Become an Academic Rep

Academic Reps are elected by their cohort so students can decide who represents them. Each year of study and programme can nominate and vote for the student they would like to be their voice in key meetings.

When are the Elections?

We hold elections for Rep roles to ensure students can decide democratically who represents them. You must nominate yourself and include a short statement to your peers outlining why you would like the role. These elections happen twice a year, focusing on electing different roles at different times.

If you would like to see when the next election is, you can find the election timetable here.

What do I include in my Manifesto?

To nominate yourself for an Academic Rep position, all you need is a short manifesto and a picture of yourself. If you are struggling to get started:

• Manifestos should be no longer than 500 words, so make sure you get your point across efficiently.
• Express why you would like to be an Academic Rep, including any previous experience in representing your peers.
  • E.g., School Prefect/Councillor, peer mentoring, previously an Academic Rep
• State any objectives you would like to achieve if you were to become an Academic Rep; remember to be realistic and not make false claims.
  • E.g., Better quality of assessment feedback, more subject-specific study spaces
• A preferable picture

How do I get votes?

As a candidate for an Academic Rep position, you cannot spend money on your campaign. However, it is important to inform your peers of your candidacy to encourage them to vote for you. Here are some of the ways you can promote the elections:

• Shout out in lectures
• Message in program-specific group chat
• Speak to your peers

The SU and your departments will also be promoting the elections through emails, stands and giveaways.

Election Contacts

For questions regarding position eligibility, contact su-voice@bath.ac.uk.

For technical questions relating to the functionality of the website, contact suweb@bath.ac.uk

For all questions relating to candidate rulings or complaints about a particular election, contact sureturningofficer@bath.ac.uk.

Academic Representatives are students who represent their course from an academic perspective. They are the key link between Academic Staff and students. The role of a Rep is to take the student voice, no matter how big or small, straight to academic staff to discuss action and change to improve the student academic experience. These are in place for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught courses.

The duties and responsibilities of a Rep are:

• Gather and represent student feedback
• Support informal issue resolution
• Engage in committee participation
• Collaborate on broader academic issues

To find put more, please find the full role description below.

Department Reps are elected from existing Academic Reps to lead representation within a department. They work closely with both Reps and departmental staff to develop targeted and sustained change for students.

There are two Undergraduate Reps and one Postgraduate Taught Rep for each of the departments. Please see the School Representative for representatives in the School of Management.

The duties and responsibilities of a Rep are:

• Champion the student voice
• Foster constructive relationships
• Lead and empower Reps
• Collaborate across the student community
• Collaborate on broader academic issues

To find put more, please find the full role description below.

Faculty Representatives are elected to represent their Faculty. They are the lead voice for students in the faculty, collaborating with Department Reps to do so. They work closely with Faculty Senior Management to develop positive change for students.

There are two Undergraduate Reps and one Postgraduate Taught Rep for each of the three faculties. Please see the School Representative for representatives in the School of Management.

The duties and responsibilities of a Faculty Rep are:

• Lead representative in your Faculty
• Collaborate and communicate with other representatives
• Review materials and engage in committees
• Engage in advocacy and campaign activities

To find put more, please find the full role description below.

Faculty Reps also make up the Exec Committees: Academic Exec, PGT Exec, and Doctoral Exec. As a member, they will work closely with your Officers and the SU’s Voice team to tackle university-wide issues and the SU’s Top Ten. 

You may notice that Senate Rep is not in the hierarchy diagram. The Senate Representative is elected by students to represent their voices on the Senate committee. Senate is responsible for directing and regulating the academic work of the University and is seen as the highest-level committee at Bath. To find out more about Senate, please click here.

The duties and responsibilities of a Faculty Rep are:

• Leading and managing regular Academic Exec meetings
• Collaborating with the Faculty Reps, SU Education Officer and SU staff to prepare Exec agendas and consult on subjects related to education at Bath
• Strengthen SU events and campaigns related to academic welfare at Bath

An SU Officer is a student elected to work full-time (and paid) to represent the student voice in Bath. Each Officer has a specific area that they work on to make Bath the best it can be. Those that work closest with Reps are the SU Education Officer and the SU Postgraduate Officer. The role is a great opportunity to represent students at a University-wide level to ensure that Bath students' educational experience is high-quality and fair.