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Leadership Elections

The Leadership Election is your chance to have your voice heard and choose the students who will lead the way on your behalf. As a member of the Union you have a say in how we’re run, what we do, and who represents you.

NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

APPLY TODAY

Nominations close on the 27th of Feburary. See The Timeline

AN OVERVIEW OF THE ROLES

President

Serves as the primary representative of the student body to the university, external organisations, and other stakeholders.
Provides strategic leadership for the Union, ensuring all activities align with its vision, mission, and values.
Chairs the Union’s Trustee Board.
Acts as the Student Governor on the University Board of Governors and relevant sub-committees.
Leads the officer team, fostering collaboration, providing guidance, and ensuring their work aligns with Union priorities.
Ensures the voices of all students are effectively heard and represented in Union decision-making processes.
Represents students on university committees and at external events where student interests are discussed.
Ensure that the voices of all students within their remits are effectively heard, represented, and acted upon in Union decisions.
Collaborate to address campus-specific and Union-wide issues.
Support and champion local democratic structures, ensuring all students have a voice in shaping their Union and university experience.
Promote the Union’s values and strategies through their work, ensuring their initiatives align with the organisation’s mission.
Actively engage with students, creating opportunities for feedback, consultation, and participation in Union activities.

Education Officer

Represents the academic interests of students across all ARU campuses.
Leads the academic representation system, supporting student reps to effectively advocate for their peers.
Works with academic departments to address issues related to teaching, learning, and assessment.
Ensures student academic concerns are effectively heard and acted upon within Union decision-making processes.
Represents students on university academic committees and advocates for their educational needs.
Ensures the voices of all students are effectively heard and represented in Union decision-making processes.
Represents students on university committees and at external events where student interests are discussed.
Ensure that the voices of all students within their remits are effectively heard, represented, and acted upon in Union decisions.
Collaborate to address campus-specific and Union-wide issues.
Support and champion local democratic structures, ensuring all students have a voice in shaping their Union and university experience.
Promote the Union’s values and strategies through their work, ensuring their initiatives align with the organisation’s mission.
Actively engage with students, creating opportunities for feedback, consultation, and participation in Union activities.

Welfare and Liberation Officer

Focuses on the welfare and well-being of all students, particularly those from liberation groups.
Leads campaigns on issues such as mental health, equality, and safety.
Works with university services to ensure students have access to appropriate support.
Advocates for the voices of marginalised student groups in Union decision-making processes.
Represents students in welfare-related university committees and working groups.
Ensures the voices of all students are effectively heard and represented in Union decision-making processes.
Represents students on university committees and at external events where student interests are discussed.
Ensure that the voices of all students within their remits are effectively heard, represented, and acted upon in Union decisions.
Collaborate to address campus-specific and Union-wide issues.
Support and champion local democratic structures, ensuring all students have a voice in shaping their Union and university experience.
Promote the Union’s values and strategies through their work, ensuring their initiatives align with the organisation’s mission.
Actively engage with students, creating opportunities for feedback, consultation, and participation in Union activities.

Chelmsford Officer

Serve as the recognised formal representative voice for students on the Chelmsford campus.
Advocate for campus-specific issues in Union decision-making and ensure they are addressed effectively.
Act as a key link between the Union and the Chelmsford student body.
Work closely with Portfolio Officers to ensure campus-specific needs are reflected in Union-wide initiatives and strategies.
Facilitate opportunities for students at their campuses to engage with the Union and its activities.
Ensures the voices of all students are effectively heard and represented in Union decision-making processes.
Represents students on university committees and at external events where student interests are discussed.
Ensure that the voices of all students within their remits are effectively heard, represented, and acted upon in Union decisions.
Collaborate to address campus-specific and Union-wide issues.
Support and champion local democratic structures, ensuring all students have a voice in shaping their Union and university experience.
Promote the Union’s values and strategies through their work, ensuring their initiatives align with the organisation’s mission.
Actively engage with students, creating opportunities for feedback, consultation, and participation in Union activities.

Cambridge Officer

Serve as the recognised formal representative voice for students on the Cambridge campus.
Advocate for campus-specific issues in Union decision-making and ensure they are addressed effectively.
Act as a key link between the Union and the Cambridge student body.
Work closely with Portfolio Officers to ensure campus-specific needs are reflected in Union-wide initiatives and strategies.
Facilitate opportunities for students at their campuses to engage with the Union and its activities.
Ensures the voices of all students are effectively heard and represented in Union decision-making processes.
Represents students on university committees and at external events where student interests are discussed.
Ensure that the voices of all students within their remits are effectively heard, represented, and acted upon in Union decisions.
Collaborate to address campus-specific and Union-wide issues.
Support and champion local democratic structures, ensuring all students have a voice in shaping their Union and university experience.
Promote the Union’s values and strategies through their work, ensuring their initiatives align with the organisation’s mission.
Actively engage with students, creating opportunities for feedback, consultation, and participation in Union activities.

Writtle Officer (Part Time)

Serve as the recognised formal representative voice for students on the Writtle campus.
Advocate for campus-specific issues in Union decision-making and ensure they are addressed effectively.
Act as a key link between the Union and the Writtle student body.
Work closely with Portfolio Officers to ensure campus-specific needs are reflected in Union-wide initiatives and strategies.
Facilitate opportunities for students at their campuses to engage with the Union and its activities.
Ensures the voices of all students are effectively heard and represented in Union decision-making processes.
Represents students on university committees and at external events where student interests are discussed.
Ensure that the voices of all students within their remits are effectively heard, represented, and acted upon in Union decisions.
Collaborate to address campus-specific and Union-wide issues.
Support and champion local democratic structures, ensuring all students have a voice in shaping their Union and university experience.
Promote the Union’s values and strategies through their work, ensuring their initiatives align with the organisation’s mission.
Actively engage with students, creating opportunities for feedback, consultation, and participation in Union activities.

OUR ELECTIONS TIMELINE

Nominations Open

12th January 2026 @ 9:00am

This is the time to get your nomination in! If you would like to run you’ll need to submit a nomination, a manifesto, a photo, and an eligibility form.

Nominations Period

12th January 2026-27th February 2026

If you would like to run in the Leadership Election during this time you will need to ensure you complete your application, attend a 1:1, and attend training.

Nominations Close

27th February 2026 @ 12:00pm

Ensure you have completed your application by this point; you will be notified if you are officially a candidate – keep an eye on your student emails!

Voting Opens

5th March 2026 @ 9:00am

Voting is open across all campuses online! Cast your votes and have your say in who leads your Union! Candidates will be out campaigning, so make sure you talk to them to find out who they are and what they want to bring to your Union.

Voting Closes

11th March 2026 @ 2:00pm

Voting closes automatically at 2pm. Ensure you have cast your votes by this point.

Results Announced

12th March 2026

The results of the election will be announced online – further details TBC.

Join the Mailing List

Want to stay up to date with everything election related? Click below and join the mailing list!

Running for a position?

Check out all our useful resources and information in the Candidates Hub

Candidates Hub

Recommend a Friend

Know someone that'd make a great candidate? Annoymously recommend them below. This does not count as a nomination or vote.

Recommend a Friend

Complaints Form

Not happy with something in this election? Fill out our complaints form below

Make a Complaint Click here to view the Election Rules.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What dates will I be in my role if I win?

ARE THE ROLES PAID?

Will I be a Trustee?

Can I stand as an International Student?

Can I stand as a Postgraduate Student?

Can I run in a slate/as a group?

I’m in my final year, can I be an officer?

Where will I work?

Who can vote?

I have another question…

I have a complaint…

CONTACT US

Still have some burning questions that need answering? Want some clarification on certain details surrounding the elections? Contact us below!

Send us an Email

Demi Smith

Democracy Coordinator

Mike Hill

Deputy Returning Officer