Equalities Network Co-Chairs
Equalities Network Co-Chairs are an important part of the community experience at the university. They work in partnership with the Students’ Union (SU) and the University to ensure that the student community experience is the best that it can be.
- They are appointed every October, via a panel comprising of one Students’ Union staff member, and two students.
- The time commitment is around 1-2 hours per week on average.
- The term for Equalities Network Co-Chairs is November 2026 to July 2027.
Their key areas of responsibility include:
- Ensure the formation of a dedicated online student network to build community for students, utilising tools such as the SU Website, Microsoft Teams and WhatsApp to promote connection.
- Set goals in partnership with students in your community and work towards their delivery.
- Attend and represent the interests of students you represent at the Student Community Council and Student Executive meetings.
- Engage with Widening Participation and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion staff and student roles to make positive change.
- Work within and represent the Students’ Union both as an individual and as part of a wider team.
- Travel as required to other University of Law campuses, or external meetings and conferences. (All travel costs to campuses other than that at which the postholder studies will be reimbursed.)
There are many benefits for applying for the role too!
The Equalities Network Co-Chair role is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and communication, teamwork, organisational and project management skills as well as developing professionalism, knowledge and social awareness. The role is intended to fit around the postholder(s) studies and hours of work are flexible to enable prioritisation of the postholder(s) studies.
- The chance to be awarded a £100 honorarium payment each term, subject to submitting a report detailing activities associated with the role.
- Skills development – particularly in communication, organisational, negotiation, and public speaking – all very transferable to the workplace.
- A FREE CPD accredited Negotiation Skills course with The Negotiation Club, paid for by the SU.
- Access to Rep-only prize draws to win vouchers.
- The chance to win SU Representative of the Month, or SU Representative of the Year prizes.
- A University of Law Students’ Union hoodie with your role on, plus a badge.
- Access to a range of opportunities not offered to other students.
- Priority access to events and opportunities run by the Students’ Union.
What roles are available?
Two Co-Chair Roles are available for each of the following Networks, and you must be a current student within that area to be eligible to apply:
- Racial Equality and Cultural Heritage Students’ Network (REACH): Students who identify as belonging to a minoritised ethnicity.
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer+ Students’ Network (LBTQ+): Students who identify as LGBTQ+.
- Women Students: Students who identify as a woman.
- Mature Students: Usually a student who is over 21 at the beginning of their undergraduate studies, or over 25 at the beginning of their postgraduate studies. Mature students may have experienced a break in their education before beginning their studies.
- Students with Disabilities: Students that identify as disabled.
- Religion and Belief Network: Students who value and respect freedom of religion and belief, with a desire to provide equal and neutral representation for students with different religions or beliefs.
- International Students Network: Students who join ULaw from outside of the UK, or travel from the UK to study elsewhere, whether online or at a physical campus.
Training
- You will be invited to attend training at the Birmingham campus, on Saturday 31st October. Travel expenses will be paid.
- The training is essential – if you cannot attend, you must arrange a time to complete online training.
- You will also be provided with ongoing support in your role from the Student Voice Coordinator, SU Co-President (Community) and the wider SU staff team.
How to apply
As part of the application we ask the following questions:
- Why have you applied for this role and what skills you would bring to this position? Please use examples of any existing experience, skills, knowledge and behaviours listed the 'Who should apply' section on the job description in your answer. Please deliver your answer as a video, up to 2 minutes, delivered to camera. We ask this to get a sense of you as a person and how you 'come across' in person.
- Please give us an example of how you have worked with others to achieve success and deliver an event.
- One of ULaw Students’ Union Strategic Plan objectives is to ‘make change’. Using this role, how would you go about making a positive change for fellow students in your community?
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a short interview between Tuesday 13th and Saturday 24th October.
If you have any further questions, please email Gary.Knight@law.ac.uk.
