1. Student-led advocacy in the postgraduate student space: How NUPSA represents students at UON & future directions
James Pinkerton
PhD Candidate/President NUPSA

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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