Samarth Lakhanpal
su-vphss@qmul.ac.uk
Tell us a bit about yourself, your role and your time at Queen Mary
Hi, I’m Samarth Lakhanpal, and I’m really excited to be your next Vice-President for Humanities and Social Sciences. I’m originally from India and recently finished my degree in Law with Business at Queen Mary, where I was fortunate to receive an award for outstanding performance in Commercial and Consumer Law.
Over the past few years, Queen Mary has become like a second home to me. I’ve always loved getting involved in student life—whether it was competing in the Herbert Smith Freehill’s Intervarsity Negotiation Competition, where I reached the quarterfinals in 2024 and came 2nd in 2025, or leading student societies. One of the things I’m most proud of is bringing back the Queen Mary Consulting Society (QMCS)—a society I restarted because I’m passionate about consulting and wanted to create more career opportunities for other students. It was a real honour when QMCS was named Best Professional Development Society, and I also received the Student Community Honour Award for my contributions.
What’s always mattered most to me is representing students and making sure our voices are heard. As your VP, I’ll be focusing on a few key goals this year:
- Helping students feel more confident and prepared for jobs by improving access to career resources.
- Advocating for more financial support, especially for those coming from conflict-affected or disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Pushing for a fairer and more flexible approach to how subjects are chosen and assessed—so students can study what they’re genuinely passionate about.
I truly believe university should be a space where every student can thrive, and I’m here to help make that happen.
Favourite spot on any of our campuses?
Canalside- Sun-basking during the summer.
If you could recommend one thing the students union offers for students to get involved in, what would it be?
Societies, there is a society for everyone!
Top study tip?
Try to tackle your work as soon as you get it. At university, the workload can build up quickly, and leaving everything to the last minute can become overwhelming. If you stay on top of things and deal with tasks as they come, it becomes much easier to manage without feeling stressed. It’s all about keeping the pressure low by staying consistent.
Tell us about a hobby you do and why you love it
I used to be really into video games, but lately I’ve found myself enjoying cooking a lot more. It’s become a way for me to unwind—there’s something really calming about focusing on the different ingredients and bringing them together to create a dish. It helps me zone out from everything else and just be present in the moment.
What's one thing at Queen Mary that you couldn't live without?
Definitely the students—especially my peers and friends. They’re a huge source of motivation for me. Being around such driven and supportive people pushes me to do my best, not just for myself but also to contribute to their experience and make our time at university as rewarding as possible.
What's your ideal day out in London?
Eating—without a doubt! I love exploring food markets around the city, like Victoria Park Market, Canada Water, Brick Lane… you name it, I’ve probably eaten there. I’m especially a big fan of desserts—finding new sweet spots is always a highlight. It’s the perfect way to spend a day: good food, great vibes, and always something new to try.
What's a piece of advice you'd give to students?
University isn’t just about hitting the books—it’s about shaping who you are as a person. Get involved in student societies, take part in competitions, enjoy those late nights with friends, and don’t worry if you get a little lost in London now and then. All of these experiences come together to shape your journey and help you grow in ways that go far beyond the classroom.
If you could have one superhero power, what would it be?
As an international student, being far away from my family has been one of the most difficult parts of the journey. The ability to instantly teleport anywhere in the world would mean I could visit home whenever I wanted—whether it’s for a family celebration, or just a shared meal at the end of a long day. That kind of connection, without the limitations of time or distance, would be truly priceless.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
There’s a lot I’m excited about! First and foremost, I’m really looking forward to meeting the new cohort—sharing the lessons I’ve learned and the mistakes I’ve made, in the hope that it helps them avoid the same pitfalls.
On a personal level, I’m passionate about expanding career-related services at Queen Mary and supporting efforts to increase social mobility. With the unfortunate conflicts happening around the world, I also want to make sure that students from affected countries feel supported and heard during their time here
View my manifesto