Search Engage

Hey everyone, my name is Qiuying wu(Ria).

I’m currently a finally year student of sociology and international relation. I’m currently running for the role of equality and liberation officer, as I’m deeply passionate about marking this world a more inclusive place, and by running this role, I could start by helping the university where I’ve spent four years of my life take another step towards being more inclusive.

There are different things to me that I do believe that it could help with understanding what we need to be more inclusive. For it is a reality that I’ve live in here everyday, to start with, during my study in university of Leeds, I’m label as a international student, I’m also a mature student. And aside from those, I’m also a feminist, a proud queer women, and someone who recent start on her journey on understand her own neurodiversity. All those things which makes me realise how hard it is to live with any of those things and why we need a more inclusive environment for everyone so that we are not making anyone feel like being left out in their time in the university.

And the policies I’ll be particularly focusing on creating a more inclusive environment for disable students, such as when comes to criteria for assessment and evaluation so that we can be one step closer to closing the awards gaps in students, and creates a more inclusive environment. As well as for for queer students especially with our gender minorities student. And try to understand what are their more urgent needs and how we can help making more systematically more inclusive. Furthermore I’ll also like to touch up on mature students especially with caring responsibilities, how we could help them ease the load even just by a little bit.

In all, the reason I’ll like to run for the lead LUU position is that I’ll like to be part of the change, and start small to make our university at step by step towards become one of the most inclusive university.

Candidate Statement

I’m Haryati. I was a part-time, mature, commuter, student-parent who graduated last summer. As your current Equality and Liberation officer, I am already working on making some of the things I want to see within the university and union. As a student I wasn’t actively engaged with the union, not because I didn’t want to, but couldn’t because of my other responsibilities. This changed in my final year, and I became my school rep and now I’m part of the current student exec team. I’m a passionate believer in lifelong learning and volunteer with the university’s Lifelong Learning Centre as a Learning Champion. I believe that all students should have the same opportunities no matter their background. Originally from Singapore, I understand how it feels to be a stranger in a new place that is to be your home, whether that home is for a year or a little longer. I’ve just about got used to being a Leeds resident after 17 years!


Fix the Cistem

In the last few years, there’s been an increased in attacks on trans rights, where trans people’s existence has been made into an issue, revolving around bullsh*t concerns for women and children. This has led to non-binary and trans students no longer feeling safe and unable to be their authentic selves. A lot of our current systems exist to serve those already benefiting from it most. Fix the Cistem asks that the university scrutinise the systems that are in place, which harm and oppress the most marginalised among us. This concerns us all, because Leeds is a better place when everyone of us feel safe and supported.

Support and training

There is support available for students but these are not easy to find. Having a simple QR code that is visible where students are, which lists all the support available to them, would help those who are struggling. Training for all staff, especially those who directly interact with students, should embed equality and inclusion, so that they can serve the diverse student community. We need to be confident that when we do seek help and support, we are not left feeling worse.

Real Living Wage

Times are hard for everyone, and students are feeling the impact of the current cost of living crisis like everyone else. Students are passionate about what they want out of university and some work to ensure they can afford to do so. However, having to work longer hours means that they are less able to volunteer, or even having to consider the purpose of university if they have to make huge sacrifices to their learning and development. A real living wage will have a real immediate impact on students which is not only financial but also for their physical and mental wellbeing.