Helen Slater

• The Education Officer represents undergraduate students on all academic matters and ensure their perspectives influence decision-making across the University, from Education Quality and Standards to the Education Advisory Board to Senate- so that academic policy and practice genuinely reflect what is best for the student body
• The Education Officer, along with the SU President, serves as a Student Governor, which involves contributing to the University’s long-term strategy direction. They sit on University Council, ensuring student perspectives are part of discussions at the highest levels of governance while balancing the needs of the University of Bath

What does a typical day or week look like in this role?

• Preparing to represent students and actually representing students in various University meetings, serving as an informed student voice and advocate
• Working on projects, like manifesto commitments, the education-related Top 10 points, or SU priorities, frequently consulting with student representatives and University staff
• Contributing to organisational planning and governance of The SU
• Student engagement work - from writing updates to filming light-hearted videos for social media.

On which University committees, working groups or meetings does this role represent students?

• Council
• Accessibility Committee
• Access and Participation Plan Oversight Group
• Education Advisory Board
• Senate
• Education Quality and Standards Committee
• Global Voice and Reputation Project
• Library Consultative Group
• Senior Academic Advisor Forum
• Student Voice Leadership Group
• And many more!

Within the SU, what working groups or committees does this role sit in?

• Academic Communities Oversight Group
• Academic Executive Committee
• Board of Trustees
• Education Awards Committee
• Weekly Leadership Group Meeting
• Weekly Student Voice Meeting
• People and Engagement Committee
• Rep Roundtables
• SUmmit
• And many more!

What do you find most rewarding about being a Student Officer?

• What I find most rewarding is the mix between working directly with students and feeding their experiences into higher-level decision making. You don’t often get quick wins in this role; a lot of the work is about laying the groundwork for longer-term change. But hearing what matters to students and then taking that into senior meetings to advocate on their behalf, feels genuinely worthwhile.