Arts Student Forum
In 2021, the Faculty of Arts launched the Arts Student Forum with the inaugural meetings taking place in 2022. The Forum is a formal platform for regular, on-going conversations between students and Faculty staff. The aim of the Forum is to ensure students at all levels of study have input in the Faculty’s priorities and initiatives relating to their academic experience. It will be a way for students to raise matters directly with Faculty leaders, including the Dean, Associate Deans and Heads of School. It will also be an opportunity for students to take on a leadership role and gain insight into how decisions are made at an executive level. The Forum is co-chaired by a student member of the Forum and Professor Kate MacNeill, Associate Dean Education and Students.
Terms of Reference:
- Ensure student input into the development of Faculty priorities and initiatives relating to the student academic experience
- Provide student insight into existing strategies designed to enhance student academic experience
- Inform Faculty leadership about matters raised by students with respect to their academic experience within and across programs and disciplines
- Enable a feedback mechanism to students to demonstrate how their input has shaped academic practices within the Faculty.
How to participate
Apply to be on the Arts Student Forum
Use the form below to apply to be a forum member. Applications close at 11.59pm Sunday the 12th March 2023.
Interested in becoming a Student Co-chair? Check out the PD.
Submit an agenda item
Use the form below to provide feedback or submit an agenda item that you would like to be addressed by the Forum.
Previous student input
In 2021, students provided feedback on the proposed Arts Student Forum, helping to shape and establish its aims, structure and processes. Read the collated feedback below:
Arts Student Forum Feedback 2021
Contact the Forum
You are welcome to contact the Forum organisers any time at arts-studentprograms@unimelb.edu.au.
Forum Members
The 2022 Arts Student Forum is currently made up of 27 student members, representing all levels of study in the Faculty of Arts. Please meet some of them below.
Fessoom Moynihan (Student Chair)
I am currently studying a Master of Social Policy and have previously completed my undergraduate studies majoring in Psychology and Criminology at Melbourne University. I have worked hard to be where I am today and recognise the privileges I now have. With this in mind, I accept the responsibility of shaping safe & inclusive spaces, both in dialogue and practice, in the classroom and in the community. A core interest of mine focuses on finding transformative solutions that can reform the engrained biases and barriers that constrain everyday practice, particularly at the intersection between the education and justice systems. This passion stems from my personal experiences in life, academic thought and having worked alongside many young people and families who are seeking access to essential opportunities that many of us take for granted. I am excited by the potential that the Arts Student Forum has to become a platform to integrate student voices into decision-making processes and to create meaningful dialogue with faculty members. As a member and as Co-chair, my commitment is to listen with heart and move towards strategies that support equity and quality in student learning experiences.
Aurora Carli
Interested in representing the interests and concerns of arts students to cultivate a platform of communication where the intentions of staff and the experiences of students can be mediated fairly and diplomatically. I'm a first year major in English & Theatre Studies and Creative Writing.
Yihui (Jenny) Guan
I am a third-year BA student, double majoring in Politics and International Politics & Criminology, and minoring in Law and Justice. I am a Melbourne Peer Mentor and part-time VCE Tutor.
Edmund Hampson
I'm a second year Sociology and first year Literature double major from Brisbane living with friends and working while I study. My no. 1 winter TBR is The White Album by Joan Didion.
Emma Heley
Emma (they/she) is studying Honours in Sociology this year and seeks to understand how approaches to empirical methodology shape how Queer identities are understood within academic literature. They would like to see a more Queer inclusive approach to classroom teaching at University through student forum discussions.
Shuyun "Sharon" Jin
I'm a student in the Master of Global Media Communication and also work as a nurse in Melbourne. My passion is to improve my peers' academic experiences and make learning enjoyable.
Helena Lee
I am an international student (Taiwanese), mid-year intake, majoring in Psychology and Screen and Cultural Studies.
Selina Li
I'm a third year Bachelor of Arts student majoring in Philosophy and Politics. I'm passionate about advocating for my peers and bringing forth new ideas to make the Bachelor of Arts a better experience for present and future students.
Rachael McDonald
Rachael is in her final year of a Bachelor of Arts (Politics/Indigenous Studies) with a concurrent Diploma in Languages (French). She believes that student input is paramount to the creation of an arts degree that is inclusive, rigorous and enjoyable for everyone.
Himika Sikri
I am an international student from New Delhi, India, currently studying a Master degree in Marketing Communications. When I am not busy with University assignments, you can find me attending dance classes, learning a new language or exploring new recipes to cook.
Alexander Tran
Alexander has completed his bachelor's and master's degrees at The University of Melbourne and has just commenced his PhD. He is eager to give back to the university and to contribute to the Arts Student Forum in whatever capacity he can.
Petrina Yuen
Petrina is a Masters in Development Studies student, passionate about gendered issues, sustainability and intersectionality.