Student Committee - call for new members 2023-2024

The Northern Ireland representatives should:

• Liaise with stakeholders (i.e. Northern Ireland branch of the BPS and psychology departments of local universities)
• Promote awareness of the BPS student committee through student event hosting and attending
• Support other members of the committee when events are being organised within their region of responsibility, i.e. Northern Ireland

The Scotland representatives should:

• Liaise with stakeholders (i.e. Scottish branch of the BPS and psychology departments of local universities)
• Promote awareness of the BPS student committee through student event hosting and attending
• Support other members of the committee when events are being organised within their region of responsibility, i.e. Scotland

The Wales representatives should:

• Liaise with stakeholders (i.e. Wales branch of the BPS and psychology departments of local universities)
• Promote awareness of the BPS student committee through student event hosting and attending
• Support other members of the committee when events are being organised within their region of responsibility, i.e. Wales

The Chair elect should:

• Shadow the Chair's actions, meetings, discussions and teleconferences as appropriate
• Take over supportive administration tasks when asked for etc.
• Take over the role of the Chair closer to the end of the academic year where the current Chair is still available for questions/supervision
• To attend meetings if Chair cannot attend

Purpose:

The communications lead is the lynchpin for all communications activities for the Committee. You will draw on the knowledge, expertise and activities of the network to deliver engaging communications to existing members - and help to attract new members too.

As communications lead, you will be the designated BPS communications officer's key point of contact. Supported by them, you will share the Committee's news, views, events and resources across a range of communications channels, from the network microsite and online member communities, to newsletters, social media and the media.

Most importantly, you will be passionate about communicating and promoting the work of the group and your profession, within the BPS and beyond.

Term:

According to Terms of Reference for the Student Committee.

Accountability:

The Communications Lead is accountable to the Society, the Student Committee and the Student members. It is a duty of the Communications Lead to ensure that they are familiar with governing documents, Policies and Guidelines for the Society and Member Networks (mor.bps.org.uk).

Activities

Tasks include:

Work with the designated BPS communications officer to agree an annual communications plan/schedule for the group.

Act as the key point of contact for the Committee for the designated BPS communications officer for all communications activities, including:

• Gathering insights from committee members/members
• Facilitating the approval process for communications materials e.g. e-newsletters, press releases, website stories/copy.
• Identifying spokespeople for expert media enquiries.

Support the production of member network newsletters by:

• Agreeing an e-newsletter frequency and publication schedule with the designated BPS communications officer
• Coordinating and drafting e-newsletter content to send to the designated BPS communications officer by the agreed copy deadline.
• Facilitating the e-newsletter approval process.

Work with the designated BPS communications officer to make sure the groups communications are correctly branded, in line with BPS brand guidelines and style guide.

You will coordinate content for the group's microsite, regularly updating content to make sure it is timely, relevant and engaging for members.

Support the designated BPS communications officer to respond to media enquiries, helping to identify members with the right knowledge and expertise to speak on the groups' behalf on relevant issues.

Proactively share ideas for potential media stories or blogs from within the group.

Engage with members to support new BPS campaigns and initiatives where relevant e.g. providing expert opinion, or case studies for campaign communications and marketing content.

Support the Member Connect online community, sharing ideas and content to support engagement with other members about your groups activities on relevant topics and areas of interest.

Knowledge, skills & experience

• Communication skills
• Be passionate about communicating and promoting the work of your network and profession.
• Have an interest in, or experience of, writing newsletters or creating content for publication.
• Be well connected within your committee and network – you'll know just the person to speak to for an expert opinion on a certain area of practice or issue. If not, you know someone who would!

Relevant Documentation

Documentation is available upon request from the MNS Team.

The Diversity and Inclusion Lead should:

• Translate the Student Committee's commitment to valuing diversity and promoting anti-racism and inclusion into concrete actions
• Draw on the knowledge, expertise and activities of the Committee to deliver engaging communications to existing members - and help to attract new members too

The European Federation of Psychology Students Associations Representative should:

• Liaise between the BPS and the European Federation of Psychology Students Associations (EFPSA)
• Vote on behalf of the BPS in General Assemblies (GAs) and E-Voting's held by EFPSA
• Meet with and attend key EFPSA events (Congress and Joint Executive Board & Member Representatives Meeting) during the mandate (max. 2 per mandate)
• Promote services and events covered by both the BPS and EFPSA to psychology students in the UK

The Events Organisation Officer should:

• Act as a designated point of contact for events and for the BPS Conference and Events Team and the BPS Careers Team
• Work with the BPS on BPS run events where there is an interest or involvement required from student members
• Report to the Student Committee events planned by the BPS where there is benefit or interest to a Student audience
• Draw on the knowledge, expertise and activities of the Committee to deliver engaging events to existing members - and help to attract new members too i.e. Beyond the Lecture Theatre
• Co-ordinate the event activities for the Committee

Purpose:

• To translate the student committees commitment to student mental health through the advocacy and consideration of student wellbeing in the planning of student events, campaigns, and projects.
• To liaise with BPS staff and other committee members to produce content promoting student wellbeing.

Activities:

• Work with a range of BPS staff to crest content and events to support student wellbeing.
• Act as a key point of contact for student mental health queries
• Regular communication with student members via the student community to gain insight into students mental wellbeing struggles and gain inspiration for future content creation
• Draw upon the expertise of current mental health professionals such as those in the Division of Clinical Psychology
• Spread awareness and signpost students to places they can receive mental health support

Knowledge, skills and experience:

• Strong communication skills.
• Understanding of pre-existing mental health support services available to students
• Awareness of a range of mental mental health struggles students may face and demonstrate a commitment in raising awareness of these
• Creativity to produce engaging content to promote mental health awareness and support resources

The Psych-Talk Editor should:

• Oversee the content and quality of  Psych-Talk publications
• Ensure all articles follow BPS ethical guidelines of practice
• Delegate tasks and deadlines to other team members
• Train the incoming Psych-Talk Editor for a year

The Assistant Psych-Talk Editor should:

• To assist with the editing or submitted articles before print according to BPS guidelines
• Assess manuscripts and make recommendations on their publication
• Promote Psych-Talk and encourage students to submit articles

The Psych-Talk Editor should:

• Oversee the content and quality of  Psych-Talk publications
• Ensure all articles follow BPS ethical guidelines of practice
• Delegate tasks and deadlines to other team members

The Student Ambassador Liaison Link should:

• Meet with Lead Student Ambassadors to understand the work which is being completed by Student Ambassadors across all 11 regions
• Reporting back activity of Student Ambassadors to the Student Committee
• Providing feedback to the BPS Careers Team on Student Ambassador activity and flagging any potential issues