Get To Know Your Student Exec

LUU is led by six full-time student Executive Officers (AKA Student Exec) who are elected by you, other students, during the yearly Lead LUU elections. For this academic year – 2025-26 – your Student Exec are: Amara Relf, Eden Morris, Katrina Liu, Lydia Shale, Safiyah Farid and Shivani Gug. Get to know them below!

You can always reach out to the Exec by email or on social media, or find them in their office on the first floor of LUU.

Amara Relf

Union Affairs and Communications Officer

What did/do you study?

Law with Social Justice.

Your secret talent, special interest, or fun fact?

I performed at Glastonbury Festival.

Favourite place on campus?

It’s got to be the Union!

Best thing about Leeds?

It is the arts here! Really cool independent shops that really want to make a difference.

Tip to get the most out of the student experience?

Join a society! I’m sure Lydia is saying the same thing but it’s so true. Building a community is the best part of any uni experience.

Eden Morris

Wellbeing Office

What did/do you study?

Global Creative Industries: it’s basically arts management, cultural policy, and creative enterprise!

Your secret talent, special interest, or fun fact?

I lived in Akureyri, Iceland during COVID— it’s a beautiful place, but I mostly lived on cereal because everything was so expensive.

Favourite place on campus?

The Union Music Library (I think I spent 90% of my time at Uni in here).

Best thing about Leeds?

All the green spaces in and around the city are perfect for clearing your head or having a moment of calm.

Tip to get the most out of the student experience?

Live and breathe the MyCareer website and Joblink! There are so many brilliant opportunities only available to students, you just have to be proactive to find them.

Katrina Liu

International & Postgraduate Officer

InternationalAndPostgraduateOfficer@luu.ac.uk

What did/do you study?

Cultural and Media Studies

Your secret talent, special interest, or fun fact?

I like to pick up wooden sticks in the park, peel them and polish them to make them into hairpins!

Favourite place on campus?

Common ground, the best place to hang out with friends, work, study or just chill. I basically do everything at Common Ground.

Best thing about Leeds?

There are so many amazing gigs!

Tip to get the most out of the student experience?

If you are interested in any opportunities, don’t hesitate, always give it a try.

Lydia Shale

Activities & Opportunities Officer

What did/do you study?

Sports Science and Physiology.

Your secret talent, special interest, or fun fact?

My specialised area of interest is Women’s+ sport development and female health research in sport.

Favourite place on campus?

Common Ground – I love coffee!

Best thing about Leeds?

How diverse it is. There are so many different cultures and people all in one place which means there is always something new to learn or experience.

Tip to get the most out of the student experience?

Join a club or society! You will make friends for life and experiences that you will never forget.

Safiyah Farid

Equality and Liberation Officer

What did/do you study?

English Literature 

Your secret talent, special interest, or fun fact?

David Attenborough has handwritten me a letter!

Favourite place on campus?

1915 Bragg Cafe! It’s the perfect place to lock in- and the complimentary fruit infused water is an added bonus!

Best thing about Leeds?

The small businesses- from Hyde Park Book Club for a cosy drink with good music to Turkish Patisserie with the best selection of sweet treats!

Tip to get the most out of the student experience?

If you are finding it overwhelming or lonely in Freshers, the university offers free counselling and LUU offers a Help and Support Desk. Remember you are not alone!

Shivani Gug

Education Officer

What did/do you study?

Law for undergrad and then a Masters in Political Communication.

Your secret talent, special interest, or fun fact?

I bumped into Louis Tomlinson on a night out in Doncaster over Christmas

Favourite place on campus?

Common ground!

Best thing about Leeds?

The docks!  There are so many cool cafes, restaurants and bookshops around the docks – including Hold Fast bookshop which is basically a local book and plant shop in a boat!

Tip to get the most out of the student experience?

Be open-minded and let yourself feel empowered to grow into a new version of yourself at Leeds. If you want to try a society but don’t have anyone to go with, go anyway and more likely than not you’ll meet someone in the exact same shoes!