James Sheard

My name is James Sheard and I am the President of the PGSA this year. I am from Bedfordshire in the heart of the South East Midlands. I earned both my undergraduate and Masters degree at the University of Nottingham in the Politics and International Relations.

As president my main job is to represent postgraduate students' interests around the University. I sit on committees such as University Senate, Student Union Council, and the Postgraduate Strategic Committee and I attend regular meetings with the Dean of the Graduate School . All of these are a very important way of ensuring that the voices of postgraduate students get heard, and that our views are taken into account by the University and the Student Union. Postgraduates form a unique and large community within the University, but that community doesn't have a high profile and this can result in us being overlooked. It's the PGSA's job to make sure that doesn't happen, and it's my job to ensure that we achieve this as a Committee.

To represent you successfully please let me know what you think, and what matters to you!

Email: pgsa@nottingham.ac.uk / James Sheard

James Phillips

Hi! I'm James, and I'll be working as the Vice President of the PGSA this year. I expect it'll be a lot of hard work, but is something I'm really looking forward to! As Vice President, I'll have quite a varied role supporting the president, but I particularly want to work on heightening member awareness of what we can do, and on making sure that the university remembers that postgrads are here all year round and that facilities are still needed after the undergrads leave.

I'm currently studying an PGDip in Serbian/Croatian, which will in lead me onto a PhD in Russian and Serbian History. I've already been here for six years, so by the time I finish, I'll be well and truly part of the furniture.

Aside from my studies, a fair range of interests – society wise, I've been involved in the Committee of the Graduate Christian Fellowship for the last year or so, and I'm also involved with READ International (formerly the Tanzania Book Project), and Amnesty International. I also play bass in a jazz band, and paint watercolours.

If there's anything about the PGSA you want to know, or anything you want us to know, feel free to drop me a line

Email ahxjpp1@nottingham.ac.uk

Email: James Phillips

Michael Foster

Michael is the General Secretary on the PGSA this year. His role is to be in charge of running PGSA committee meetings, ensuring the integrity of the PGSA constitution and making sure the rest of the committee behave themselves.

Shahid Akbar

Hi I'm Shahid, and I'm the elected Treasurer of the PGSA. I have overall responsibility for managing the PGSA's finances and I make sure that our spending doesn't exceed our precious little budget. Also as a member of the PGSA committee I will do everything I can to help improve postgrad life at Nottingham .

Email: Shahid Akbar

Beth Timney

Hi everyone

I'm Beth, the PGSA's dedicated Welfare Officer, and I am here to help you in every way I can with any issues and problems that may arise whilst you are studying at Nottingham .

My role as Welfare Officer is extremely varied and involves running weekly drop-in sessions; dealing with more personal or delicate issues on a one-to-one basis; sitting on the Students' Union Welfare Committee; organising discussion groups; and of course, listening to postgraduates' problems and offering them guidance and support where I can.

As I am sure you are aware, the postgraduate experience is very different to that of an undergraduate, and this is why it is so important that you have someone here to solely represent your needs. Whatever your concerns, be it accommodation, study, relationships, loneliness, or something else entirely, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Remember, if you are having problems of any kind, need advice, or even just someone to listen, I am here to support you and to guide you in the direction of further services that can help. Please also contact me if you have any suggestions for activities, or groups that you would like to see set up, and which you feel would benefit the welfare of the postgraduate community.

There are a number of ways to get in touch with welfare this year if you ever have any problems…

Email: Beth Timney

Essam Eliwa

Essam is this year's Communications Officer. His job is to produce much of our publicity, update the website and produce our monthly newsletter. You should get in touch with him about any queries about PGSA communications.

 Email Essam Eliwa

Jane

Hi, I'm Jane, one of the 3 Social Sectaries for 2007/2008; my main responsibility is to organize social events together with Juliet and Maggie. The social including day trips, afternoon events and the thrilling balls and parties. We are here to make your life in uni to be more fun, colorful and unforgettable. Our mind is open to all of your ideas, email us and tell us what you want from us, from uni!!

Email:Jane

Juliet Hassard

Hi! I'm Juliet Hassard and I'm one of your PGSA Social Secretaries for this year. As Social Secretary it is my job to organise a wide variety of social events for postgrad students; to meet varied schedules, budgets, and interests. PGSA events are a great way to meet lots of people, build friendships and to make the most of your university experience! It is really important to me to organise events that cater to the whole postgrad community.
Just to let you know a little about myself. I am from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I moved to Nottingham two years ago to do a Masters here in occupational health psychology. I am currently doing a PhD in applied psychology. Please let me know so if you any ideas for events or outings that you would like to see!

Email: Juliet Hassard

Magdelene Mbanefo

Hi, I am Magdalene (most people call me Maggie) and I am one of the social secretaries this academic year. I ran for this position because I genuinely love organising and hosting events. As social, secretary, my primary aim is to help you have a great time alongside studying for your degree. Do let me know if there are any events you would like to see on the PGSA calender.

Email: Magdelene Mbanefo

Emily Bennett

I'm Emily and I'm one of the PGSA's Sports Secs. My aim this year is to get even more of you involved in postgrad sports, whether that's through team and individual sports, one-day events, or tournaments. After all, taking part in PGSA sports and activities are great ways to meet your fellow postgrads, improve your fitness and relieve stress. Alongside our regular sports teams, we hope to offer you the chance to try something new, such as salsa, rock climbing, adventure activities, and many more. We'll also be organising regular sports team socials, hopefully to celebrate showing those undergrads just how it's done!

I am currently studying for a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, although my first degree was in English and Sport Science. I also completed my PGCE and have worked as a PE teacher for several years. Having been involved in the PGSA for the past few years, I am well aware of the important a role it plays in building the postgrad community, and as a member of this year's committee, I will work to ensure that you all to have the best possible experience of University life.

In my spare time, I take part in a variety of sports. I'm a particularly keen netballer and I play for a Nottingham team, as well as running the PGSA netball club. I also love travelling, and somehow seem to spend most of my money on it!

Email: Emily Bennett

Richard Crossley

Hi there, my names Richard Crossley most people call me Croka I'm not really sure why? I'm one of your PGSA sports secretaries and it's my duty to organise sporting events and get you all playing for our PGSA teams so come along and get stuck in. I'd really like to know which sports you're interested in to be able create teams, tournaments and fun sporting activities to suite everyone.

Email:  Richard Crossley

Hamish Stewart

Hi, I'm Hamish and my role is to ensure that postgraduate students have their interests represented in the area of education and careers. The second part of my role is to act as a bridge between the National Postgraduate Committee (NPC) and the PGSA. If you have any questions about the NPC and education, or are interested in representing your fellow students, then feel free to email me at pcxhs1@nottingham.ac.uk

I'm currently studying for a PhD in Chemistry, having already completed the four year degree at Nottingham . I thoroughly eliminate all free time through involvement in downright silly amounts of Students' Union activity and local political activism.

Email: Hamish Stewart

Sharlene Chichgar

Hi, my name is Sharlene and I'm this year's International Officer at the PGSA, I am in my 4 th year this university,studying renewable energy and Architecture after completing my undergraduate degree in Environmental Engineering. I and have been part of various societies, cultural and charity events. Studying at this university has been one of the most rewarding years of my life, and I intend on providing a supporting framework for the international postgraduates at the PGSA and facilitating international involvement in student activities at Nottingham University

I will aspire to communicate with International Students and represent their outlook and concerns to the PGSA and the University, organise events and socials for international postgraduates to promote cultural integration. An important part of my role is to provide a link between the PGSA, international office and the international students bureau.

I intend to maintain an effective mode of communication between the student body and the PGSA. academic developments such as more administrative facilities and also non-academic endeavors, such as social events including formal meetings,cultural events and trips, to facilitate the internationalisation of home students and international students.

I have the previous experience in being a student representative at school and university level.My key role is to ensure that your views and outlooks are represented to the University effectively and resolved quickly. And, most Importantly help students Benefit from the culturally diverse and rich learning environment of the university.

I hope you all have a great year and good luck with your studies!

Sharlene Chichgar

(International Officer)

Email: Sharlene Chichgar

Chilombe Simwami

Chilo is this years representative for Jubilee Campus. His job is to represent the views of those based both academically and residentially on the Campus.

Email: Chilombe Simwami

Cheryl Mak

Hello, as the Sutton Bonington Representative it is my job to represent the view of the SB massive.  Sutton Bonington, or SB as it know by its students, is 10 miles south of Nottingham and actually nearer to Loughborough.  Isolation is a key problem felt by many postgraduate students, so being 10 miles away from the main action does not help.  My main aim, therefore, is to ensure that the views of the postgraduate students at SB are represented and that we are integrated into the postgraduate community.
Please email me if you have any suggestions or problems

Email: Cheryl Mak