Student ambassadors raise awareness

The new BPS student ambassadors have had a busy year so far, working to promote the society among their fellow students and beyond. A pilot for the volunteer scheme was launched earlier this year to build better links between the BPS, psychology students and universities in the UK. 

Northern Ireland Branch ambassadors Sarah, Japheth and Emma met with the chair of the branch Dr Karen Hagan to discuss future events. Sarah has also written articles to be published in the Open University student magazine about the BPS and British Science Week, while Japheth has been speaking to staff at Ulster University to promote the student ambassador programme, and to raise awareness about the society among psychology students. 

In the North East of England Branch, Nicole has been working with staff members at Sheffield Hallam University to promote BPS membership to undergraduate and master's students. Nicole and Evelyn are also in discussions to present to sixth forms and colleges about BPS membership and accredited Psychology courses. 

BPS Partnership and Careers Liaison Lead Natalie Billing said the student ambassador pilot has already been a valuable initiative. 'Our selected Volunteer Student Ambassadors are making plenty of worthwhile contacts with their fellow psychology students and their university staff, to explain the benefit and value of BPS membership, alongside signposting key careers-related queries to the most suitable place. We have already seen our ambitious volunteers present to their university cohorts, set up a variety of events and activities across campus, and develop their own content to promote the BPS!' 

Billing said the ambassadors' work has raised universities' awareness of both BPS activities and the way in which the society can support students. 'The structure we envisaged for this pilot uses our branches to help support the student ambassadors within their region. For the five branches currently involved, we are working closely with their representatives and have received some brilliant feedback in terms of the resourcefulness of the volunteers themselves, but also through the networking developments between stakeholders involved. We are monitoring the progress of this pilot, with the hope of rolling out a UK-wide programme of volunteer student ambassadors come September of this year – watch this space!'