Iona is a director of the Traditional Music and Song Association, a charity which promotes and preserves traditional music through advocacy and education at a range of levels and abilities. Iona is a strong advocate of life-long learning, and is particularly passionate about access to music making, sport and creative endeavours as a vehicle to establishing a well-being economy.
In 2022, Iona joined Kansas City-based Folk Alliance International as a director, helping to develop the organisation's strategic plan and EDI framework. Iona also has experience in fundraising. She is a member of the Scottish Government's Cross-Party Group on Music and the Scots Language.
During the pandemic, Iona co-founded and voluntarily acted as Communications Officer for Oor Vyce, the campaign for the legal recognition of the Scots Language, including the Doric dialect of Scots. The organisation is helping to oversee the new Scottish Languages Bull, which will see an update to the Gaelic Language Act, and a brand-new Scots Language Act. In 2021, Iona changed language policy at Spotify when she successfully campaigned for the company to add the Scots Language to its platform.
Manifesto
A present, reliable and accessible Rector
A presence in the community. A hands-on, effective, present and compassionate rector is required to be readily accessible to listen to and swiftly act on your behalf. Despite my freelance occupation as a musician, who often travels, I promise to be flexible, fair and a present fixture to the community.
Available and accountable. I am aware that some issues may spring up with very little warning, for example, the threat to language provision. For the student body to mobilise, I am aware of the responsibility to be available and accountable at short notice. As rector, I will utilise my home base of my family home in Huntly for time of increased activity (Love you, Mum!).
Accessible and flexible in person and Zoom surgeries. As a freelancer and relatively recent university graduate, I'm all too aware of the challenges and time constraints of juggling studying, your personal life and work commitments. I want my surgeries to be readily accessible to all students at various times of the day at several junctures during the semester. So, in addition to drop-in and pre-bookable in person surgeries, I also aim to host Zoom surgeries on both a drop-in and pre-bookable basis. I am aware of the flexibility required by me to carry out duties in a highly effective manner.
Championing equality, diversity and inclusion
I will pro-actively work with University leadership to ensure that the University continues to be a safe environment for students of all socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, genders, sexualities, and other protected characteristics.
I will work with the University leadership to ensure that any instances of discrimination are dealt with swiftly and appropriately.
I will endeavour to facilitate discussions around the appointment of a dedicated Disability Advisor, to be a main point of contact for students at the beginning of their student lives to create dedicated plans and commitments to their access requirements.
I am passionate about widening access to further education to students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds as well as care experienced students. I'm aware that financial constraints are a barrier to accessing higher education. I'd endeavour to communicate with University leadership about expanding availability of subsidised accommodation for students who require it.
Mental health provision
I am aware that the Covid19 pandemic remains a key contributor to the mental health crisis that students are facing. I appreciate that you, as current and new intakes of students will have had the more formative years of your adolescence affected by interruptions to your education, social life and wellbeing by the pandemic. This warrants the University of Aberdeen to invest greater resources in mental health provision through access to counselling.
Wellbeing economy for students
As well as increased mental health support, I believe that student wellbeing should be viewed with a broader, more holistic approach.
I will advocate for greater funding and support for clubs and societies, so that more students have more opportunities to participate in recreational, competitive and non-competitive activities such as sports, dance, music, drama and other activities.
Climate change
I commit to working pro-actively with university leadership to ensure that sustainability will be at the heart of any decision making. I will encourage University leadership to acknowledge and address the threat of climate change.
Student safety
I pledge to use my platform to raise awareness of the importance of affordable safe and reliable public transport, including ensuring that night buses continue to operate in Aberdeen.
I pledge to use my platform to campaign for the Scottish Government to retain and continue its policy of free bus travel for Under 22 years of age.
I will make myself available to listen to safety concerns of students on a regular basis, and if required out with surgery times, to make sure concerns are addressed in a timely manner.
Language provision and programme cuts
Last year LLMVC (Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture) school was targeted for 'radical action' which would discontinue the provision of joint honours degrees in languages. The student body led a powerful and compelling campaign which resulted in the University leadership deciding to ditch plans to discontinue the provision joint honours degrees in languages. I felt compelled to use my platform and social media presence to support and raise awareness of the #SaveUOAlanguages campaign.
Whilst the University decided to continue the language provision, it is of no doubt that students and staff members will be on high alert about any future potential targeting of the LLMVC (Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture) school for cuts.
As rector, I would make myself available to support and vocally stand up for students (and if required, staff members) who may be fearful of any future U-turn's made on the decision to continue joint honours degrees in languages, or any cuts to language provision.
I commit to serving as an effective intermediary between the student body, court and senior management and hope to encourage the further restoration of trust and constructive co-operation between the student body and court, after a period which understandably may have reduced trust.
