Leeds University Union Announces Candidates for Upcoming Elections

Students prepare to vote for new Union representatives

Leeds University Union (LUU) has revealed the candidates standing for its upcoming student elections, with 16 roles available across various areas of student representation. The election offers students the opportunity to select representatives who will shape the Union’s activities and priorities over the coming year.

Candidate Overview

The candidates are competing for positions within several categories including Student Executives, Postgraduate Trustee, Liberation and Identity Engagement, and Faculty Engagement Leaders. Each candidate has outlined their priorities and goals for their prospective roles.

Student Executives

• Union Affairs & Communications
  • Amala Bonnie: Focus on participatory governance, financial accessibility, and city connections.
  • Sourav Dasgupta: Proposes introducing free weekly meals and fostering a sense of belonging.
  • Poppy Glaze: Emphasises charity networks, career solutions, and creativity access.
  • AJ Semark: Part of the Equality and Justice Slate, aims to make the Union a 24-hour space and protect protest rights.
  • Lucy Hart: Plans to address rent increases, employment opportunities, bus travel costs, and reinstate the winter tent.
• Welfare & Liberation
  • Sebastian Glasper: Campaigns for safer housing and liberation.
  • Myra Vaish: Advocates for accessible support and affordable community.
  • Mahek R. Mattikop: Proposes a centralised mental health support platform.
  • Abinaya Ashok Anand: Focuses on inclusion and confidence for international students.
• Student Opportunities & Development
  • Nolly Quinn: Supports student creativity and community building.
  • Hannah Parish: Aims to improve society accessibility, funding, and lecture scheduling.
  • Tineka Jennings: Wants to enhance student experience and bring back the Winter Tent.
  • Isabelle Beauvoisin: Equality and Justice Slate candidate advocating for ethical campus policies and student democracy.
• Academic Experience
  • Sylvie Reed: Supports paid community officers and representation for joint honours and non-Western researchers.
  • Annika Nair: Focuses on assessments, career pathways, and student-centred systems.
  • Mohammad Tasfiq Jawaad: Proposes digital showcasing of academic work and an emergency maintenance fund.
  • Nico Li: Equality and Justice Slate candidate promoting ethical partnerships and solidarity for refugees and migrants.

Postgraduate Trustee

• Josh and Charlotte: Aim to increase the representation and voice of postgraduate researchers within the Union.

Liberation and Identity Engagement

• LGBTQ+ Engagement
  • Ash Mallen: Wants to improve access to information and products for LGBTQ+ students.
  • Tee Smith: Advocates for respect of preferred names and prioritising gender expression funding.
• Gender Engagement
  • Kelsey Wittner: Focuses on safety for female and trans students and mental health support.
• Race & Ethnicity Engagement
  • Janeeta Rahardjo: Emphasises fostering a welcoming environment for all students.
• Disabled & Neurodivergent
  • Lula Hoffman: Campaigns for improved access and inclusion on campus.
  • Eve Groombridge: Seeks better financial support and quiet spaces for neurodiverse students.
• Class & Social Inequalities Engagement
  • Additional candidate aims to be announced.

Faculty Engagement Leaders

• Medicine & Health
  • Salma Al Tawaya: Wants to translate student feedback into action and strengthen faculty links.
  • Sunthera Pandiyan: Focuses on inclusivity, career readiness, and academic support.
  • Mohammad Almahri: Calls for more career and internship support.
  • Jun Siong Lee: Proposes weekly drop-in sessions for faculty feedback.
• Engineering & Physical Sciences
  • Emma Chaloner: Advocates for improved assessments, feedback, breaks, and career opportunities.
• Social Sciences & Environment
  • Reem Baloch: Focuses on