Her Campus Leeds spoke to final year Japanese student, Beckie Smith, about how she hopes to bring some ‘Good News’ to Leeds University…
So, Beckie, tell us a bit about yourself and your experience.
I’m currently co-president of Lippy and a features editor at Leeds Student Newspaper. I’m responsible for the more serious, double-spread features and the Society of the Week column. This year I’ve been lucky enough to do a few interviews too with people like Jack Straw, which has been fantastic. I’ve written for several sections of the paper and in the past I’ve done comment, news, reviews and travel writing as well as features. I’m also a sub-editor for Ones to Watch, which is a website that features the best student journalism from across the country. I’ve been a web editor and an Art and Culture editor too, so I have a really broad range of experience to bring to the paper! I really enjoy writing and I’m hoping to become a journalist.
Why did you choose to run for Editor?
It’s a really good opportunity – I love Leeds Student and I love editing. I feel like it wouldn’t have made any sense for me not to run! I’ve had quite a lot of experience managing a large team and a range of different content this year when working for Lippy and I’ve really enjoyed it. I think that Leeds Student is a great publication but there are ways in which it could be improved and I feel I would be the best person to do that. I care about good quality, honest journalism, and I want to help make Leeds Student the best it can possibly be. One of the things I’ve most enjoyed this year is helping other people to do what they enjoy and develop as writers and editors. When I think about the opportunities I’ve had through Leeds Student – it’s pretty amazing to help put together a paper that’s read by 15,000 students a week! I’d love to help give other people the opportunities and experience that I’ve had.
What makes your manifesto stand out from the other candidates?
My manifesto is less about big, drastic changes and more about making Leeds Student more professional and more inclusive for the diverse student body at Leeds. I’ve thought really carefully, in detail, about how I’m going to put each of my manifesto promises in place. So, for example, I’ve promised to give students more in-depth investigations and more live blogs of events like Varsity. To do that, I’d introduce senior reporters and a web editor to oversee everything that goes online. This would allow the news editors to concentrate on editing to make sure everything’s accurate and proof read! It would also give the digital associate more freedom to work on new mobile apps and a website redesign.
So how do you plan to make the paper more inclusive?
I’ve been really thorough in researching my manifesto to find out what people actually want. I’ve worked quite closely with societies, talking to them and doing a society survey to see how Leeds Student can work better with them. Over half of the societies said that they have been represented quite well in the paper – but we still have a long way to go. One of the ways I plan to deal with this is by running training for societies on how to write good press releases to promote their events. This would give us all the information we need to come along, talk to people, and cover the story.
I want to have more blogs to give people a chance to write about what matters to them. For example, a mature student writing about what it’s like to juggle family life with study or society blogs about what they are doing. I’d also like to have a Guardian-style week in pictures gallery so you can see what students have been up to on and off campus.
Is there anything in your manifesto or vision for the paper that you think will stand out to female students?
I want to have training for writers and editors so that news stories that address sensitive issues, such as sexual assault, are properly researched and well presented. There’s definitely no place for victim blaming or misogyny in Leeds Student. This would also count for other articles, such as comment pieces.
What do you like to do outside of student media and your degree?
I don’t have loads of free time, but I do like going out in Leeds and live music, especially small gigs at the Brudenell. I’m a member of the Japanese society for the social side of things so I go to the pub with them quite a bit. I also do quite a lot of writing, I’ve recently started writing freelance articles for the Independent, and really enjoy travelling. For New Year I went to Slovenia, which was amazing, and I really want to go back there.
If you don’t manage to get elected, what are your plans after graduating?
I’ve known that I want to be a journalist for years, so I’ve pretty much got my heart set on that! I’m planning on taking a postgrad journalism course, but I’ll work for a year first to get some funds together and get as much experience as I can. I’d really like to start doing more freelance work too. As for the immediate future, I’m looking forward to a bit of time off! One of my best friends lives in Canada and I’m hoping to visit her this summer. Maybe if there’s a local paper that will take me on for some work experience I could even extend the trip!
Finally, why should we vote for you?
It’s difficult not to come across as a campaign cliché but I honestly believe in everything I’m saying! I really care about Leeds Student and I’d work really hard to make sure that it stands out as a professional and engaging paper that’s known for really high quality student journalism. I’ll work with students to make sure that we give them what they want and that there’s something for everyone. I can back up all of my promises with experience and I think I’ve got what it takes to make Leeds Student even better.
Image Sources:
All Beckie’s own.