Co-President Democracy and Education

Dear all,

My name is Sam, a graduate of the BA Chinese course and your Co-President for Democracy and Education for the 2025–26 Academic Year.

The SOAS of today looks very different from when I first arrived in 2021. We have seen sweeping structural changes: the merger of departments, the creation of the three new Colleges, and revisions to programmes. We have witnessed physical changes with the repurposing of spaces across campus. Furthermore, we have, of course, felt a clear shift in the campus atmosphere with the introduction of new Protest Guidelines and an increasing crackdown on student activism.

Throughout all these changes, one thing has remained constant: the student voice has too often been sidelined, neglected, and ignored.

I was elected on a manifesto to rebuild student democracy at SOAS and to defend what lies at the heart of its identity. This is the year to reorient the conversation, move away from decisions based on numbers or profits, but rather refocus on the student vision of what our university could and should be. Together, we will put the student voice back at the forefront where it belongs.

I will work to revitalise the Student Representative network, represent students effectively on committees, and fight for our unique programmes and academic offerings. But this cannot be done alone; it must be a collective effort. I invite you to join me and the other sabbatical officers in the mission of making SOAS a better place for its students. My door is always open: I am here to hear your ideas, your concerns, and to support you to the fullest extent of my abilities.

Let us, together, continue building a stronger, more democratic SOAS, for ourselves and all the SOAS students that come after us.