Student-led advocacy in the postgraduate student space: How NUPSA represents students at UON & future directions James Pinkerton PhD Candidate/President NUPSA Email: james.pinkerton@uon.edu.au

What is NUPSA? Newcastle University Postgraduate Student’s Association Founded in 1995 Became autonomous entity in 1997 Exists to promote the interests & welfare of all postgraduate students; promote the postgraduate student experience; and provide support Officially supports all postgraduates at UON: Grad Certificate Masters (Coursework / Research) PhD (Coursework / Research) Research Honours (unofficially) A body that is run by students for students Supported through the delivery of SSAF

How is NUPSA currently structured? COURSEWORK REP Faria Quoreshi EQUITY REP Pam Connell GLBTI REP Barrie Shannon INTERNATIONAL REP Anish Saini Applications Open PRESIDENT James Pinkerton VICE PRESIDENT Albina Gayoso RESEARCH REP Ashleigh McIntyre SATELLITE REP Samarth Ullal (Sydney) ABORIGINAL/TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER REP

NUPSA Representatives: What’s required? Democratically elected by peers within the postgraduate student community Undergo induction (including roles and functions of a NUPSA Executive member) Details the portfolio to represent Emphasis on representing the collective student body Must engage as often as possible with the diverse student cohort

Engagement with Postgraduate Body Workshops Enhance student skills E.g. Time management, networking, communication Social / Cultural events Build community, forging friendships amongst peers E.g. Cultural festivals, movie screenings, NRL/A-League, games nights Clubs / Societies Encourage student enterprise, develop networks (and fun!) Peer-to-peer Direct interaction, committees, representative meetings

Individual Support / Advocacy One-on-one support to students in need NUPSA Executive / staff members available to provide support Have undergone First Aid, Mental Health First Aid and ALLY training Services include: Private consultation Assistance navigating university systems General assistance / advice Direction to appropriate services (e.g. Office of Student Advocacy, Counselling Service)

Uni-wide / National Advocacy NUPSA advocates for postgraduate students across the university, NSW and Australia to improve the postgraduate student experience UON Meetings with UON Executive members and key stakeholders Presence and representation on university committees State-wide / Australia-wide Membership on national representative bodies (such as CAPA and CISA) Representation at relevant forums (e.g. Universities Australia, NSW parliamentary forums, student advocate conferences)

NUPSA Advocacy in 2017 Meetings with relevant stakeholders UON, community, government National affiliates CAPA, CISA, etc. Media channels Monthly newsletter, website, social media, mailing list UON channels, local radio Letter writing UON stakeholders, community, government Rallies

Effective Advocacy for the Future NUPSA Executive has changed over time to suit the needs of changing student populace Need for online student advocate UON Greater consultation with student body required Need to streamline electoral procedures across university State-wide / Australia-wide Growth and development of national representative bodies critical to ensure the student voice is heard

Acknowledgements NUPSA Executive members Staff members Ellie Clay & Hugh Milligan Former executive Andrew Deane CAPA Peter Derbyshire Office of Student Advocacy Natalie Wild Cath Nicols Jenny Allen