☀️ Get to Know Them ☀️: Kara Ashurst
Get to know Kara, your new Insitute Officer!
Role & Ambition
- What motivated you to run for this role in the student union?
I've been at the university for the past five years—studying my undergraduate degree, serving as UCSU activities officer, and currently working on an MA. I have grown passionate about the University of Cumbria's community and want to help everyone have the best student experience possible.
2. What do you hope to achieve during your time in office? Are there any specific projects or issues you’re passionate about?
As this is a newly elected position, I want to explore and develop the key areas of focus for an Institute Officer. One of my main priorities will be the introduction of new Institute forums, ensuring students can make the most of these feedback opportunities.
3. What do you think will be the biggest challenge in your role, and how are you preparing to tackle it?
One of the biggest challenges for the role of Institute Officer is reaching our diverse student community. The institutes across UOC serve a wide variety of students with different needs. However, I believe working together as an officer team will expand our impact and increase our visibility.
4. How do you plan to engage with students and ensure their voices are heard?
In my role, I will be as student-facing as possible by being available both in person and online, traveling to multiple campuses, and always being a friendly, approachable face.
5. What does being part of the student union mean to you personally?
Being part of the Students' Union means joining a fantastic team dedicated to enriching your student experience—from UCSU student-led groups and fun activities to academic representation.
Background & Experience
6. What did you study (or are currently studying), and how has that shaped your approach to student representation?
As a UOC photography graduate and current MA Creative Practice student, I bring a practical, solution-focused approach combined with creative thinking to tackle challenges
7. Have you had any previous leadership or volunteer experience before taking on this role?
Having served as UCSU Activities Officer and Chair of the Board for 2023–2024, I bring a good understanding of university structures and procedures that will allow me to help students effectively from day one.
8. What’s one lesson or skill from your studies or past experiences that you think will help you most in this role?
During my MA studies, I have carefully pre-planned my workload to complete high-quality work within time constraints. I will apply this structured approach to efficiently manage my time in this role.
Personal & Fun
9. What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
I absolutely love wildlife, so any chance I get, I'm out with my camera. I'm usually found wandering around trying to identify plants, animals, and fungi.
10. What’s your go-to way to unwind after a busy day?
After a busy day, I like to relax by taking my border collie for a walk through my local woodland.
11. Do you have a favourite spot on campus (or in the city/town) and why?
My favourite spot on campus has to be the photography studios. I can spend hours creating still life sets and making them look perfect with lighting effects.
12. If you could have dinner with any historical or public figure, who would it be and why?
It would have to be David Attenborough, to hear from someone with as much knowledge about the natural world would be amazing.
13. What’s a song, film, or book that inspires you or you always come back to?
The book that inspires me most is "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer—it reminds me of nature's wonders and humanity's place within it.
14. How would your friends describe you in three words?
Outdoorsy, funny, determined.
15. What's one goal—personal or professional—you’d like to achieve by the end of the academic year?
To produce a body of work for my MA showcase that I'm proud of.
