Debates Board

The UDS Debates Board is made up of the Board of Ten, as well as two subcommittees. Each subcommittee has one representative on the Board of Ten. Members of the 2024-2025 Debates Board are listed below.

  • The official committee of the UDS which consists of 15 members. Members may vote on any amendment brought to the Board i.e. constitutional changes.

  • Responsible for organising weekly public debates. The board is led by the Chair of Ways & Means.

  • Responsible for organising weekly training sessions, competitions and schools outreach activities. The Competitive Subcommittee is led by the Chief Whip.

Board of Ten

  • Jenny Douce

    DEBATES OFFICER

    Jenny is a fourth year joint honours student studying Art History & English Literature. Jenny is from Cornwall, so if she see's you put cream one a scone before Jam she will implode!

  • Flynn Whittaker

    FIRST SECRETARY & TREASURER

    Flynn is a third year joint honours student studying Economics and Modern History. As First Secretary, Flynn is Jenny's No.2, but shamefully admits to know nothing about scones.

  • Alexandros Avramidis

    CHAIR OF WAYS AND MEANS

    Alex is a 3rd year International Relations and Modern History student. He likes to bring up the fact that he is from Greece.

  • Neva-Ensminger Holland

    CHIEF WHIP

  • Lewis O’Neill

    CLERK OF THE HOUSE

    Lewis Christopher O'Neill is a fourth-year International Relations student from Lanarkshire, Scotland. He has been part of the UDS in various positions since 2019

  • Arielle Friedlander

    STEWARD OF THE HOUSE

  • Jamie Sullivan

    MEDIA OFFICER

    Jamie is a second year student Computer Science and Mathematics.

  • Esther Enlow

    MEDIA OFFICER

  • Mathilda Gatsby

    DIVERSITY & INCLUSIONS OFFICER

    Mathilda Gatsby is a third year History of Art and Comparative Literature student from Sussex, although she has travelled around the world. She chose to join the UDS committee because of her own experiences and passion for working in Diversity and Inclusions, and was warmly welcomed by the committee.

  • Parth Pandya

    MOTHER OF THE HOUSE

    Parth is a third year PhD student in Demography. They are a keen amateur baker and are on UDS board in an advisory capacity, helping mainly on the competitive side.

  • William Smith

    FATHER OF THE HOUSE

    William is a neuroscience PhD student who has been part of the UDS in multiple capacities for years.

  • Catriona Martin

    DIRECTOR OF STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND ACTIVITIES

    Catriona supports students in activities outside of their studies - and line manages many subcommittees of the Union, including the UDS.

Public Subcommittee

  • Alexandros Avramidis

    CHAIR OF WAYS AND MEANS

    Alex is a 3rd year International Relations and Modern History student. He likes to bring up the fact that he is from Greece.

  • Iain McGrigor

    SERJEANT-AT-ARMS

  • Birte Burkart

    PUBLIC DEBATES SECRETARY

    Birte is a 3rd year student from Germany studying English and International Relations. She enjoys organising and attending the weekly Public Debates.

Competitive Subcommittee

  • Neva-Ensminger Holland

    CHIEF WHIP

  • Jack Jillings

    COMPETITIONS SECRETARY

  • Owen Goodacre

    TRAINING OFFICER

  • Laurence Dunkley

    SCHOOLS OUTREACH OFFICER

    Laurence is a second year Mathematics and Economics student from St Albans.

  • Abbie Lewis

    SCHOOLS COMPETITION CONVENOR

    Abbie is a second year modern languages student (German and Spanish) from Stoke-on-Trent. She is an ex-national swimmer of 10 years and joined the UDS to improve her confidence.

  • Zac Copley

    COMPETITIVE EQUITY OFFICER

  • Miya Turner

    FRESHERS’ REPRESENTATIVE

    Miya is a first year student studying History, from Edinburgh. She lives by the sea in Edinburgh, making her used to the cold winds of the town. She is very excited to share her love of debating with all.