Julie Allen1
1UK Council for International Student Affairs, London, United Kingdom
The UK Council for International Affairs (UKCISA) was founded in 1968. Since then around 5m international students have come to the UK to study. Julie Allen, Director of Policy and Services at UKCISA will reflect briefly on the work of the organisation and its members in developing effective support for international students studying in the UK. She will also touch on some of the exciting and innovative 50+ projects and research that UKCISA has recently funded. These include a toolkit on sexual health, accessibility of counselling services, using students in curriculum devolopment, videos to aid transition and mobilising family support.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) is the UK’s national advisory body supporting international students and those who work with them. We provide advice, guidance and information about all aspects of the international student experience, from immigration and fees to mental health, culture shock and orientation. We are a membership organisation for all institutions, students’ unions and organisations working with international students and also provide information and advice directly to students around the world.
We aim to:
- increase support for international education and raise awareness of its values and benefits
- promote opportunities for – and identify and work to reduce obstacles and barriers to – greater student mobility
- encourage best practice, professional development and the highest quality of institutional support for international students throughout the education sector.
Biography:
Julie joined UKCISA in February 2014. Prior to this she worked in international-student-related roles at London School of Economics and Political Science, Queen Mary, University of London and University of the Arts, London. Prior to that she taught English in Japan and Spain.
At UKCISA, Julie is responsible for international student policy and support services for members including the annual conference each July. She leads the Policy and Services team who work on the website, publications, communications, and membership and training support.