Full name: Tomás Rocha Lawrence
Age: 24
Course & year of study: Biochemistry & microbiology, I’ve been Liberation Officer since July!
Give us your pitch! Why do you want the job and why should students vote for you?
Being trusted to represent the marginalised student voice as your Liberation Officer has honestly been the proudest moment of my life, and I will fight with everything I have to do it again and do it even better.
Whilst my 5 years working as a student disability champion and living as a disabled and queer student made me the right choice for my first year, the unprecedented insight, experience and groundwork you could only gain from being in the role is exactly why I need to continue that tremendous responsibility for a 2nd.
I believe I have accomplished so much for inclusion & accessibility in the SU and in ongoing university strategies, and hopefully my SU council updates alone can attest to that!
But voting for me to continue my long-term objectives with fresh ones in the midst of a university restructure gives us the chance to achieve so much more from the get-go, and properly embed equality, diversity and inclusion into Sheffield University permanently.
Given an unlimited budget what one thing would you do to help minority groups on campus?
I would launch a national network for connecting liberation communities to us here in Sheffield! Coming to university is stressful and intimidating for everyone, but marginalised students especially can face a deeper lack of belonging, voice, and even personal safety.
I’ve seen first-hand how the potential of these disconnected groups in Sheffield could be exploited further by actually broadcasting them! Funding to establish & maintain a visible network of regional liberation representatives working to connect and unite smaller communities would increase their visibility to students.
This would also strengthen collective power for liberation-based causes shared by our students & others and support struggling spaces that our Sheffield minority groups may rely on to survive & thrive.
Three words to describe yourself?
Dedicated, passionate, collaborative.
Who would play you in a film of your life?
Milton Jones – look him up, the resemblance is uncanny. An indie dramedy with him and some bad jokes would capture my essence perfectly.
What’s the best city in the UK?
Any coastal city where I can surf I’m happy!
What’s your greatest fear?
Bees haha, they for sure have something out for me and if they come anywhere near me I will genuinely run away.
What superpower would you choose?
Teleportation! I’d love to be able to travel from Morocco to Malaysia in the blink of an eye.
You can time travel to any year in history anywhere in the world. Where, when, and why?
No single year stands out to me I’m afraid! I might have to cheat and say 1000 years in the future – history’s already written, and I’m too curious not to find out where we’re going next!
Film or music? Favourite film/artist depending on your answer?
I am a MASSIVE film nerd! The original Alien is the movie I always come back to, because I love horror films, and there’s a cat in it.
Given the choice… pub, club or coffee shop? & Name your favourite pub/club/cafe in Sheffield depending on your answer.
I like the vibe of a good ol’ pub. I try to mix it up, so I don’t really have a favourite, but “Fagan’s” hosted some amazing Irish folk musicians the last time I went and it’s such a nice atmosphere when they have a show on!
What’s your meal deal? Not Tesco-exclusive, you can be edgy and pick a different shop…
Tesco’s spicy bean & feta wrap, pineapple & coconut water cause I’m fancy like that.
Which living person do you most admire and why?
My mum of course! I wouldn’t be where I am without her. She’s my best mate and whenever this job starts to get heavy, she’s always been the one to pick me back up and spur me on…shout out to Ann!
Keep one. Henderson’s relish, mayonnaise or ketchup?
I do relish Henderson’s – it’s great on a toastie and mayonnaise can get in the bin.
What’s your favourite thing about Sheffield?
I love how tight-knit Sheffield feels. People might joke about it as “the biggest village in England”, but there’s so many hidden gems and pockets of community within it that there’s so much to explore, but it all still feels so familiar. I’m a bit biased as a local, but it’s the only city I could ever call home!