Student Networks

Student networks are a way for marginalised groups to meet with each other, discuss issues that need to be raised through democratic structures at Keele SU, and run student-led campaigns on topics that are important to students.

Students can be involved with the networks as much as they like. You could do something as simple as attending network socials or become one of your network's leads.

We have seven Student Networks for this academic year. Find out more below.

The role of Network Lead is voluntary and can count towards your volunteering hours. You can choose how many hours you want to contribute.

There is no limit on how many leads each network can have. This allows the workload to be shared effectively across the network.

As a Network Lead, you will meet with other students, run campaigns and events on behalf of the network, work with other Network Leads and network administrators, and provide feedback on issues raised by members to your Union Assembly Delegates.

Applications to become a Network Lead for the 2026/27 academic year are now open.

Being a Co-Chair is voluntary, counts towards your volunteering hours, and is open to any member of the network.

• Sharing a role is built in

  Any role that the network fills itself can be held jointly by two people. You do not need to give a reason or ask for an exception. Job-shares are the default, not a favour.

• More than one way in

  Most roles are elected, but they can also be filled by appointment, by co-option between elections, or by someone who has contributed to the network's work over a term and is brought onto the committee.

• You do not have to be in the room

  Meetings are minuted as standard and decisions can be taken between meetings, so you can take a full part without being in one place at one time.

  Meetings are recorded only if everyone present agrees, and we do not publish who attends.

As a Co-Chair, you will meet with the rest of your Co-Chair team, run campaigns and events on behalf of the network, work with other networks and Student Voice on plans for the year, and take the issues raised by members into Union Assembly.

Each network is led by a flat team of Co-Chairs. There is no single Chair and no hierarchy. Three Co-Chairs of equal standing share the work of holding the network together.

• Co-Chair (Communications)

  This role is for someone whose strength is making the network visible rather than running meetings.

  You will run or support the network's communication channels, promote events and campaigns, keep language accessible, and make sure members know what is happening and how to take part.

  During a typical few weeks, you might post about upcoming activities, share how an event or campaign went, and keep the network visible to members between activities.

  How you take it on: Appointed or co-opted. This role can be shared between two people.

• Co-Chair (Union Delegate)

  The role through which members' issues enter the Union's democratic decision-making.

  You will lead the network's campaigns and sit at Union Assembly as your network's delegate. This means that issues raised by members can enter the Union's decision-making directly.

  During a typical few weeks, you might gather the issues members are raising, shape them into a campaign or proposal for Union Assembly, and follow them through. You will also work closely with the officer team.

  How you take it on: This is the one role that the network does not fill itself. You hold it by being elected as your network's Union Delegate in the Union's elections .

  Usually, one person holds the seat. Where the Bye-Laws give a network more than one Delegate seat, each Delegate is a Co-Chair of equal standing.

• Co-Chair

  No specialism is required.

  You will be a full member of the leadership team with no fixed brief. You will share the work of holding the network together and take on whatever the network most needs capacity for during that term.

  By default, this role also looks after the network's money. This includes monitoring the budget, keeping simple records, and making sure spending on events and campaigns is approved correctly.

  No finance background is required. Responsibility for the network's money can move to another Co-Chair if your capacity changes.

  During a typical few weeks, you might meet with your fellow Co-Chairs, complete agreed pieces of work, and check in with network members.

  How you take it on: Appointed or co-opted. This role can be shared between two people.

Use the search box to find a Student Network.

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