Maheera Choudhury is currently pursuing a Master’s in Media Campaigning and Social Change at the University of Westminster. With a background in Sociology and Criminology, she is passionate about social justice and advocating for underrepresented communities. Growing up in a predominantly white town as part of a working-class, Muslim, immigrant family, Maheera has experienced firsthand the challenges of racism and Islamophobia. These experiences have shaped her dedication to creating more inclusive environments, particularly within higher education.

Maheera has also worked as a Youth Mentor and SEND Teaching Assistant, where she developed a deep appreciation for the transformative power of education and the importance of tailored support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. These roles reinforced her commitment to inclusion and breaking down barriers to success.

Her undergraduate dissertation, which explored the experiences of racially minoritised university students, focused on how racism and microaggressions impact their academic and personal goals. This research has further fuelled her passion for fostering an inclusive university environment, where all students feel empowered and supported to succeed.

Maheera is driven by a commitment to creating positive change, ensuring that all students have the opportunities and support they need to thrive.

I am a first-generation university student in my family, embarking on the exciting journey of pursuing an undergraduate degree in biomedical science. As I navigate this transformative chapter of my life, I am eager to connect with my peers through the university’s collaborative platform, with the goal of sharing innovative ideas and collectively making a meaningful impact.

Growing up in an army family has had a significant influence on my values and habits. The disciplined environment in which I was raised instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility and dedication. I often reflect on the unique dynamics of my upbringing, particularly during the times when one of my parents was away for extended deployments. Those periods of absence presented challenges that taught me resilience and independence, while also deepening my appreciation for the small, cherished moments we share as a family.

The sacrifices my family made have deeply influenced me. Each deployment brought emotional farewells and strengthened our bond. These experiences instilled in me gratitude for the stability and love I’ve received. Now, I’m inspired by how much a student can achieve with support from dedicated staff and a like-minded community. Together, we can enhance our university experience and positively impact the world.

I am a doctoral researcher in the School of Architecture + Cities at the University of Westminster. I am interested in how materials, climate, plants and other non-human ecologies affect and co-produce cities in the Global South.

Before my doctoral studies, I was an adjunct lecturer and practising architect in Turkey, where I was committed to designing public spaces and buildings in environmentally responsible ways. I have been a research intern on the “Pedagogies for Social Justice” project since January 2024 and have been learning more about decolonisation in higher education context.

Esra Tahir is a Biomedical Science student at the University of Westminster, with a focus on neuroscience and mental health. She is a Research Assistant for the Social Pedagogies for Social Justice (PSJ) Project and serves as the Social Media Manager for the Brain’s Matters Society. Esra has presented her work at the International Higher Education Teaching & Learning Conference, and her current research includes a final year project on stem cell research. She is passionate about decolonisation and social justice.

Yumeng Yang now is a MPhil student in Sociology at the University of Westminster. Yumeng’s research is at the intersections of media studies, gender studies and Chinese studies. She is particularly interested in the study of queer expression on Chinese social media platforms. In 2023, she participated in the Chinese National College Student Entrepreneurship Project. This experience allowed her to collaborate with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds, deepening her appreciation for teamwork and the value of multicultural perspectives and student insights in enhancing projects. As a Student Ambassador, she recognizes the unique opportunity to bridge the gap between students, faculty, and the wider community in University of Westminster. Yumeng Yang aims to promote cross-cultural exchange by engaging with students from various nationalities and academic disciplines and advocate for student voices in shaping a more accessible and welcoming academic environment. Meanwhile, she is also keen on developing a deeper intercultural understanding, which complements her academic pursuits in sociology and enhances her personal growth. By serving as a Student Ambassador, she hopes to inspire others to embrace diversity and work collectively towards a more inclusive university experience for all.

Rifa Ferzana is currently in her final year, pursuing a BEng (Hons) in Software Engineering at the University of Westminster in London. She is highly passionate about women’s empowerment. During her tenure as the Women Students’ Community Organiser at the University of Westminster Students’ Union, Rifa had the privilege of immersing herself in the critical topics of decolonising women’s empowerment and sociology. This experience served as a platform to showcase her unwavering dedication and commitment to addressing social issues. In 2022, Rifa further expanded her responsibilities by taking on the role of Student Partnership Ambassador and also assuming the leadership of the Google Developer Student Club at the University of Westminster. Additionally, she serves as a Student Panel Advisor (Validation), underlining her dedication to promoting social justice and women’s empowerment within her academic community. recognition of her commitment to positive change, Rifa made contributions to the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) reading list, emphasizing her dedication to advancing global sustainability through education and
collaboration.

Sophie is currently in her final year, pursuing a BA in Marketing Communications at the University of Westminster. Her Lebanese and Irish background has fuelled her passion for
social justice. Sophie champions humanitarian work in her home country, Lebanon, lending a
hand to communities grappling with the ongoing economic crisis. As the President of the
Lebanese Society, Sophie has led charity events after being inspired by seeing communities
rise from the ashes of conflict, their spirit unbroken, rebuilding hope. Additionally, Sophie was a co-founder of the Lebanese, female-founded society. This is one of the ways in which she reflects her passion for women’s empowerment, contributing towards the fight for gender equality

Godfred is in his 1^st year of biomedical science at the University of Westminster. He became a student ambassador because he wanted to ensure that changes are properly implemented when students raise their voices or give feedback to any modules within their course that they are not pleased with. Making sure that changes were implemented was something he enjoyed doing during Sixth form and was very excited and keen on continuing the same work at the University of Westminster. Being a student ambassador has given Godfred the amazing opportunity to learn from different cultures and experience the diverse student environment that is unique to the University of Westminster and by continuing to be a student ambassador, he hopes to learn and experience more cultures to broaden his understanding about different ethnicities and cultures. 

Nour is a second-year student pursuing an Architecture and Environmental Design BSc undergraduate course at the University of Westminster in London. She became a Student Partnership Ambassador to widen her learning experience at Westminster beyond the scope of her course. Coming from a school that did not have much diversity to a university like Westminster with a student body of 20 000 students from 165 countries is a huge change. Therefore, she is genuinely curious and wants to learn and unlearn with student partnership. She strives to help the student partnership project dismantle the hierarchical relationships in the learning environment, tackle social injustices, and embrace diversity. She aims to find creative and innovative ways to learn and collaborate in the university environment as an SP Ambassador. This way, students can feel more included and gain the skills they need to build a better life for themselves. Student partnership is a complex and slow process, but when people collaborate with a shared desire for positive change, great things can happen.