Effecting Measurable Change for Students: Putting Theory into Practice Ollie Kasper Campaigns and Democracy Coordinator University of Nottingham Students’ Union NUS Campaigns Staff Network

Session Content Our set up Our approach to campaigning Some recent examples putting theory into practice

UoNSU Set Up “Campaigns and Democracy” sits in Communication Department, central department Department set up after 2010 Big Review Survey outlined communications as a key priority Elected officers requiring more operational support in terms of development and delivery of campaigns. Resulting in campaigning and democracy being centralised and not compartmentalised

UoNSU Set Up Campaigns and Democracy Coordinator Support from two different internships over the last twelve months: Campaigns and Policy Intern New role of Research Coordinator working from January, campaigns need to continue to be informed by research.

UoNSU Set Up Direct access to SU’s social media: 1,762 Twitter followers 10,191 “likes” on our official Facebook Page YouTube channel 9,671 views since summer 2011

UoNSU Approach New Website and MSL Mailing Database Admin of the website Access to all student if for priority campaigns Access to faculty/school/halls/societies/clubs and more mailing lists

UoNSU Approach The Demand All campaigns are based on a “need” or “demand” Evidence from surveys, focus groups, petitions, representative structures Basing the “background” for a campaign on a demand

UoNSU Approach

Ran at the start of the academic year Response rate of 13% (4,193) Surveying students on: Community Education Health and Wellbeing

UoNSU Approach Clear direction for ongoing campaigns Identifying needs for new campaigns Specific and measurable with “awareness” campaigns

UoNSU Approach

UoNSU Approach: Design and Delivery Peer to peer activist campaigns group: Carry out research / promote surveys Plan campaigns Deliver campaigns /canvass students

Peer to peer campaigns group: X5 CAtCH Organisers (Coordinate Teams) Dormant now after January exams Will be working on measurable money and mental health campaigns UoNSU Approach: Design and Delivery

“Campaigns Toolkit” and “Campaigns Collaboration Pack” Only if measurable change is to be achieved

Applying Theory in Practice: Campaigns so far...

Week One: Easy Tiger and WLGTGB Long standing Alcohol and Sexual Health “awareness” campaign: Research (Week One Survey 2010, website polls and focus groups) showed that the message was blurred Summer 2011 change to just sexual health Separate alcohol campaign in line with NUS and Drinkaware “Why Let Good Times Go Bad?”. Very specific – water and scones!

Week One: Easy Tiger and WLGTGB Outcomes: More students signing up to C-Card scheme Less students being sent to hospital in Week One with drinking related injuries. From 4.5 per evening to 2 throughout the whole week Our Week One Survey measured the use of the initiatives – wrote up a full review for NUS

Week One: Easy Tiger and WLGTGB More detailed reports are available :

Applying Theory in Practice

Campaigning in the Community Car Parking Permits Article Four Direction and the “Local Plan” City’s local Planning Strategy Last academic year – Article Four went out to consultation. Nearly 4,000 people signed a petition against the measures. Nottingham City Council effectively ignored the 4,000 signatures

Applying Theory in Practice Campaigning in the Community Local Plan outlined plans to encourage the provision of Purpose Built Accommodation (like Halls) in favour of HMOs in areas close to campus. Our research showed that 93% of students wanted the choice of what type of accommodation to live in. Whilst 51% preferred HMOs in the community and 25% preferred purpose built. Location (83%) and Price (81%) most important factors to students when House Hunting. Council’s plans diametrically opposite to students’ wishes.

Applying Theory in Practice Article Four and Local Plan: Background Vote to Council Executive on 22 nd November Widely Felt? Yes – petition and results from aforementioned “How Can We Help?” Survey Deeply Felt? Measured through the number of comments on the petition and the results of the survey Winnable? To stop Article Four? No... To get a seat around the table in the implementation.

Applying Theory in Practice Objective Campaign against Article Four with the ultimate objective of : Gaining access to Council Executive Seats around the table on implementation discussions Targets City Council Other local politicians Local Press

Applying Theory in Practice Article Four and Local Plan: Allies Nottingham Trent Students Union Nottingham Trent University University of Nottingham NUS EMPO (Local Landlords) Local Press

Applying Theory in Practice Activities and Membership Involvement Feeling that students not being considered NCC legislating for stereotypical student No appropriate platform to voice the views Create a video outlining these views Ask Councillors to respond Aim for 1,500 views before the vote goes to Council Executive

Activities and Member Involvement UoNstudentsUnion

Applying Theory in Practice Activities and Membership Involvement

Applying Theory in Practice Organising Plan for Student Groups JCRs Education Network

Applying Theory in Practice Activities Local Media Interest: Had numerous articles in Evening Post Officers appearing on BBC Radio Nottingham Result Response from Councillors Commitment from Local Councillor that Article Four and the Local Plan will not be used to direct students from local areas Over 2,000 views before Article Four went to the vote Article Four Passed (as expected)

Applying Theory in Practice Result Officers having direct access to Leader of the Council Commitment in the coming months to be involved in meetings around criteria and planning concerning students. Awaiting those meetings

Effecting Measurable Change for Students: Putting Theory into Practice Ollie Kasper Questions?