Working for Students (The Membership Services Show)

Wonkhe/CounterCulture

Every week Livia Scott (Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Counterculture) chat to SUs around the UK to showcase their projects, activities and initiatives that are making a difference to students.

  1. Treasure hunting, democratic KPIs, stigma and basic needs

    APR 24

    Treasure hunting, democratic KPIs, stigma and basic needs

    This week on Working for Students Middlesex SU’s, Leanne Lewis explains how a gamified induction treasure hunt is helping students navigate campus, activate their accounts, and build early relationships. We then turn to Anglia Ruskin SU, where Demi Smith challenges the sector’s reliance on election turnout as a measure of success, and Arts SU, where Margarita Marie Ronquillo explores stigma in basic needs support. With Leanne Lewis (Student Voice Manager, Middlesex Students’ Union), Demi Smith (Democracy Coordinator, Anglia Ruskin Students’ Union), and Margarita Marie Ronquillo (Arts Students’ Union), and hosted by Livia Scott and Alan Roberts. Membership Services Conference session proposal form

    34 min
  2. Democracy, union unfiltered, AI research

    APR 17

    Democracy, union unfiltered, AI research

    This week on Working for Students, Livia speaks with Ben Sanders from Wrexham Students’ Union about efforts to reclaim the power behind student democracy. Alan catches up with Sarah Waterhouse at Manchester Met Students’ Union to unpack their innovative “Union Unfiltered” platform. And Livia talks to Mack from Wonkhe about new research into how students are actually using AI in their learning. With Ben Sanders (Wrexham Students’ Union), Sarah Waterhouse (Manchester Met Students’ Union), and Mack Marshall (Wonkhe), and hosted by Livia Scott (Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Counterculture). You can subscribe to the show on Acast, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or via your favourite app with the RSS feed, and if you’re interested in being on, do get in touch.

    40 min
  3. Safe adventures, student representation

    MAR 27

    Safe adventures, student representation

    This week on Working for Students, we hear from Rosie of Organised Fun on the launch of the Safe Adventures report, exploring how students’ unions can take a more structured, principles-led approach to student group safety – from competence and risk to communication and equipment – while still enabling participation and fun. We also hear from Jill at the University of Westminster on a QAA-funded sector audit of student representation, unpacking what effective student voice looks like across the UK, the importance of resourcing and training, and why authentic relationships sit at the heart of meaningful engagement. And we close our Middlesex SU series with Sarah and Cam reflecting on the Fast Track Scheme – how it identifies and develops talent, its impact on organisational innovation, and the challenges of supporting rapid progression. With Rosie Hunnam (Organised Fun), Jill LeBihan (University of Westminster), Sarah Redman and Cam Purwanto (Middlesex Students’ Union), and hosted by Livia Scott (Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Counterculture).

    51 min
  4. Ethical banking, liberation, inclusive sport

    MAR 20

    Ethical banking, liberation, inclusive sport

    This week on Working for Students we hear how Durham SU has moved savings out of HSBC as part of a push for more ethical banking, and why that decision could strengthen the case for wider divestment campaigns across higher education. We also look at how Middlesex SU has been building liberation networks through student-led community development, and how Sussex SU is working to make sport more inclusive for trans students while navigating the constraints of national competitive frameworks. With Abi Taylor, President at Durham SU; Lulu Thomas from Middlesex SU’s Fast Track scheme; and Ella Goodchild, Sports, Societies and Events Officer, and Imo Greene, Sports Club Assistant, at Sussex SU. Hosted by Livia Scott (Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (CounterCulture).

    33 min
  5. Groups, laundry, academic socs

    MAR 13

    Groups, laundry, academic socs

    This week on the show Alan and Livia hear from Cheyenne at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, about using student programme advisors to support clubs and organisations at scale, and how peer-led support can help stretch capacity while building students’ own skills. They also catch up with Sam at York SU to discuss the rising cost of campus laundry, why it should be seen as part of students’ basic needs, and how evidence, testimony and a strong student campaign can shift the conversation with universities. Finally, Alan continues the Fast Track Scheme series with Sean from Middlesex Students’ Union, exploring the work to rebuild academic societies, strengthen course-based community, and create more co-curricular opportunities for students. With Cheyenne Alexander, Associate Director of Student Life and Involvement at the University of Massachusetts Lowell; Sam Dickinson, Community and Wellbeing officer from York SU; and Sean from Middlesex Students’ Union. Hosted by Livia Scott (Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Counter Culture).

    34 min
  6. Elections, events, AI

    MAR 5

    Elections, events, AI

    This week on the show Alan and Livia talk to Nick Smith to work out what election candidates and voters should understand about the realities of sabbatical officer roles, from campaign promises to the slower work of influence and negotiation. Then Kes from MDXSU reflects on building student engagement through events and Sheeba and Jacob from KCLSU explain how students and staff worked together to develop a student-led AI manifesto, setting out principles and priorities for AI use in learning and assessment. With Nick Smith (SU Democracy and Governance Consultant), Kes Rowlands (Engagement & Impact Coordinator, MDXSU), Sheeba Naaz (Vice President Postgraduate, King’s College London Students’ Union) and Jacob Tucker (Student Voice Facilitator) and hosted by Livia Scott (Partnerships Coordinator, Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Director of Western Europe, Counterculture).

    36 min
  7. Neuroinclusive, petitions, FE and HE

    FEB 26

    Neuroinclusive, petitions, FE and HE

    This week on Working for Students – the Membership Services Show, we’re exploring how SUs can design services and spaces that genuinely work for the students they represent. Livia and Alan talk to Layna Forbes at Coventry SU, who talks about what it really means to build a neuroinclusive campus. Sharanya Sivarajah at MDXSU discusses student engagement with petitions. And Alex Harden-Way at UCB Guild of Students talks about redesigning services to support both FE and HE students. With Layna Forbes, Activities Officer at Coventry Students’ Union, Sharanya Sivarajah, Senior Campaigns and Influence Coordinator at MDXSU, Alex Harden-Way, Managing Director at UCB Guild of Students, and presented by Livia Scott, Partnerships Coordinator at Wonkhe, and Alan Roberts from CounterCulture.

    41 min
  8. Basic needs, fast track data, advice accreditation

    FEB 19

    Basic needs, fast track data, advice accreditation

    This week on Working for Students (the podcast formerly known as the Membership Services Show), Livia and Alan reflect on the year ahead – including the Secret Life of Students event and its focus on the human side of AI – before diving into three interviews. Lexi Baynes from the University of Manchester SU discusses the launch of their new student basic needs service, Essentials. Tom Levers shares insights from the Fast Track graduate scheme at Middlesex SU, focusing on data and insight. And Tom Wood, Head of Advice and Wellbeing at Coventry University SU talks through their journey to securing AQS accreditation. With Lexi Baynes (Manchester Students’ Union), Tom Levers (Middlesex Students’ Union), Tom Wood, Head of Advice and Wellbeing (Coventry University Students’ Union) and hosted by Livia Scott (Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (CounterCulture).

    33 min
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Every week Livia Scott (Wonkhe) and Alan Roberts (Counterculture) chat to SUs around the UK to showcase their projects, activities and initiatives that are making a difference to students.

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