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Elections for our Academic Reps take place during March and October. Your Department will inform you of the Rep roles up for election and let you know when voting will take place. By-elections for vacant positions can take place throughout the year.
Standing Opens
Key Dates
How standing works:
Your department will notify you of the roles that are up for standing, and the ones you are eligible to stand for. To stand for a role, please complete the online standing form.
In the lecture of the vote, you may make a short candidate statement explaining why you would be the best person to represent your course.
How voting works:
Single transferrable vote
AberSU uses the Single Transferable Vote (STV) to elect our academic representatives. This basically means that each voter gets the chance to rank candidates in order they wish to see them elected – they will select numbers rather than just put a mark. A winning candidate must receive a certain number of votes (known as quota) to be elected, which will change depending on the number of votes cast and the positions available. This is in our opinion is the fairest method as it means candidates must have wide support to win.
Want to know more about being an Academic Rep?
What is an Academic Rep?
Academic Reps are students who collect feedback and speak on behalf of other students to help make your University education and experience the best it can be!
Academic Reps are elected to their role by students on their course, or in their department. This means they have been chosen as the best person to take a lead on voicing student feedback to staff within their department, the University or the Students’ Union.
The main way Academic Reps voice student feedback is by attending departmental Student Staff Consultative Committees (SSCCs) which take place 3 times a year, but they can also work with their Faculty Rep and the SU Academic Affairs Officer to raise feedback.
What is their role?
An Academic Rep is a simple but important role, which on average takes up just 1-2 hours of your time per week!
The key commitments of an Academic Rep include:
- Taking the lead on gathering feedback from students on your course or in your department.
- Promote your role amongst students and make it clear how they can contact you.
- Attend three departmental Student Staff Consultative Committees (SSCCs) a year.
- Tell students about any changes or improvements, to ensure that students know their feedback is valued and has been acted upon
Why should I become an Academic Rep?
We believe that the student voice matters most! We want to work with you to ensure students views, needs and concerns shape your Department, University and Students’ Union. By becoming an Academic Rep, you will have been elected by fellow students to be the best person to take a lead on voicing student view.
Top 5 reasons to become an Academic Rep:
- Make a difference at the University, enacting positive change
- Develop a range of skills from leadership and communication, to data collection and interpretation
- Strengthen your CV and provide tangible evidence of experince
- Network and connect with fellow students and staff
- Gain volunteer recognition through our Aber Award
What training and support is provided?
All Academic Reps are invited to attend a training session once elected to the role, this training expands upon what the role is and provides you with a solid foundation to get started in your role. Training is tailored to reps depending on whether they are a beginner or a returner.
As well as training we will regularly contact you with relevant updates, information, and opportunities relating to your role – this will include the chance to attend regional and national conferences to meet reps from other institutions.
The Academic Affairs Officer and Academic Representation Coordinator are also on hand throughout the year to organise regular catch-ups, networking opportunities, additional training opportunities, and provide ongoing support should you need it.
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