Leeds University Union Student Exec Reflects on 2025/26 Achievements

Student leaders highlight key initiatives and campaigns from the past academic year

As the 2025/26 academic year concludes, Leeds University Union’s Student Executive team has shared a summary of their work and achievements. The group, comprising six elected officers, has focused on addressing student priorities, influencing university policies, and contributing to national discussions affecting students.

Education and Academic Support

Shivani Gug, Education Officer, led several initiatives aimed at improving academic resources and student representation:

• Successfully campaigned for Edward Boyle Library to operate 24 hours, responding to student demand for extended access.
• Enhanced the role of Faculty Officers, ensuring they have a stronger voice in academic decisions, including assessments, personal tutoring, and guidelines around artificial intelligence.
• Engaged with Parliament to advocate for reforms to the student loan repayment system.
• Launched The Diversity Blog, a platform for students and staff with multifaceted cultural identities to share their experiences.
• Introduced the LUU Book Swap in Common Ground, providing students with free access to leisure reading materials.

Activities, Opportunities and Inclusion

Lydia Shale, Activities & Opportunities Officer, focused on promoting inclusivity and accessibility in student activities:

• Secured funding for the Women’s+ Sports Participation Project, addressing inequalities affecting women, trans, and non-binary students through student-led activism.
• Organised Women in Sport Panels over two years, featuring inspirational speakers connected to Leeds.
• Collaborated with the British Sign Language Society to obtain £10,000 for an Accessibility Fund, enabling societies to purchase specialised equipment.
• Hosted mixed gender sports tournaments following a Supreme Court ruling on trans identity in sport, promoting inclusive participation.
• Coordinated an International Women’s Day celebration week with events covering leadership, campaigning, sport, global issues, and health.

Union Affairs and Campaigns

Amara Relf, Union Affairs & Communications Officer, led campaigns on gender-based violence and representation:

• Helped secure over 114,000 signatures for a UK Government petition to classify misogyny as a hate crime, submitting it at Downing Street.
• Co-created the SASHA Accreditation Programme to address sexual harassment and assault in student spaces.
• Re-established the Reclaim the Night movement on campus, focusing on safety and empowerment.
• Founded the Liberation Student Committee to enhance representation of liberation groups in Union governance.
• Worked with the Islamic Society and University to establish a permanent Muslim Chaplain role.

Equality, Liberation and Cultural Initiatives

Safiyah Farid, Equality & Liberation Officer, organised and supported various cultural and awareness events:

• Organised Palestinian Culture Day involving over twenty-five societies, raising funds for the Gaza Humanitarian Scholarship Fund.
• Participated in the Sanctuary Steering Committee, contributing to scholarship opportunities for students in Gaza.
• Co-curated a Black History Exhibition featuring interactive elements and a local historical ‘wall of fame’.
• Launched a Women’s Health Campaign aiming to make the Union an Endometriosis-Friendly Employer and provide education and support.
• Organised an International Women’s Day Rally to promote solidarity among women of diverse backgrounds.

International and Postgraduate Student Support

Katrina Liu, International & Postgraduate Officer, worked to strengthen representation and community engagement:

• Improved international student representation through democratic structures and contributed to national policy discussions, including efforts to reduce proposed international student fee levies.
• Established the International Student Advisory Board to facilitate communication between international students, the University, and the Union.
• Launched the Postgraduate Research (PGR) Café to provide a social space for postgraduate researchers and supported the creation of a PGR Trustee role.
• Collaborated with the International Student Office to deliver cultural sharing events encouraging integration between home and international students.

Wellbeing and Student Support

Eden, Wellbeing Officer, focused on initiatives to support student welfare and institutional change:

• Conceptualised the “Breaking Bread” initiative, recognised by West Yorkshire Combined Authority and piloted with support from multiple student societies.
• Launched the Student Bereavement Network and supported sustainability and wellbeing projects, including a meal kit scheme for new students.
• Engaged with mental health and cancer charities in Leeds and the University of Leeds to enhance student support.
• Met with MP Rachel Reeves to discuss student loan reform and worked on housing policy improvements, including landlord DBS checks and support for disabled students.
• Attended a decolonisation conference and contributed to ongoing campaigns, including Gaza40+.
• Presented on student activism history at LibCon Warwick and supported students affected by the situation in Gaza.

The 2025/26 Student Executive team’s work reflects a broad commitment to improving student