Anna-Ruth Cockerham

Director of Wellbeing & Equality at @StAndrewsUnion and @StA_Maths_Stats student in hiatus | Enquires: [email protected]

(she/they)

[Anna-Ruth Cockerham @StADoWell]

We’re aware of an increase in spikings nationally and want to reassure you of the steps we are taking to make sure everyone can have a safe night out.

[Anna-Ruth Cockerham @StADoWell]

And that's me almost done (1 grad ceremony to go!). I'll be back in St Andrews as Student Trustee next year, but in the mean time catch me and my many thoughts at @annarcockerham

And good luck Emma!

[Anna-Ruth Cockerham @StADoWell]

Alright folks I'm on my way out so here's my parting thoughts for those that come after:
1. Look after yourself and have fun, there's a lot of crap out there to deal with but there's also a lot to enjoy.

[Anna-Ruth Cockerham @StADoWell]

3. Tell people what you're advocating for! Bla bla bla the obvious about accountability and transparency, but also it's amazing to see other passionate students engage in your work and to see people proud of their SU.

[UCU St Andrews @ucustandrews]

Are you a PGR or PhD student who's fed up with low pay levels, especially given rising costs of living? Add your name to this letter to UKRI - https://t.co/8cLaaxYNaG

[Anna-Ruth Cockerham @StADoWell]

@ sally catch u on the stage next year

[Anna-Ruth Cockerham @StADoWell]

Congratulations to Lottie, Avery, and Bella who graduated today!

@StAPresident @StADoSDA @StADoES @standrewsunion

📸: @univofstandrews

[Jim Dickinson @jim_dickinson]

I think where I am on the free speech bill is at the point where I'm profoundly worried about the "chilling effect".

[Anna-Ruth Cockerham @StADoWell]

Throwback to the spate of racial hate incidents, where I was having hours of meetings about sending one email to students regarding support and reporting options.

Months later and that email was never sent. But our BAME staff and students aren't under threat, free speech is 🙄

[Anna-Ruth Cockerham @StADoWell]

Having worked on multiple charter submissions, I've never seen them challenge academic freedom or speech in any way.

In fact, given I've seen such wet institutional approaches to tackling hate crimes, nvm speech, I don't believe most HEIs can even be arsed to come anywhere close

[Jim Dickinson @jim_dickinson]

Wow. Big culture wars shot fired at universities over EDI schemes and EDI posts, days after Wales made the REC a condition of future funding!

[Anna-Ruth Cockerham @StADoWell]

Literally all gov. action like this has changed is that unis are now running from making any kind of commitment to support minority staff and students, lest they come under attack down the line.

This has done nothing for speech. But it's making unis a hostile environment.

[Tali Atvars @TaliAtvars]

As we reach that period of the year here is a reminder that it really doesn’t cost a lot for university comms teams to put out at least one social media post recognising the hard work of their outgoing sabbatical officers.

[Anna-Ruth Cockerham @StADoWell]

Casual reminder that even at their young age student officers can be (and often are) highly achieved people, maybe even experts in their field. That is, indeed, why HEIs end up hiring so many of us.

[Anna-Ruth Cockerham @StADoWell]

Everyone's like "students as partners" until they have to actually treat students like they're meant to be in the room as opposed to just pontificating at them.

[Anna-Ruth Cockerham @StADoWell]

@DanMarshall98 Have been testing the waters in my other meetings but something tells me Student Services is much more chill than the senior academic governing body

[Anna-Ruth Cockerham @StADoWell]

do you think I can take my knitting to academic senate

[St Andrews Students' Association @standrewsunion]

This year our Annual Report covers the rollercoaster of a year it has been – navigating Covid restrictions, experimenting with new events, working to improve representation, mental health and engagement.
Pick up a copy from reception or read it here: https://t.co/4kHcA2svcD

[Anna-Ruth Cockerham @StADoWell]

@jim_dickinson Maybe that's a good thing. I'd hate the idea they would make something accessible for me but not for every other disabled student, but it is really bizarre that working 1-1 with a visibly disabled student all year doesn't make you think about it.

[Anna-Ruth Cockerham @StADoWell]

@jim_dickinson Hate to be a pessimist but as a mobility-disabled sabb, it's not my experience that (even with all my interaction with Senior Management) the existence of a disabled sabb has any effect on how the Uni organises its events, etc. even where we're invited.

[Anna-Ruth Cockerham @StADoWell]

Institutions often forget that disabled students don't just go to class and go home. They want to graduate with everyone else! Go to a society event! Hang out at a bar!

Accessibility of HE shouldn't stop at teaching - it is about the full student experience.

[Anna-Ruth Cockerham @StADoWell]

Disabled students deserve to graduate just like any other, and it is disappointing to see how infrequently accessibility of student life outside of the classroom is actually considered.

[Ru 🌸♿️ (she/they) 🎀 @RollWithRu]

after spending a year pouring my heart and soul into an institution that can’t even be bothered to make my own graduation accessible, i can honestly say i’ve never been so disappointed

@UniofExeter Disabled students deserve better. access is a basic human right.