Hello my name is Samuel Shelton, a third year BA Photography student at Cambridge School of Art.  I am currently the Student Representative for the photography department, and am eager to continue and build on the critical work I have already begun by carrying this over into the Vice President (ALSS) role.

As a current Student Representative and the Chairman for the Lux-Aura photography collective, student voice has always been at the forefront of my work. Something that I have personally addressed through the facilitation of bi-weekly meetings with my peers to feedback and listen to the students, ensuring that their voices are heard and problems can be resolved as quickly as possible.

Additionally, I am passionate about making a difference in the student experience and strive to be an avid promoter for mental health and wellbeing, something that is not only reflected in my work with people but also strongly featured throughout my creative work. In order to best serve this role, I have already completed a Mental Health First Aid course providing me with the skills to be able to assess and assist those who are suffering with mental illness. These skills allow me to confidently support those in need, to provide them with the information and help they require. If I am successful in the campaign for this role I aim to work with both the Student Union and the wellbeing team to create additional opportunities and events to raise awareness and help those in need.

Further work that I feel will assist me in the Vice President role is my work as the Research Assistant for Kerstin Hacker, Course Leader of the BA and MA Photography Courses. For this role I worked closely with Kerstin on one of her photography research projects; whereby I hand organised, selected, and printed the best photographs from thousands of negatives before scanning and preparing them for portfolio and exhibition printing. Further work I have performed during my time at ARU was my volunteering role as the Photographer’s Assistant to graduate MA photographer Loren McCarthy. During this role I assisted Loren with the preparation and framing of work prior to the collaborative Photomasters Exhibition, at the Truman Brewery London (2016). An additional role that I feel will assist me is my work as the Student Ambassador for the BA Photography course. During my time in this role I greeted potential students and provided a tour of the Cambridge campus to try and create a clear and fair glimpse into university life here at Anglia Ruskin.

I feel that all of the work and roles that I have taken on during my time here at Anglia Ruskin has lead me to developing a strong set of skills that have allowed me to open lines of communication between both the staff and students of ALSS, something that I feel is key to the success of the Student Union and something that I aim to continue to build on and utilise if I am successful in the campaign for Vice President role.

Thank you for reading my manifesto, if you liked what you read then please vote for me as the Vice President (Arts, Law, and Social Sciences).