture.

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Charlotte from NUS Charity shares insights on election trends, including rising turnout and the growing number of international student candidates. Mack discusses evolving officer structures, the impact of AI on manifestos, and challenges in student engagement. And Adam from Tampere Student Union in Finland compares UK and Finnish election models, highlighting differences in representation and participation.

With Adam Zeidan. Secretary General, Tampere SU, Charlotte Britton-Stevens, acting Head of Union Development at NUS Charity, Mack Marshall, Community and Policy Officer at Wonkhe and presented by Livia Scott, Wonkhe’s Partnerships Coordinator and Alan Roberts, Director of Western Europe at Counterculture.

It’s a popularity contest, but not as we know it - Tampere's SU election system

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Plus Alan catches up with Josef from Campus Hybernská in Prague - a collaboration between Charles University and the city of Prague which serves as a public gateway to higher education and interdisciplinary dialogue. And Livia speaks with Student Minds and Citizens UK about their community organizing campaign to improve student mental health.

With Jimena Alamo and Charlie Slack from Bath SU, Josef Heřmánek from Campus Hybernská, Nicola Frampton from Student Minds, Tom Snape from Citizens UK, and presented by Livia Scott, Wonkhe’s Partnerships Coordinator, and Alan Roberts, Director of Western Europe at Counterculture.

Bath SU’s SUmmit

Kampus Hybernská

Student Minds has joined up with Citizens UK to develop a new approach to our campaigning.

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Plus, Alan talks to ELTE SU in Budapest about its mentor training program for international students, and Livia talks to Royal Holloway SU about improving support for commuter students.

With Réka Judit BOROS, Vice-President for Foreign Affairs at Eötvös Loránd University Student Union, Daniel Wright, Head of Representation and Leadership at Edinburgh Napier Students' Association, Elise Thornton – Research and Insight Coordinator at Royal Holloway Students’ Union and presented by Livia Scott, Wonkhe’s Partnerships Coordinator and Alan Roberts, Director of Western Europe at Counterculture.

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This week Alan talks to St Mary’s SU in Twickenham where against the odds, they’ve just launched a new venue - we talk how and why. 

Plus Livia and Alan field a question on what’s happening this year in SU elections, and Alan talks to a union in the US about their fascinating Spring Day event.

Bentley University Spring Day 2024

St Mary’s SU

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With Aisling Knox, SU President at Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Adam Zeidan, Secretary General of TREY in Tampere, Mack Marshall, Community and Policy Officer at Wonkhe, and presented by Livia Scott, Partnerships Coordinator at Wonkhe and Alan Roberts, Partner at Counterculture.

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John Blake gets interested in students – but what’s his theory of change?

All the slides from all the sessions at Membership Services Conference 2024

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With Alan, Livia and Rhiannon Roberts, CEO at Man Met SU.

There’s more detail about Membership Services Conference - Wednesday 14th to Thursday 15th August 2024 at The Union MMU here.

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Plus we chat to Birmingham Guild and Coole Insight about officer support.

There’s more detail about Membership Services Conference - Wednesday 14th to Thursday 15th August 2024 at The Union MMU - right here.

Organised fun!

Birmingham Guild 

Coole Insight

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There’s more detail about Membership Services Conference - Wednesday 14th to Thursday 15th August 2024 at The Union MMU - right here.

Aston SU Community organising

Arden SU

Man Met SU International Student Group

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Plus Livia talks to UCA SU about turnaround, and Loughborough SU about their move to departmental committees.

There’s more detail about Membership Services Conference - Wednesday 14th to Thursday 15th August 2024 at The Union MMU - right here.

• Academic representation at UoNSU
• Departmental Committees at LSU
• UCA SU

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More about Membership Services Conference

UCL - Consent

Strathclyde - Tenancy rights 

Nottingham - Committee Training

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There’s more detail about Membership Services Conference - Wednesday 14th to Thursday 15th August 2024 at The Union MMU - right here.

NUSU

Participation bursaries

SOAS

Enough is Enough

Nottingham

Part-time officers

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There’s more detail about Membership Services Conference - Wednesday 14th to Thursday 15th August 2024 at The Union MMU - right here.

Newcastle

Working Class Liberation Officer

Leeds Beckett

Your SU is changing

Manchester

Insight and Research

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Registration for the 9th Membership Services Conference is open.

Taking place at The Union MMU on Weds 14th and Thurs 15th August, this is the conference for staff working in clubs and societies, advice, student reps, democracy, governance, campaigning – anything within membership services and the delivery and management of those services. The big news is that at the event, OfS’ Director for Fair Access and Participation John Blake will launch the regulator’s new strategy on student engagement. Register now.

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Plus Alan talks to Hallam SU about how they've changed how they support advocacy, and Livia talks to Aber SU about a new partnership approach on student careers support.

Registration for the 9th Membership Services Conference is open.

Taking place at The Union MMU on Weds 14th and Thurs 15th August, this is the conference for staff working in clubs and societies, advice, student reps, democracy, governance, campaigning – anything within membership services and the delivery and management of those services. The big news is that at the event, OfS’ Director for Fair Access and Participation John Blake will launch the regulator’s new strategy on student engagement. Register now.

Durham SU’s ASK service

Hallam SU

Aberforwards

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Voter registration qualification 

Community Organising Residential for SU Officers & Staff - 2024 (actionnetwork.org)

Community organising can make a difference in local action

Getting the student vote out with Citizens UK

What should SUs do with a summer election? 

Apprentice General Election Hustings - National Society of Apprentices

OU Students Manifesto

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RGSU manifesto

Lincoln Advice centre donations

Strathclyde Pantry

Strathclyde Foodbank society

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Plus Alan chats to Salford Students’ Union about how they managed to get their hands on some lottery funding to support their cost of living work.

Salford lottery funding

UCL Active Bystander

Lincoln Housing Accreditation

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Plus Alan hears from Aber SU about how they have spent the last few years working on their approach to engaging neurodiversity across the union, particularly within their own recruitment - and Livia catches up with UCLAN SU to learn about supporting students who need to follow medical diets while at university. 

Aber SU

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Bath Spa

Student Networks

UCLAN SU

Is it coeliac disease?

CoL report from Coeliac UK

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Plus Alan hears from Rhul SU about their regular research into the postgraduate taught student experience, and asks Manchester SU what they mean by marketing led membership services. 

Royal Holloway

PGT Student Experience Policy Inquiry

It is time for real and positive change in the PGT student experience

Sunderland

Do(ugh)not Cheat!

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Plus Livia talks to Brighton SU about how they’ve managed to double the number of student societies and learns about how York SU has been empowering student researchers to shape the union’s direction. 

Brighton SU

Starting a society

Why activities matter

YUSU student researchers

BAME LGBTQ+ lived experience research report

SU explainer

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Plus Alan catches up with Limerick SU, live in Vienna, to learn about their campaign to create more sensory spaces, and Livia catches up with the Union at Man Met to discuss how their partnership with the university allows them to award academic credit for extracurricular activities. 

Here’s how we’re switching up Membership Services for 2024 (plus how to submit a session proposal)

Manchester Met

Rise project

Beds SU

Events programme

Limerick SU

Sensory Room

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Plus Alan talks to Salford SU about their radical approach to promoting the work of officers, and Livia find out about how Durham SU is reinventing Freshers Week.

Here’s how we’re switching up Membership Services for 2024 (plus how to submit a session proposal)

Durham

High time to refresh our approach to Freshers

Manchester

The secrets to improving your NSS score finally revealed

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Plus Alan catches up with Aber SU to see how it promotes students working in teams to build belonging, and Livia catches up with City, University of London SU to discuss their work on academic integrity.

Here’s how we’re switching up Membership Services for 2024 (plus how to submit a session proposal)

Manchester

Greater Manchester Student Partnership Mayoral Election Manifesto

This is Greater Manchester we do elections differently here

Aber SU

Superteam project

City SU

Academic integrity

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Plus Livia rounds off our look at election season by chatting to Hull University SU about their candidate training initiative, and Alan chats to South Bank SU about an approach to supporting students to make events happen.

Here’s how we’re switching up Membership Services for 2024 (plus how to submit a session proposal)

London South Bank 

SU events

Rutgers

Basic needs homepage

Additional resources, links to original research and survey when they set up the centre

Hull

Elections

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Plus Livia chats to the University of Manchester Students Union on their approach to elections and candidate quality, and Alan finds out how a student union in the USA is driving learning outcomes derived from the student staff experience.

Here’s how we’re switching up Membership Services for 2024 (with link to session proposals)

Bath 

Peer support at Bath 

Setting up a new scheme

Peer support details

The problem-solving peer support programme (ProSperS)

West Chester

RISE: A Comprehensive Student Staff Evaluation Experience

Blog: How to make being a student staff member educational

Manchester

Manchester’s election results

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Plus Alan catches up with Imperial College Union on their student experience fund, and Livia finds out how Lancaster approached their elections this year.

Here’s how we’re switching up Membership Services for 2024

Money week at Exeter Students’ Guild

Students and jobs

Students and food

Elections at Lancaster

Candidate Interviews

ICU student experience fund

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Here’s how we’re switching up Membership Services for 2024

LSE Student panels: https://www.lsesu.com/voice/student-panels/ 

Lincoln/elections 2024: https://lincolnsu.com/news/article/electionresults2024 https://wonkhe.com/blogs-sus/sabb-elections-are-almost-over-for-2024-what-happened/ 

Tampere/tutoring blogs 

https://wonkhe.com/blogs-sus/heres-six-headlines-for-sus-from-this-years-secret-life-of-students/ 

Students need to feel more connected: https://wonkhe.com/blogs/students-need-to-feel-more-connected-to-both-the-campus-and-eachother/

When students are tutors belonging is built: https://wonkhe.com/blogs/when-students-are-tutors-belonging-is-built/ 

Study Tour Finland: https://wonkhe.com/blogs-sus/study-tours-2024-finland/ 

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Plus Alan talks to York University SU about the way they're changing the way they support officers, and Livia talks to Leeds Beckett SU where the team has been changing its approach to democracy and campaigns through organising.

Strength based leadership: https://wonkhe.com/blogs-sus/how-to-make-our-officers-and-campaigns-even-stronger/ 

Community organising at LBSU: https://www.leedsbeckettsu.co.uk/ents/event/1257/

Our student community organisers: https://www.leedsbeckettsu.co.uk/news/article/about/Our-Student-Community-Organising-Journey-by-Chinwoke/ 

What it means to be a community organiser: https://www.leedsbeckettsu.co.uk/news/article/about/What-it-means-to-be-a-Student-Community-Organiser-at-Leeds-Beckett-SU/

Make change at LBSU: https://www.leedsbeckettsu.co.uk/your-voice/make-change/ 

SVLO service at Derby: https://www.derbyunion.co.uk/advice/sexualviolence/svlo/#:~:text=To%20access%20the%20service%2C%20please,schedule%20an%20appointment%20for%20you.

Student guidance leaflet: https://www.derbyunion.co.uk/pageassets/advice/resources/sexviolenceharassment-Apr19.pdf 

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Plus Alan talks to Lancaster Students Union about the way they're changing the way their advice team works across the union, and Livia talks to Sunderland SU where the team has been changing its approach to student opportunities.

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