We believe in equality. Our Equality Representatives are elected students working for fellow students to make sure everyone feels represented at Heriot-Watt.
Women
The Women’s Group is a vibrant discussion, campaign and action forum for women studying at Heriot-Watt . We have regular, informal meetings to share our experiences and discuss how the lives of our women can be improved, both on and off campus.
We also run university wide and national campaigns, host debates and hold social events. The Women’s Group is a great place to make new friends and socialise. Everyone is welcome to join the Women’s Group, regardless of age, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, campaigning experience and even gender. Men are welcome to join the group although will not be able to have a vote in decision makings.
If you wish to join the Woman’s Group, please get in touch with Caitlin Cryer, Women's Officer. You can get involved at any time throughout the year. The agenda is set by you, for you, so come along and get involved!
LBGTQ+ Students
The LGBTQ+ Group is a perfect example of what Heriot-Watt's Student Union does best: a welcoming and fun social network, supporting one another and raising awareness of issues. In the last two years, the group has grown from a few loyal members to a socially and politically active group with many dedicated volunteers and support from across campus.
The group works closely with organisations like NUS, The Equality Network and anti-fascist group Scotland United, attending demonstrations in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The group also run the annual Red Ceilidh, which has raised over £1000 for the National AIDS Trust over the last two years. The group's hosting, raffle and, or course, dancing draw a big crowd outside of LGBQ+.
Last year, LGBT won the ‘Group of the Year’ at the Union Oscars and have also won NUS Scotland's LGBT Society of the Year, recognising all their hard work and achievements.
LGBQ+ Officer - TBC!
Trans Officer - Ollie Calder
International Students
Heriot-Watt has one of the most multicultural and dynamic student populations in the UK, with almost 30% of our students coming from overseas.
If you're coming from abroad, there are always students and staff in the Student Union to help you with any queries you may have. Our Advice Hub is located next to the Student Shop and is filled with wonderful advisors to provide you with all the advice and support you need.
Keep an eye out for events such as Global Day and Diversity Month, ran by the Student Union, for an opportunity to celebrate and share your culture with friends.
International Officer - TBC!
Ethnic Minority Students
The Ethnic Minority group at Heriot-Watt serves as a campaigning body raising awareness and fighting inequality and injustice. It's also a great way to meet new friends. If you're of African, Asian or Caribbean descent we'd love for you to get directly involved, and everyone else's support is welcome.
What it comes down is representation within our universities, Ethnic Minority students form 20% of the UK student population, yet only a small minority participate in activities within their Unions. Whether you are an undergraduate or postgraduate, we encourage you to get involved with your Union. If we want to see change and real action taken about issues concerning Ethnic Minority students, we need to be at the forefront and on those decision tables.
Whether you are interested in socialising, finding out how you can get involved or seeking assistance, get in touch with Nomi Dibidi, BAME (Black and Minortiy Ethnic) Officer.
Postgraduate Students
Our aim is to make the postgraduate experience at Heriot-Watt as enjoyable and rewarding as possible. The Student Union has been working closely with and listening to the views of postgraduates over the past few years. We realise that being a postgraduate student is a very different experience to that of an undergraduate and this experience will again be different depending on whether you are an international or home postgraduate. We aim to offer a service that will reflect this diversity.
Throughout our website, you can find details of how to get involved, where to get support and how we represent postgraduate views and work to make things better. Postgraduate students, especially research students, often comment that postgraduate life can be quite isolated. Don’t let it be! We're here for you!
Postgraduate Officer - TBC!
Disabled Students
The Disabled Students Group at Heriot-Watt fights inequality and injustice while providing a platform for students to share information and give support. ‘Disability’ is a wide ranging term, not limited to the physical or visible, and as such, every student’s experience will differ. By coming together to celebrate such diversity (and having lots of fun along the way), the isolation that disability can often bring will cease to exist. Such a diverse, yet united, group can place great pressure on governing bodies for change and raise awareness throughout the greater student body.
The HW Union Disabled Students group is part of the wider network of Liberation groups within the Equal Opportunities zone. These groups, as identified by NUS Scotland, are the focus of many national and local campaigns, and it is the intention of the Union to provide support wherever possible.
If you're interested in getting involved, please don't hesitate to contact Martyn Dewar, Disabled Students Officer.