2026 Committee Elections
Are you interested in joining the leadership committee for the largest global network for Student Engagement?
Three roles available for self-nomination
We are delighted to open the call for self-nominations to join the RAISE Committee as one of the positions, listed below. The elections will take place throughout the week of our annual conference at Northumbria University in the city of Newcastle, 9th – 10th September 2026
The RAISE Committee is responsible for the management and oversight of all RAISE activities including the annual conference, Special Interest Groups, reading groups, and collaborating with other sector organisations to advance student engagement.
The Committee normally meets at least four times per year. Successful applicants will be expected to attend the next four committee meetings (dates TBC but will likely take place during November, January (in-person), April, and July) as well as our next annual conference at the beginning of September 2027.
Meetings will predominantly be held over MS Teams, but at least two meetings a year will be held in person usually in January and at the AGM during the annual conference in September. RAISE will cover the travel expenses and conference fees for student committee members.
Applicants should be aware that the RAISE Committee and positions operate on a voluntary basis, and successful applicants will be expected to commit approximately 100 hours a year. All positions listed below are subject to term limits. Please see the information for the role for the specific term limit for that position.
The RAISE Committee would benefit from a diversity of backgrounds, both in person and in the profession. We particularly welcome nominations from those from Black, Asian, and other ethnic minority backgrounds as they are currently under-represented on the committee.
Please download a PDF version of the election roles and process here.
AVAILABLE ROLES- 2026
Vice Chair
3 Year Term
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Deputising in the absence of the Chair in all duties.
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Responsible for marketing, and branding of RAISE.
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Oversight of the RAISE activities and website in collaboration with the Chair.
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Coordinating RAISE publications (other than the Journal).
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Member of RAISE Finance Sub-committee.
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Supporting the Chair with external relationships with other tertiary education bodies.
Buddy Scheme Co-ordinator
3 Year Term
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Responsible for coordination of the RAISE Buddies Scheme including recruitment, pairing, and enrichment activities/ events.
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Key contact for all RAISE Buddies for queries and issues relating to the scheme.
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Responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of the scheme.
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Responsible for creating, and coordinating, communications sent to Buddies.
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Responsible for evaluating the scheme.
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Interact and collaborate with other committee members where relevant, and signpost Buddies to other relevant RAISE activities.
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Delivering a report on Buddies activities to the AGM.
Professional and Learning Services Staff Committee Member
2 Year Term
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Contributes to the Committee by advising and assisting the Officers in the execution of their responsibilities.
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Responsible for professional and learning services specific engagement strategies, events and initiatives ran by the RAISE network.
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Lead facilitator of professional service staff events at the RAISE Conference and other events throughout the RAISE Calendar.
Eligibility to nominate
The above vacancies are open to any member of the RAISE network who is currently a staff member, associated practitioner, or student in the Higher Education Sector, national and international, who is working and/or interested in researching and promoting student engagement.
Anyone who is signed up to the RAISE Jiscmail is considered a member of RAISE.
You are able to apply for more one than position, however, you will need to complete the form separately for each application and will only be able to undertake one of the roles, should you get elected.
Nomination Process
Self Nominations are open from the 8th June 2026.
Self-nomination form
Key Dates
Queries
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Mon 8th June - call for self-nominations to go live
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Fri 10th July - 1 week reminder for self-nominations
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Fri 17th July - Deadline for self-nominations
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Fri 31st July - Announcement of candidates on RAISE website
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9th – 10th Sept (9am) - Election open until end of the conference.
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Friday 18th Sept (10am) - Election sub-committee meeting
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w/c 21st September - Verify election results and announce online/Jiscmail
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All queries or complaints regarding the election should be addressed to the Returning Officers and sent to admin@raise-network.com, and will be addressed within two working days.
Key Information about the Election Process
If candidates meet the above criteria and wish to submit a self-nomination, they must complete and submit the online nomination form by midnight on Friday 17th July.
The nominees and their statements will be published on the RAISE website ahead of the RAISE conference.
A secure online election will take place throughout the week of the RAISE conference 8am Monday 7th September until 5pm Friday 11th September 2026. Only consenting delegates attending the conference will be eligible to vote, and will receive a unique, secure voting link, via email.
Votes will be submitted and counted online using the ‘Choice Voting’ software to ensure voting is secure. Results will be published online after the conference subject to verification by the Returning Officers.
All elections will include the default candidate ‘Re-open for Nomination’ (RON).
The election will be overseen by the Student Committee Member, Students' Union Representative, and the Professional and Learning Services Representative, who are acting as Returning Officers.
Self-nominating candidates are encouraged to attend the AGM, which is held during the RAISE conference on Friday 5th September. It is not compulsory for candidates to attend the AGM if they have other commitments. If candidates or RAISE members wish to attend the AGM but are unable to attend the rest of the conference, please email admin@raise-network.com