A campaign empowering women+ students in leadership
In the March 2023 Students’ Union (LUSU) elections, it became apparent that LUSU has a serious problem with gender equity in its student leadership. Only 1 out of 8 Full Time Officer (FTO) candidates were Women+, a disappointing statistic considering almost 52% of the current student population identify as women.
However, nominations for FTO roles are only the tip of the iceberg. Gender disparities also exist across college JCRs, and we also know there are acute challenges for female and non-binary leaders in sports teams, societies, and academic representation.
The term ‘women+’ covers any self-defining female or non-binary student.
Positions of leadership are defined as the following roles: FTOs, LCOs, Union Assembly Delegates, Student Trustees, JCR Executive Committee members, Faculty and Lead Academic Reps, Society Executive Committee members, Sports Club Executive Committee members and Forum Executive Committee members.
What is She Should Run?
‘She Should Run’ is a network for women+ in reach of, or hoping to reach, positions of leadership within the Students’ Union and beyond, in which members are offered transformational support and given the opportunities and encouragement they may need to inspire future leadership. In May 2023, former VP Welfare, Vic Phillips reflected on women+ in leadership and the glass ceiling in action in this article.
Our vision for 2023/24 🎯
Across the course of the year, we want to deliver 10 informative workshops in a bid to empower and up-skill our network of women+ leaders and for that, we need your help. Workshops can be delivered by students and LUSU staff members with a passion for inspiring the future generation of women+ leaders.
How do I get involved?
If you are interested in leading a workshop session, please complete the ‘Workshop Proposal Form’ linked below. We are not currently taking submissions for new workshops but will be doing so shortly. A selection process will then take place by a panel formed of Women+ Forum Exec members. Successful candidates will be contacted regarding their workshop date in Week 3 of Michaelmas term.
Workshops must be approximately two hours in length and suitable for an audience of 30-40 people. They must be accessible, inclusive, and include some elements of interactivity. Workshop leaders will be paid £100 per workshop, funded by LUSU.
Download the Workshop Proposal Form
Keep an eye out on our social media channels for the latest information regarding our empowering workshops. Workshops are led by students or LUSU staff members on a topic of their choice; chosen and curated specifically with the intention of empowering the future generation of women+ leaders and inspiring change within leadership roles.
Stay up to date on the campaign
To keep up to date with all the activity relating to the She Should Run campaign, make sure that you're following @lusuwomenplusofficer and @luwomenplus on Instagram.
