Academic Board Elections: Voter Guide

Why Your Vote Matters

Academic Board is the University's principal academic governance body, helping to shape the strategic direction of learning, teaching, research, innovation and the wider academic experience.

The elected staff members joining Academic Board bring expertise and perspectives from across our Schools and professional communities. By participating in the election process, staff help ensure that Academic Board reflects the breadth of experience, knowledge and insight that exists across Cardiff Met.

Your vote provides an important opportunity to influence who will represent the interests of the wider University community for the coming term

 

Who Can Vote?

All eligible members of staff may participate in Academic Board elections.

To maintain appropriate representation, staff may only vote for candidates standing within their own home School.

Each School ballot is managed independently, and voters will only be presented with candidates standing within their eligible constituency and School.

 

Election Schedule (Academic Year 2026/27)

Phase	Activity	Window/ Deadline
Phase 1	Extended Nomination Window   Self-nominate via Form (Click here for form); Secretariat verifies seconders	Mon, 7 Sept - Mon 21 Sept   (Form closes strictly at 17:00)
Phase 2	Eligibility Check & Confirmation    Deans sign off; Secretariat confirms status with candidates	Tues, 22 Sept - Thur, 24 Sept
Phase 3	Secret Ballot (Alternative Vote)   5 days continuous voting to support part-time/flexible staff	Mon, 28 Sept (9:00) - Thurs,      1 Oct (17:00)
Phase 4	AV Count & Audit   Secretariat calculates; Chief People Officer verifies	Fri, 2 Oct
Phase 5	Results & Onboarding   Members confirmed in post & induction packs issues	Fri, 2 Oct - Mon, 5 Oct

 

How to Cast Your Vote

The election operates using the Alternative Vote (AV) system.

Rather than selecting just one candidate, voters are encouraged to rank candidates in order of preference:

• 1 = First choice
• 2 = Second choice
• 3 = Third choice
• And so on

You may rank as many or as few candidates as you wish.

Ranking additional candidates does not harm the chances of your preferred candidate. Instead, it allows your vote to continue to have influence if your highest-ranked candidate is eliminated during the count.

 

Understanding the Alternative Vote

The Alternative Vote system is designed to ensure that elected candidates have broad support among voters.

First Count

All first preference votes are counted.

If a candidate receives more than 50% of valid votes cast, they are elected immediately.

If No Candidate Achieves a Majority

The candidate with the lowest number of votes is eliminated.

Votes cast for that candidate are then transferred to each voter's next available preference.

The process continues until one candidate secures an overall majority of active votes.

 

Fairness and Transparency

The election process is managed independently by the University Secretary, acting as Returning Officer.

The Chief People Officer serves as Independent Scrutineer and oversees the count and verification process to ensure fairness, accuracy and transparency.

All votes are processed confidentially and election results will be formally certified before being announced.