My name is Jess Poyner and I’m the new Universities Coordinator for CAAT Universities Network!
I’ve just graduated from Architecture and Urban Planning at Newcastle University where I was active in various campaigns and projects from Fossil Free to Black Lives Matter.
It’s a great time to get involved in running CAAT campaigns on campus. Students and staff across the country are putting enormous pressure on Universities to commit to becoming ethical, radical spaces for learning.
A wide range of campaign tactics have been used over the past year to educate students about the realities of the arms trade and lobby Universities to end support of the arms companies through projects, recruitment fairs and investment.
Campaigners in Edinburgh kept up the pressure and in April this year Edinburgh University fully divested from arms companies – we know that taking action on campus is a powerful tool for change.
I’m really excited to support you in your campaigns on campus and roll out some fantastic workshop, training and speaker opportunities across the country. I’m particularly keen on broadening our links with like-minded groups and making clear the connections between our Universities, the arms industry and human rights globally. Whether you’re a campaigning newbie or pro there will be opportunities to make new contacts and gain new skills to support you in your campaigning.
I’ll be in contact soon with info about campaigning in 2016/2017 and over the next month I’ll be making sure that our resources are refreshed and ready for use in time for your freshers fairs.
You can contact me at any point for a chat/brainstorming/resource request via email: jess(at)caat*org*uk
Looking forward to working with you!
