The #SheShouldRun campaign aims to encourage women to nominate themselves for an elected officer position.
The campaign was launched in 2019, and we are proud to have made great strides in encouraging women to stand for a position in the Keele SU elections. In 2018, 59% of Keele Students were women, but only 33% of Keele SU candidates were women. In 2020, 59% of the Keele Student Population were Women, and 50% of KeeleSU Elections Candidates were Women. However, we know there is still work to do for particular positions where women are less likely to run. In particular, women are less likely to nominate themselves for the Activities and Community Officer position and the Union Development and Democracy Officer position. This is where we are now focusing our efforts.
Research shows that women need to be asked more than once before they seriously consider nominating themselves in an election. We're asking our students to ask a woman to run. Tell a woman why you think she would be a good elected officer. The job of an elected officer is challenging, but also incredibly rewarding and there is no other job quite like it. You are a student, an elected representative, an SU staff member, a member of the board of trustees and have line management responsibilities for the Chief Executive position. You also have enormous scope to make the job your own, focussing on the areas of student life that interest you the most.
We want women to feel empowered by this challenge. Running in an election can feel intimidating, but you will be supported throughout the process and it can be beneficial to your personal development to step out of your comfort zone and take on this opportunity to make a change.
If you know a woman who you think would make a great elected officer, recommend her below. We will contact her to tell her that someone thinks she would make a great elected officer and why. It is then her choice whether she nominates herself or not.
To find out more about elected officer positions, here is a full list of available elected officer positions (full-time & part-time). If you have any questions please contact su.voice@keele.ac.uk with any queries.
Student Name
Course (If Known)
Which role would they be great at?
Why would they be great?