Dr Arthur Bernhoff

Dr Arthur Bernhoff (BA, MSc, LLM, PhD) is an alumnus of the University of St Andrews, where he completed a PhD in International Relations, having previously obtained a BA in International Security and Conflict Resolution and an MSc in Homeland Security.
 
His doctoral research took him to conflict and post-conflict areas of the Middle East, including several years living in Lebanon, where his fieldwork required navigating complex political, cultural and security environments.

After completing his PhD, Arthur served seven years with the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine. Following closure of the mission in 2022, Arthur returned to academia, completing a Master of Laws in Human Rights at the University of Edinburgh. He currently holds an analytical role with the Ministry of Defence and remains a Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Deployable Civilian Expert. He is also writing a book about his years with the OSCE.
 
His career has centred on listening, representation, negotiation, navigating diverse and dynamic environments, and finding consensus across divides.
 
As Rector, his priorities would be simple: to be present, to listen, and to act. He would be a strong and independent voice for students, bringing their concerns to Court and working with integrity to turn those concerns into practical action and tangible results.
 
Arthur wants to give back to the University that gave him so much — and to help ensure that every student, whatever their background or circumstances, has the opportunity to thrive at St Andrews.

Dr Q Manivannan

As a Member of Scottish Parliament (MSP), and as a proud St Andrews alumnus, I will contribute to the University of St Andrews’ efforts to uncover its potential as a university of solidarity, sanctuary, excellence, and innovation. I have worked as an Assistant Warden at David Russell Apartments and Fife Park for a year, I have taught over 300 students and was awarded the Best Graduate Teaching Assistant Award through student nominations.

I have fought against Turnitin usage long before its most recent concerns – and will continue to. I have led efforts in solidarity with Palestine, against antisemitism, and against the mistreatment of the past Rector Stella Marris.

It’s my honour to represent our student population, to sit with the feelings of belongingness that we all deserve to feel, and to coordinate with Scotland’s wider higher education and cultural sector to bring new modes of support for our wee bubble.

I know what it’s like to be a student at St Andrews, I know what it’s like to be a support staff member here, and I worked as an Anti-Casualisation Officer with UCU St Andrews during my time there. But also, as an MSP, I know how bureaucracy and institutional red tapes can paralyse even the best institutions from achieving their full potential. Students deserve safe and affordable housing, they deserve more artistic spaces, and they deserve the opportunity to express their anger at the state of the world, without fear of risk of isolation. Our student and staff unions deserve support, and I am here to help.

Edison Yau

Shortbread, anyone? I'm Edison, a 2026 St Andrews medicine graduate and current student doctor who is proud to be standing for a position that should belong to students. Instead of offering a list of my achievements and titles, I want you to know the person behind the name. One who walks the Coastal Path in the St Andrews rain, bakes for medical societies and charities, adores bonfires and treasures the friendships that made it home for me.

I'm a student doctor because medicine brings together the humanities and sciences, compassion with rigour and debate with discovery. The Rectorial office hasn't seen this balance in generations: a graduate of Science or Medicine from St Andrews has never been Rector.

I don’t want to be remembered for the loudest intervention, a personal agenda or my more-than-occasional tea breaks. I want to be the Rector who listens, whether on the phone or at student meetings. I will make myself accessible to students, hear you directly and amplify our collective voices in Court.

We enter a new era through the Making Waves campaign, and students must have a meaningful voice in shaping the projects: from inclusion and sustainability to investment for groundbreaking research and innovation. Every student should feel safe and included at Scotland's oldest university.

I am not running to add another title to a CV. I'm running because I love St Andrews, I’m ready to show up, and I believe the Rector should be here too, not just in photos.