<div class="fr-view"><p><strong><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">Over the past few months, a small group of students have been working behind the scenes to launch a new Open SU student society focused on Politics, International Relations, and Policy (PIPS). It’s been a rewarding process, full of learning, collaboration, and a fair bit of admin. ;</span> ;</strong></p>
<p lang="EN-GB"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">The idea came from Ryan Donachie, who just started at the OU last February studying International Relations. As he started his degree. Ryan saw a space for a society that combined Politics, International Relations, and other policy-based degrees such as Development, Economics, and ;</span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-GB">Geography &; Environmental</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB"> ;studies.  ;</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">He ;felt students would like to come together to discuss current events, share ideas, and hear from people working in policy and politics.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"> ;</span></p>
<p lang="EN-GB"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">In my role as <a href="https://www.oustudents.com/student-leadership-team/faculty-association-representative-arts-ss/">Faculty Representative for Arts and Social Sciences</a>, I’m able to connect with both students and staff across the university.  ;At our last Welcome Week FASS Connect in February, Ryan raised the idea of having such a society. Adrienne Scullion (Executive Dean of FASS) and Matt Staples (Now Head of School, Social Sciences &; Global Studies) were incredibly receptive, and the enthusiasm from students was clear. Working closely with the Open SU team and FASS leadership, I’ve been able to offer guidance and support as we shape the society’s direction. It’s been a privilege to help bridge the gap between students and the structures that support them, and I hope the Society becomes a lasting space where that connection continues to grow.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"> ;</span></p>
<p lang="EN-GB"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">Setting up the society has taken time. We had to find a core group of students that could help us draft a constitution, outline our aims, and work on establishing the basic foundations of the society. We now have a ;</span><a href="https://oupips.org.uk/"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">website ;</span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">and social media accounts. It’s not been an easy process, but we are in the final stages of having our inaugural meeting to formally establish the society. ;</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> ;</span></p>
<p lang="EN-GB"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">We’re ;genuinely excited about what this society can become. ;There’s ;so much potential, ;from hosting in-person speaker events and roundtable discussions to launching a student-led academic journal. ;We’re ;exploring the idea of a podcast, organising book talks with authors, ;career development ;sessions, and ;even planning trips to Parliament and ;policy institutions. Whether ;you&#8217;re ;interested in writing, debating, organising, or just listening and learning, there will be something for you. ;We want to have a wide breadth of students from schools and faculties across the OU. PIPS will be a place to all those who have a keen interest in these areas.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"> ;</span></p>
<p lang="EN-GB"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">And what makes this even more special is the kind of students we have at the Open University. ;We’re ;not all in the same lecture hall or campus café, ;we’re ;learning from ;different places, at ;different times, often balancing study with work, family, and other commitments. That makes us active seekers of knowledge, driven by curiosity and purpose. The PIPS Society is designed to reflect that: flexible, inclusive, and open to anyone who wants to engage, wherever they are.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"> ;</span></p>
<p lang="EN-GB"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">We’re kicking things off with a ;</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">Welcome Event ;on 30 September at 6:30pm ;hosted by PIPS, featuring ;Matt Staples</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">, Head of the School of Social Sciences and Global Studies (SSGS), and ;</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">Dr Edward ;Wastnidge</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">, Head of Politics and International Studies. This is a brilliant opportunity to hear directly from them and hear a discussion on studying and researching in today’s political climate. You can find more details and register here: ;</span><a href="https://www.oustudents.com/ents/event/2021/"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">Welcome Event.</span></a><span data-ccp-props="{"> ;</span></p>
<p lang="EN-GB"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">Following that, you are warmly invited to the ;</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">Inaugural Meeting of the Politics, International Relations, and Policy Society</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">, taking place online on:</span><span data-ccp-props="{"> ;</span></p>
<p lang="EN-GB"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB"><img class="emoji" src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/svg/1f5d3.svg" alt="ð"> ;</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">Sunday, 19 October</span><span data-ccp-props="{"> ;</span></p>
<p lang="EN-GB"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB"> ;<img class="emoji" src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/svg/1f554.svg" alt="ð"> ;</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">5:00 PM – 8:00 PM</span><span data-ccp-props="{"> ;</span></p>
<p lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/f504f683-fbc0-4fcd-ae25-3a1e3ad42a24@0e2ed455-96af-4100-bed3-a8e5fd981685"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">Please sign up here</span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">. ;</span><span data-ccp-props="{"> ;</span></p>
<p lang="EN-GB"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">This is a key moment in shaping the future of our society. During the meeting, we will:</span><span data-ccp-props="{"> ;</span></p>
<ul>
<li data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="ï·" data-list-defn-props="{" data-listid="1">
<p lang="EN-GB"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">Finalise our consultation and vision</span><span data-ccp-props="{"> ;</span></p>
</li>
<li data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="ï·" data-list-defn-props="{" data-listid="1">
<p lang="EN-GB"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">Establish the society’s structure</span><span data-ccp-props="{"> ;</span></p>
</li>
<li data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="ï·" data-list-defn-props="{" data-listid="1">
<p lang="EN-GB"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">Vote for our officers and committee members</span><span data-ccp-props="{"> ;</span></p>
</li>
<li data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="ï·" data-list-defn-props="{" data-listid="1">
<p lang="EN-GB"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">Ask the Open SU to formally accept us as a society</span><span data-ccp-props="{"> ;</span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p lang="EN-GB"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB">Whether ;you&#8217;re ;passionate about global affairs, policymaking, or political theory, this is your chance to get involved from the very beginning and help build a vibrant, inclusive community. ;Starting something new ;isn’t ;always easy, but ;it’s ;worth it. ;We’re ;excited to see where this goes, and ;we hope ;you’ll ;be part of it.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"> ;</span></p>
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