What inspired you to run for Education?
Education reform and policy has always interested me, As someone who has been really active in campaigning and lobbying for changes to our education system since secondary school this role really interested me! Also as someone who was a Class Rep in 1st year and saw how the class rep election and system needs to be fixed, I wanted to be the person to deliver on it.
How long have you been thinking about running ?
Since First Year on University I when I got active in the students union from being a Class Rep.
Have you been involved in the student union or student politics before ?
Yes, I was the Education Officer of the Irish Second-Level Students Union [The National Union for Secondary School Students) from 2013-2014, here I worked on Education lobbying and policy and worked with the USI. I was then elected as the Deputy President of the Irish Second-Level Students Union from 2014-2015, here I worked on campaigning and communications with the members. I also served as Deputy Chairperson of MSU Union Council from 2015-2016.
If elected what positive differences would you make to the Student Union and Student body ?
I would hold regular town halls and meetings with students so I will always be aware of the academic issues students have and can respond to those issues. I will also bring my lobbying and campaigning experience to fight for the students in any dealing with the University. My promise to make the Class Rep system more effective will also benefit students and the students union as a whole, as we need a strong class rep system to have a strong union.
You are running a very unique campaign, eg different picture for each poster with a manifesto point on it ?
Yes, I am running a campaign based on policy, not gags. My posters reflect that, I want students to know what my vision for the SU is, and for them to judge me based on my manifesto and what I will do for them.
In previous years it has been final year student that run for Sabbatical positions, the main argument that first, second years, wouldn’t be taken seriously due to experience. Being a second year student, how has/is your campaign breaking down they perceived idea?
I think I’m in the unique position where I can say I do have experience in being on a Students Union Executive as an Education Officer before, and I’ve been active in National and European student and youth campaigns. As for a 2nd year not taking it seriously, I think just by putting my name forward and fighting this election with a solid manifesto is proof enough that a 2nd year can take this seriously, after all we are all students.
In your manifesto you mention the idea of online voting, this would indeed be helpful however,
First how would you make this happen?
Many other SU’s across the country already use Online Voting, I would propose that the MSU Executive go visit other SUs like DCU or UCD as see how they implemented their online voting system and get advice from them. This isn’t a new technology and this can be implemented with ease as others have done.
Secondly, how would you make sure that there is no way to have this type of system abused?
Online Voting would require a login from a student with a student number and password, and each student will only be able to vote once. No other system has even been abused or hacked, so their should be no fear of it happening here. Unlike the current paper ballot system which has lead to 2nd and 3rd year students voting in 1st year Senate elections and Arts students voting in Social Science Convener elections.