The end of the academic year in May 2011 at Leeds University saw one of the most exciting student elections in history. It’s the time when we as students, through democratic elections, decide who we want to represent us in order to gain more opportunity and a louder voice within our education system. With the votes reaching over 8000, it was the largest student election the nation had ever seen.
During the run up, the buzz was hard to ignore. The university campus was painted with flyers and banners, alive with campaigns from those who believed that they could make a difference and enhance our student lives. With six executive roles to fill, the game was on. It was in our hands to decide whose ability and input would be the most beneficial and it was their job to win our hearts. One person in particular did. Ben Jackson won his position as Leeds University’s Education Officer with an impressive 2,254 votes. Having finished his three years studying, Ben has been working as Education officer since June and has secured himself as Leeds Uni’s favourite red head (since Florence Welch headlined the stage at the summer ball in 2010 though the less said about that, the better).
HC: What course did you study at Leeds University?
I studied Biology and managed to bag myself a cheeky 2.1.
HC: What does your role as education officer involve?
As one of six elected students I represent all students at the University on any educational or academic issues. This basically means I work closely with the University, School Reps and the Union to help ensure that the education that students receive in Leeds is the best it can be.
HC: Why did you decide to run for the position?
I was actually a Course Rep for Biology in my second year, and then a School Rep the year after that, so I’ve always been quite interested and involved in the representative system and working to make things better for students. The student voice is often lost at higher levels where a lot of decisions are made, and I wanted to ensure that students have their opinions, ideas and views heard. The University can sometimes forget that students are at the heart of the University community, and that working together is the best way of developing and getting the best out of the experience.
HC: What is your favourite part of the role?
It has to be the people I work with. Everybody who works for the Union is incredible and it’s the reason why we have the best Union in the country. And obviously I work with students everyday so it’s an awesome job.
HC: Do you feel your role benefits a lot of students? If so, why?
Completely. Everything that I and the rest of the Exec do is for students; that’s why we have all run for the position. I work on projects that I hope will benefit the education of students and I challenge the University to make sure that students are thought about at every level of University life.
HC: Do you feel enough people are aware of the execs and what they do?
No. Over the past couple of years both the Union and the Exec have tried hard to raise the profile of the Exec, and that it isn’t just about what they do but about who they are too. This is so that students have a clearer idea of who is making the decisions that ultimately affect them. It’s so students can hold us to account. In the last Leadership Race (the one I was running in) we had 52 candidates and over 8000 students voted which is a UK record. I really think that students are becoming more involved and interested in who the Exec are and what they along with the Union as a whole does.
HC: What do you hope to go on to do after this year?
It’s unlikely that I’ll run for the position again as I think it’s important that the Exec are always new students with new ideas to help develop the Union. I’m going to take some time out to do some more travelling, find myself (!) and then maybe go on to do Postgraduate Veterinary medicine.
HC: Why Leeds?
I fell in love with Leeds when I came up for the open day before Uni. It’s such a fantastic city, right next to the Yorkshire Dales and with an awesome nightlife. It’s impossible to be bored in Leeds.
HC: Describe Leeds in five words…
Sick safe sound silly beaut!
HC: What is your favourite night out in Leeds?
Has to be Flux!
HC: What is your best memory from your time at Leeds Uni?
Probably second year as a whole, and then the Malham field trip.
HC: What is Leeds Uni’s best kept secret?
I think it would have to be Distrikt bar in town. It’s a wicked place which is becoming more and more well known.