Jenny Lantair

For PostGraduate Research (PGR) Member of Parliament

Hi! I’m Jenny and I’m standing as your next PGR Member of Parliament. I’m a first-year PhD student in EPS and a first-year student at Heriot Watt.

I have attended four other universities before Heriot Watt and I have seen how an inclusive environment benefits undergraduates, postgraduates and staff alike. In general Heriot Watt has been a wonderful, welcoming place, though I have noticed that for Postgraduate students there are three main issues which I hope to address:

Firstly, unfortunately many PGR students face issues during their studies whether interpersonal clashes during working hours or work life balance issues. I want to help support these students. I will be doing this through improved awareness and support from the approved mentoring scheme as well as ensuring issues are raised in parliament. Every person has a right to a safe and enjoyable experience at Heriot Watt.

Secondly, I will be looking to reduce isolation amongst postgraduates by holding and encouraging schools to hold more whole department events. BBQ in the summer with your whole school? Regular pizza sessions for everyone in your department? Welcome events which include all students, not segregated into PGR and UG.

Finally, PGR students have nowhere specific to study in the whole university since the Postgraduate centre has been turned into a learning commons area. I would like to rectify this and find a central location for PGR students to study and collaborate on projects together.

I believe I can make a positive difference to PGR students (and hopefully UG students as well), so vote for me as your next PGR member of parliament.