Olivia Miles - Occupational Therapy Department President

I am excited to run as OT Department President for the upcoming academic year.

I am committed to fostering an environment where every student feels comfortable, included, and empowered to share their ideas and concerns. As a disabled student, I understand first-hand the importance of ensuring that our programme and wider Health Sciences community remain inclusive and accessible. If elected, I will prioritise listening to your feedback and working collaboratively to improve accessibility and enhance your student experience.

During my second year, I served as a Course Representative, helping maintain open communication between students and the OT faculty during SSLC meetings, including co-chairing the final meeting of the year. I have also represented our profession as a student ambassador, welcoming prospective students to OT at Southampton. As Department President, I will draw on the skills developed in both roles to communicate clearly with staff and students, and to champion student wellbeing.

With the revalidated programme now in place for upcoming first- and second‑year students, I am eager to continue monitoring student experiences - celebrating what is working well and identifying areas for improvement. I will facilitate open conversations, so your feedback continues to guide the ongoing development of the programme.

I will always make time for students facing academic or personal challenges. Peer support and wellbeing are important to me, and I am committed to strengthening support networks - including the Buddy System and OT Society - to promote connection and support across all cohorts.

Thank you for your consideration!