Let's Talk Liberation
Next week we will host a number of focus groups to find out how we can better support students from liberation groups – which includes women, disabled students, LGBT+ students and people of colour
We recognise that these student groups can have different experiences at University. This can mean not having the same access to opportunities or facing daily discrimination. Overcoming these barriers for these groups is often referred to as "liberation". Liberation is important to us because discrimination against students’ identities can affect their participation, achievement, retention and progression in education. These groups of students are traditionally underrepresented and therefore their voices, and the issues that matter to them, are not heard.
We want to better understand what issues face these groups, and find out what the Guild could be doing to offer more support.
Yasmin Gasimova, Vice President at Liverpool Guild, said “Since being elected I have been working hard to make sure all students have the best experience. Unfortunately some students experience additional barriers and discrimination.
“For example, while I sincerely congratulate the candidates who got elected as Student Officers last week, it was disappointing to see that there were no women elected. Despite half of the candidates running being women, we elected the first all-male officer team in 35 years. This has raised lots of questions around women’s representation, but also around how we ensure all liberation groups feel represented and supported by their students’ union.
“I want the Guild to look at different models of representation but also other campaigns, events and activities we could invest in. I want to make sure that whatever system we use is sustainable and meets the needs of students at the University. While it is good to draw from best practice elsewhere, I want to know exactly what our students feel we need before committing to models that may not work for us.’’
Focus groups are taking place next week. Feedback from the sessions will be collected and developed into action plans which your Student Officers will use to help shape our future work.
Please click on the one(s) you would like to attend below. You must self-define as part of that group to attend.
Women’s Focus Group- 27th March 12pm-1.30pm
LGBT+ Student Focus Group- 27th March 5pm-6.30pm
Disabled Student Focus Group- 28th March 12pm-1.30pm
POC (People of Colour) Student Focus Group- 29th March 1pm-2.30pm
All sessions will be held in the Gilmour room, which is opposite our reception area. Pizza and refreshments will be provided.
