Ella Burkett
Press play and learn more about Ella Burkett's story. She's a STAND Changemakers Academy participant who's done the Global Issues course and contributes to STAND News.
Ella’s Path from STAND Participant to STAND Team Member
Ella Burkett was a final year Politics and Economics student at Trinity College when she came across the STAND festival on campus in October 2023. Inspired, she decided to sign up to STAND’s Global Issues course that Autumn.
"While political Science can be very academic, what I really loved about this course was that I felt like I got to challenge the status quo… it made me realise there were other people like me who were dissatisfied with the way that the world works and wanted to see something change for the better".
The decision to join the Global Issues course changed the trajectory of her year to come. When the opportunity to sign up for the STAND Changemakers Academy arose, Ella did not hesitate. In November 2023 she joined he first cohort of the programme and did not look back.
"One of the things that drew me to the Changemakers program was how new and innovative it was. I'd quite literally never seen anything like it. A tailored time period where I could simply sit down and learn about activism from people around me was something that was just new and special for me."
What stood out for Ella was the diversity of students on the programme and the opportunity for peer to peer learning. She also valued the emphasis on critical thinking embedded throughout the Academy: ‘We were constantly questioning the way systems work, how class, gender and race amongst other dividers amongst society were perceived and how we can make change within those areas.’
On completion of the Changemakers Academy Ella found herself wanting to stay connected with STAND and applied to be a STAND News Contributor. During this time, she wrote and published a range of articles for the platform, including: “ Student action in support of Palestine around the world”, “What does Thailand’s same-sex marriage bill mean for LGBTQ+ rights in Southeast Asia?” and “Viewing Culture Projects Consciously: Museums and Soft Power in the U.A.E.”.
In summer of 2024, an opportunity arose to apply for the STAND News Editor and Communications Officer role. Ella jumped at the chance and has been a much-valued member of the STAND team ever since. She sees herself continuing to work in the non-profit sector in impact-oriented careers.
“The Changemakers Academy, and participating in STAND’s programs at large, has changed my life—it has opened my world to new perspectives, given me tangible tools to develop my academic and professional success, and provided me a space, skills and support to imagine and work towards a better world.”
During my time with STAND, one of the biggest lessons I've learned is that activism comes in all forms.
