LCF Officer Update – Academic Transparency, Sustainability & Student Experience

Hello everyone! I’m Jianing, your LCF officer for 25/26, now I’d like to share an update on what I’ve been working on this term. It’s been a packed few weeks, and I’m really pleased to share some of the tangible progress we’ve made across assessment transparency, sustainability, and student experience at LCF.

Objective 1 – Assessment Criteria Benchmarking & Improving Academic Transparency

This term marked several important steps forward in improving how assessment expectations are communicated to students.

What has been completed:

I have completed the first phase of a sector-wide benchmarking review, analysing how universities across the UK present and explain assessment criteria.

I have also mapped these findings against UAL’s existing assessment framework, identifying several areas where clarity and transparency can be strengthened.

Student feedback collected from School Reps last has already been integrated into this analysis, ensuring that the issues students raise most often are directly informing next steps.

What I am delivering next:

I am now working with the SU Education Quality Team to launch a dedicated Course Rep discussion group at the start of next term.

Objective 2 – LCF Material Donation Initiative & Building a Sustainable Making Culture

This term has seen concrete achievements in our sustainability work at LCF.

What has been completed:

The material donation initiative has now entered its mobilisation stage. We have issued a call-out to postgraduate students and technicians, establishing the processes needed for intake, sorting, and redistribution. The infrastructure for the upcoming donation cycle is fully prepared.

All materials from the Spring locker clearance have now been fully sorted and catalogued, making them ready for redistribution.

I have also reopened communication with external partners, such as ReneeMaterials, to explore long-term collaboration opportunities for circular reuse.

What is coming next:

The Front of House team has confirmed that another clearance will occur after Christmas, and based on previous years, we are expecting a large wave of materials, which I will coordinate for redistribution in the next LCF Material Giveaway in January.

I have also begun ongoing discussions with tutors and technical teams to embed sustainable practices more deeply into studio culture, laying the groundwork for longer-term, systemic change in how we use materials at LCF.

Objective 3 – Career Development, Industry Connections & Supporting International Students

This has been an especially productive area this term, with multiple completed outcomes.

What has been completed:

I took the lead in running the student feedback stall at the CSM Career Fair and now analysing the responses—together with data from the Craft Your Future project—to extract actionable insights on employability and skills development.

We successfully delivered the MiHoYo Recruitment Event, creating targeted opportunities for Chinese students to connect with industry. This aligns with ongoing priorities around employability and sector engagement.

Together with Zaine and Ayon, we have completed the proposal and early-stage planning framework for the International Student Exhibition.

What is happening now:

The Arts Programme team has now confirmed their support with: venue sourcing, spatial planning and exhibition design. This means the project is formally progressing into the operational stage.

I am also expanding our network by initiating conversations with artists and industry professionals, aiming to bring new workshops, talks and collaborations to UAL students in the coming terms.

Liberation & Community Events – Chinese New Year

I am also planning two Chinese New Year events this term as part of our Liberation and community-building work. These will create space for cultural celebration and for ESEA students to feel represented and connected within the LCF community.

Thank you again for reading and for continually sharing your experiences with me. Your feedback directly shapes this work, and I’m looking forward to updating you again soon with even more progress.

— Jianing, LCF Officer