Andy Law – Student Trustee Candidate As someone who works full-time in higher education in the area of academic quality, and also in the area of equality and diversity in two roles that are additional to my job title, guaranteeing and developing the quality of the student experience for each and every student is important to me. My experience of working in a university grants me a depth and breadth of knowledge of the sector. I am able to draw on this, and specifically on my experience of studying and working at a different university, to table fresh and well-informed perspectives rooted in observation of best practice. I would push for the Graduate Students’ Association to provide input into university committees on the diverse needs of postgraduate students, identifying and addressing issues such as the accessibility of postgraduate programmes to those supporting their studies with full- or part-time work. I would encourage officers and staff at the Graduate Students’ Association to develop an always-listening approach through actively seeking feedback on the quality of services and activities on a regular basis, in a quick and easy form. This would serve to increase the engagement of postgraduate students in the future direction of the Graduate Students’ Association, and establish a greater level of ongoing input. I would encourage support for the establishment of new diversity groups and the development of existing ones, such as the LGBTQ Postgraduate Network. I would encourage collaboration between postgraduate and undergraduate groups where such a relationship may be beneficial in order to stimulate involvement and build critical mass in the foundation stages. I would push for more comprehensive information about such groups to be provided on the Graduate Students’ Association website. I bring vast experience of committee work in various different roles: within charitable organisations, the students’ union at the university where I completed my undergraduate degree and professionally in higher education as part of my day job. My experiences with a wide range of groups and organisations have instilled in me a knowledge and understanding of the governance of charities and charitable organisations. With York Pride, I supported the transition from charitable organisation to charity, helping both with the Charity Commission application and the development of the constitutional documents. I constantly strive to improve the life experiences of other people – of all people. I have dedicated countless hours to volunteering for various different groups, organisations and projects over the last few years, winning and being nominated for numerous volunteering awards for my work. However, on starting my MA here, I could no longer commit to my three significant voluntary roles on top of part-time study and a full-time job. Being a student trustee would enable me to once again contribute to the community above and beyond my day job, without overly straining professional and academic commitments. I am excited by and highly value the opportunity to improve the student experience for others, both for my peers and for future postgraduate students at the University of York.