Accountability Report December 2025

Accountability, what is it? 

Your elected full-time-officers are accountable to you! 

Across the full-time-officer's term we hold accountability panels. At the panels student leaders present their reports based on a specific theme. They will then hear updates, review their progress, and answer questions raised by the panel. Offering constructive feedback and a fresh perspective helps officers stay effective and focused on what matters most to you.

The next Accountability Panel will be tomorrow, 17 Dec with the theme being  “Reflections on what I have achieved so far and what I am working towards.” 

Want to ask a question? 

Ahead of panels we offer the chance for you to submit your own anonymous questions to the full-time-officers. 

If you’d like to do that, you can do so here: Full-Time-Officer Accountability Questions – Fill in form 

Please submit your question by 10am tomorrow, Wednesday the 17th December. 

Now let's have a look at the reports our FTOs will be presenting.

Cameron - President  

Access the full report HERE.

What does your President do? 

The President represents students at the highest levels of the University and nationally, leads major campaigns, and works to improve students’ everyday lives. This includes lobbying for safer campuses, fairer housing, cost-of-living support, and stronger student democracy, while ensuring student voices influence key decisions. 

What I have been working on:

• Safer campuses and consent education, including progress towards fully mandatory consent training 

• Student housing rights and affordability, locally and nationally through the Housing (Scotland) Bill 

• Strengthening student democracy and campaigns, including launching Student Executive and supporting student-led activism 

• Cost-of-living support and education rights, securing hardship funding and delivering the Know Your Rights project 

Biggest Challenge? 

Managing multiple large-scale projects at once, particularly during the sudden acceleration of the national Housing Bill timeline. 

Proudest achievement 

Securing major national housing reforms through the Housing (Scotland) Bill, delivering some of the strongest tenant protections in Scottish history and significantly improving long-term outcomes for students. 

Holly - Vice-President Academic 

Access the full report HERE.

What does your VP Academic do? 

The VPA represents students on the education matters, ensuring their voices shape and influence learning, teaching & policy. The role works closely with the University to improve feedback, quality processes and student experience, whilst supporting academic reps to make departmental change, and leading on specific academic projects.  

What I have been working on 

• Progressing on key manifesto points to ensure these are moving on accordingly (Lecture Recordings, GenAI Workshops & Action Feedback Protocol use), which will result in key academic experience improvements.  

• Strengthening student voice, through SSLCs, surveys & introducing new engagement events e.g., Have Your Say.  

• Building key partnerships with University staff to influence changes on manifest points highlighted above.  

• Supporting Department Officers with their own goal-setting and leadership development.  

Biggest Challenge? 

Introducing new initiatives e.g., Department Officer Goal-Setting, to ensure there is no miscommunication, whilst balancing student & staff expectations.  

Proudest achievement 

Securing extended opening hours for our Galashiels students, after consulting with both students and negotiating with staff.  

Lil - Vice-President Student Communities

Access the full report HERE.

What does your VP Student Communities do? 

The Vice President Student Communities is responsible for both developing, shaping and creating means for new communities to arise at Heriot-Watt. They’re responsible for Societies and chairing the Society Council Meetings and bringing the concerns or queries of the council to relevant committees and the student exec. Moreover, they have an additional focus on Sustainability (often working in conjunction with the University’s Sustainability Team), they aid in producing Volunteer and Continued Professional Development Opportunities for students and they’re responsible for coordinating non-profit events and initiatives. 

What I have been working on 

• Safer Communities & Anti-Racism Campaigning: Leading an Antiracism Campaign; creating safe spaces for Heriot-Watt students on campus; introducing mandatory race training for student leaders and staff; supporting students at protests; and improving policy and reporting systems (Report & Support). 

• Quiet Communities & Belonging: As part of a project I call “Lil' things for the Community” I am working on building student-designed “third spaces”; delivering low-pressure community initiatives (community library, pen pals, poster campaign, community garden, beach cleans, clothes swaps); celebrating student achievements in partnership with the University; and expanding alternative communication channels to help students connect in ways that suit them best. 

• Environmentalism, Sustainability & Conservation: Attending regular Sustainability Forum meetings; running the Community Conservation Collective to connect learners with hands-on opportunities; and developing a cross-institution student exchange programme focused on Continued Professional Development (CPD), networking, skill building, and creating community. 

Biggest Challenge? 

This far, finding balance has been my biggest challenge because balancing complex equality work with the wider demands of representing and improving the student experience is work that can mean spreading oneself very thin. Therefore, finding that balance is essential to success. 

Proudest achievement 

I’m proud of creating community-building spaces like the community bookshelf and the poster/arts campaign, which students are already embracing with book club ideas, doodles, and shared artwork.