Francis Steptoe

I'm a physics student with a strong passion for outreach, activism, and giving students as much agency over their academic experience as possible! Everyone who comes here to study has their own goals, but as a student body education unites us! Studying with Dyspraxia, I faced many barriers in my degree. I believe education is driven by authentic, personable learning experiences that have a strong culture of welfare and accessibility at all levels. And that is what I want to see in Exeter.

Over the last year I have advocated for more accessibility, more accountability and more opportunity for students to actively influence university life. I fought against cuts to PTA hours this year and continue to support students in Politics or any other department who want to work on solutions together with their faculty. Through my work as Education Officer this year, and my experience as a Department Officer before that, I've stood my ground where it matters most to students.

Education means something different to every student - that's why we need more voices that aren't just being heard, but are collaborators in improving the quality of our learning and ensuring each and every student gets the support they need to learn in their own way. In the current education environment, there is little room for error- this MUST change. We need more chances to engage with your department on academic issues, and we need feedback to be transparent, both in the Uni and the Guild.