Wednesday 21-05-2025 - 15:29

 

Learn about the different election processes for Liberation at LUSU. 

 

 

What is liberation @ LUSU?

At LUSU, we are passionate about equity and advocating for the needs and interests of marginalised groups within our student community. Following a recent vote by Union Assembly, LUSU has changed the way in-which we do this vital work.

Liberation at LUSU is now overseen by the following bodies:

-              Accessibility Community,
-              BAME Committee,
-              International Students’ Forum,
-              LGBTQ+ Community,
-              Women’s+ Network.

Each is led by student leaders, has a seat on Union Assembly, and forms an important part of the Students’ Union’s provision.
 

We’re looking for leaders for 2025/26

Now, we are calling for students to step up and lead our liberation work for the 2025/26 academic year.

Routes into roles on our liberation groups vary – some have formal elections and other are simply looking for willing volunteers. Overall, we have a huge range of opportunities available, so if you are looking to develop your skills and contribute to the student community next academic year – look no further! 

Click through the groups below to find out what is available and how to apply:

 

Accessibility Community

The Accessibility Community is LUSU’s new representative and community body for disabled students.

Who is eligible? 

All disabled students at Lancaster University are welcome to get involved in the community – by joining events, discussions, campaigns, or nominating themselves for a position on the executive committee.

We use the term disabled students to describe all students with access needs, including those with chronic or mental health conditions, neurodiversity, specific learning difficulties, or any other accessibility requirements. Any student who is covered by the definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010 and/or is eligible for a Lancaster University Inclusive Learning Support Plan (ILSP) is included. It is essential to recognise that there may be students classified under this definition who do not identify as Disabled for cultural or personal reasons.
 
What roles are available?
President: the person responsible for overseeing the work of the Community. They are responsible for ensuring rooms are booked, managing the budget, and supporting the work of the other committee members.

Vice-President: they deputise for the President and help with anything needed by the President or other members of the executive committee. 

Political Lead: they attend Union Assembly and act as the primarily voice of the Community, with the University, other student leaders, and external organisations.

General Executive Members: they undertake a range of tasks to keep the Community running, these include:

-              setting-up events and helping to move equipment;
-              managing the Community’s social media accounts, distributing information to members, and designing graphics;
-              planning and leading events or monitoring Community spaces online and on-campus;
-              planning, contributing to, and leading campaigns on campus or online.
 
What is the Community looking for?
The Accessibility Community is looking for highly motivated people willing to contribute to the growth and future success of the Community. We know the Accessibility Community is an important part of the student community and expect it to grow during the 2025/26 academic year.

If you are interested in leading this revival, then get involved! 
 
How do I get involved?
Nominations form.
Nominations close at 6pm on Friday 6th June.
Please note that there are sightly different nomination processes for the General Executive Members as this is being run as an open call for volunteers.
 
When does voting take-place?
You’re invited to vote at the Accessibility Community Annual Meeting 2025:
5pm – 7pm, Wednesday 11th June 2025
Welcome Centre LT3 (MazeMap)
 
If you are unable to attend and wish to send a proxy, please email su.governance@lancaster.ac.uk.

 

BAME Committee

The BAME Committee is LUSU’s new representative and community body for ethnic minority students.
 
Who is eligible? 
BAME Committee exists to represent all self-defining ethnic minority students. All ethnic minority students are eligible to volunteer on the BAME Committee.
 
What roles are available?
We are looking to fill all the roles on the BAME Committee for the 2025/26 academic year:

-              Chairperson
-              General Secretary
-              Networking Officer
-              Editor of the Newsletter
-              Events Officer
-              Social Media Officer
-              Podcast Host
-              Project Manager

More information about the roles can be found here.
 
What is the Committee looking for?
We’re looking for ethnic minority students who are willing and able to take the BAME Committee to the next level. We’re looking for committed proactive volunteers who can build on the work of the 2024/25 committee and make BAME Committee a strong and powerful voice for ethnic minority students.

Interested? Apply now!
 
How do I get involved?
We are currently not planning to run competitive elections for positions on BAME Committee. All you have to do is apply here.

Applications close at midnight on Monday 2nd June.

If the Union deem is necessary, elections may be held for highly competitive posts.


 

 

International Students’ Forum

The International Students' Forum is a dedicated space for international students and student leaders to advocate for the interests of international students at Lancaster. The forums is led and convened by the International Students’ Officer.
 
Who is eligible? 
The forum, and the election of the International Student’s Officer, are open to all international students. This includes those will joint nationality or who are not formally registered with the University as an international student.
 
What roles are available?
We are looking to elect the International Students’ Officer for the 2025/26 academic year. 

A full role description can be found here.
 
What is the Forum looking for?
The International Students’ Officers needs to be responsible and accountable leader. They should be willing to lead from the front and be prepared to communicate regularly with diverse group of students and student leaders. 

If you feel you have the leadership skills required, and motivation to proactively work on-behalf of international students – nominate yourself!
 
How do I nominate myself?
Nominations form.
Nominations close at 6pm on Friday 6th June.
 
When does voting take-place?
Voting for the International Students’ Officer 2025/2026 will take place at the International Students’ Forum Annual Meeting:
6pm – 8pm, Thursday 12th June 2025
Faraday Lecture Theatre (MazeMap)
 

 

LGBTQ+ Community

The LGBTQ+ Community exists as the central community for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning students at Lancaster University. The LGBTQ+ Community works to advocate for the needs and interests of LGBTQ+ students and provide a safe and welcoming space for all.
 
Who is eligible? 
All self-defining LGBTQ+ students are automatically members of the LGBTQ+ Community and are eligible to nominate themselves for a position on the executive committee.
Those wishing to nominate for a Network Co-Ordinator position must self-identify within the relevant group or be registered to a course within the relevant academic faculty.
 
What roles are available?
This Term the LGBTQ+ Community is seeking to elect:

-              LGBTQ+ Officer
-              Network Co-ordinators:

• Trans+ Network Co-Ordinator
• LGBTQ+ Faith Network Co-Ordinator
• LGBTQ+ Sports Network Co-Ordinator
• LGBTQ+ FASS Network Co-Ordinator
• LGBTQ+ STEM Network Co-Ordinator
• LGBTQ+ Health & Medicine Network Co-Ordinator
• LGBTQ+ Management School Network Co-Ordinator
• LGBTQ+ Neurodivergent & Disabilities Network Co-Ordinator

More information about the roles, and the Community as a whole, can be found in the LGBTQ+ Community Terms of Reference.
 
What is the Community looking for?
The LGBTQ+ Community is looking for nominees who are willing to proactively lead the Community and the respective networks within it. All the available roles can be shaped to fit your style of leadership. However, strong interpersonal, organisational, and communication skills will help any post-holder to deliver success.
 
How do I nominate myself?
Candidates for Network Co-ordinators can message the Instagram or welfare.lancasterlgbtq@gmail.com to express interest, or approach on the day of the AGM.

Nominations are required for LGBTQ+ Officer, opening Friday 30th May and closing Thursday 5th June. Candidates for LGBTQ+ Officer need to message the Instagram or welfare.lancasterlgbtq@gmail.com, including a manifesto of up to 250 words.
 
When does voting take-place?
Voting will take place at the LGBTQ+ Community Annual General Meeting:
6pm, Tuesday 10th June 2025
Fylde LT1 (MazeMap)

 

 

Women’s+ Network

The Women’s+ Network exists to represent the views and concerns of all women+ students at Lancaster. Made-up of women+ leaders from across the Students’ Union, and open to all women+ students, the network meet to plan, collaborate, and campaign.
 
Who is eligible? 
All self-defining women+ students are automatically members of the network and are eligible for nominate themselves for the position of Women’s+ Officer.
 
What roles are available?
We are looking to elect the Women’s+ Officer for the 2025/26 academic year. 

A full role description can be found here.
 
What is the Network looking for?
The Women’s+ Officer needs to act as a leader for women+ advocacy and representation within the University. They should be willing to be in the public eye, and capable of engaging and collaborating with a large number of women+ student leaders.

If you feel ready to take on the role, nominate yourself!
 
How do I nominate myself?
Nominations form. 
Nominations close at 6pm on Friday 6th June.
 
When does voting take-place?
Voting opens at the Women’s+ Network Annual Meeting:
5:30pm, Friday 13th June 2025
Welcome Centre LT2 (MazeMap)

Voting will remain open for approximately 24hours and will close at 6:30pm on Saturday 14th June.