Here's some of what I've been working on this year so far...

As BCUSU's Vice President Equity & Inclusion, I have been working on some projects and campaigns that align with my manifesto points which I have been elected on.

Read Pravjoth's profile

Liberation Societies 

To help students better understand and engage with our Protected Societies, I instigated their name change to Liberation Societies.

This change will revitalise the societies and ensure each they are provided with resources to campaign for change across the University, and represent students from diverse groups.  

Liberation Societies create communties, are free to join and are completely funded by your Students' Union. We currently have over 450 members across 11 Liberation Societies, and 10 of the 11 societies have at least one committee member to run the society - a total of 27 committee members!

I'll continue to engage with each society and raise their profile with activities and campaigns throughout the year.

Join a Liberation Society

Black History Month 

A key part of my role is showing representation for key observance days and months. For Black History Month, in October, I organised BCUSU’s Black Student Showcase with VP Opportunities & Community.

As part of the month I also created a collaborative spotify playlist with Afro Caribbean Society (ACS) for students to enjoy and to be streamed on Scratch Radio. I organised Film Nights and worked closely with BCU's EDI team to support and promote their events like Black Business Markets with Careers + and their BHM Conference.

Disability History Month

A passion project for me was hosting BCUSU's first Disabled Students Conference, a whole day of talks, workshops and a Careers Fair from key support services for disabled students. Guests on the day included: BCU's Disabilty Support Team and Mental Health and Wellbeing Team, Disabled Students UK, BCUSU Neurodiverse Society and more. 

For the month, I also wrote an article about my personal experiences and how disabled students can seek support at uni.

Read full article

Mental Health campaign

• Currently conducting a survey about the effectiveness of mental health support at BCU and to discover ways to improve student awareness of mental health support

• Supported the Mental Health and Wellbeing Team and the Mental Health Society in planning World Mental Health Day, and Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month

• Working with Mental Health Society, Aston Students' Union, UCB Guild and UoB Guild to organise a collaborative Mental Health Awareness Month in May

Sustainability Awareness Campaign

• As Chair of BCUSU's Environment Committee, I lead on ways to promote the work of BCU's Environmental Team and any positive contribution we can make to our Green Impact. By working with and supporting Sustainability Society I'm able to drive our sustainable agenda forward and make impactful change

• We've collected feedback from students about their awareness of sustainability and considering ways students can get involved with sustainability initiatives

For BCU sustainability info

Sexual Harassment campaign

• Following increased concerns about sexual misconduct across campus your VP Student Voice, Ashween, and I are working to implement a sexual harassment policy for students at BCU

• Currently working with the Assistant Director of Student Services to outline and implement clear procedures and processes for reporting and supporting students who have been sexually harassed

• Working with Women’s Society to deliver student workshops about sexual harassment and consent, as well as planning a Reclaim the Night March during Women’s History Month

Other projects

• Gender Neutral Toilets - organising student wide research on gender neutral toilets to push the BCU Estates & Facilities team to come up with an action plan to accommodate all student groups

• Care Leavers - Working alongside the Student Support Team to have clarity around the care leaver package

• Cost of Living - alongside BCUSU President VP Student Voice, Jay and Ashween, we are working with BCU catering and accommodation to help students during the cost-of-living crisis, with an initiative of providing free breakfast to students

• Multi-Faith Space and Friday Prayer - working alongside the Pro Vice Chancellor of Learning and Teaching to find possible solutions for the Friday Prayer Space provisions

• Race Equality Charter - working with the EDI team to carry out student focus groups on racism and discrimination, providing valuable student insight for the charter

• Awareness months - celebrated South Asian Heritage Month, collaborating with BCU EDI Team on a student and staff conference. I have also attended and supported cultural events like Diwali / Bandi Chhor Diwas and more.