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For Ande, a final-year Politics, Philosophy and Economics student and president of Rethinking Society, this student group offers something extraordinary: a space for meaningful, open-ended discussions where empathy and critical thinking thrive. At a university often perceived as politically right-leaning, Rethinking Society stands out as a haven for students seeking nuanced conversations and community.
Ande recalls her first experience with the society as a first-year student. “I was looking for a space to discuss big political and philosophical ideas, but I didn’t want the adversarial tone of debates. Rethinking felt different—it was never black and white,” she explains. Three years later, she leads society with the same ethos that first drew her in, emphasising inclusion, curiosity, and trust.
What is Rethinking Society?
At its core, Rethinking Society is a discussion forum blending seminar-style depth with the casual vibe of a pub talk or book club. Open to students of all disciplines and levels of study, it’s a space where no prior knowledge is required, just an open mind.
The society tackles broad and often unconventional topics like “Drugs,” “Fashion,” and “Spirituality” in its weekly sessions. As Ande explains, “The beauty of Rethinking is that we focus on the ‘why’ rather than debating who’s right,” Ande says. Unlike many societies, there’s no pressure to participate. “If you want to just sit back and absorb the ideas, that’s completely fine,” she adds.
The emphasis is on creating a safe space for exploration rather than division. Participants are encouraged to bring their knowledge and passionate opinions, but the only prerequisites are an open mind and a willingness to engage critically with new perspectives. The society also emphasises accessibility—events are free, and no one is required to speak, creating a welcoming environment for even the most hesitant attendees.
Ande’s Journey with Rethinking Society
For Ande, her first encounter with Rethinking Society came in her first year as a PPE student at the University of Exeter. She was drawn to the society for its unique approach to discussing political issues—free from the rigidity of formal debates. “I’d done debating before, but I didn’t enjoy how black-and-white it made everything feel,” she reflects. “Rethinking felt like a space where I could explore topics I was interested in without the pressure to take a side.”
Since those early days, Ande has witnessed the society grow into a vibrant, close-knit community. “It’s evolved quite a bit,” she says. “There’s a stronger sense of togetherness now, with more socials and collaborations with other societies. But the Thursday Rethinking sessions—our core discussions—have stayed the same.” These sessions remain at the heart of Rethinking, offering students a space to engage in open-ended, empathetic conversations about everything from philosophy to current events.
Stepping into a leadership role wasn’t something Ande initially planned. “In my second year, it didn’t seem like anyone was going to run for presidency, so I put myself forward” she explains. When the former presider decided to continue in their position, Ande became the Vice President of the society, finally landing her presidency role at the start of her final year. “I loved the society so much that I wanted to give something back, so I decided to put myself forward.” Since becoming president, Ande has found that leading the society has deepened her belief in the power of dialogue.
“It’s given me faith in politics—not in the systems or politicians, but in the discussions we can have,” she shares. “Before, everything felt so polarised and simplistic. Staying in Rethinking has been a reminder that political discussions can be peaceful, civil, and even enjoyable.”
While Rethinking Society isn’t a party-affiliated group, Ande believes it has its own kind of influence—both on campus and beyond. “It’s easier to see the direct impact with party-based societies because they’re gateways to political campaigns,” she explains. “But in smaller, community-based ways, societies like ours matter too. Our members have attended protests, like the Pro-Palestine demonstrations, and those experiences shape their perspectives.”
Rethinking Society also actively engages with other groups on campus to tackle contentious issues. A notable example is their collaboration with the Freedom Society on “Rethinking Immigration.” When Freedom members presented right-wing, anti-immigration arguments, Rethinking’s approach stood out. “Everyone stayed calm and focused on logic,” Ande recalls. “It’s those kinds of discussions that can genuinely shift opinions.”
Creating Empathetic Political Discussions: A Rethinking Approach
In an age of polarisation, Rethinking Society provides a powerful counterexample: a space where political discussions aren’t just civil but empathetic and transformative. Ande, the society’s president, believes the key lies in trust and community. “It’s not just about what we talk about; it’s about knowing the person behind the ideas,” she explains. “Our socials and the way we engage with each other outside of discussions are just as important as the conversations themselves.”
When it comes to how political leaders can foster respectful and accountable discourse, Ande offers a personal perspective rooted in her and her peers’ critical view of traditional systems. “Decentralisation is key,” she asserts. “The idea that someone as far removed as Keir Starmer represents me is absurd. True accountability starts with making people aware of who represents them and ensuring those representatives are closer to the communities they serve.”
While she acknowledges that proportional representation, like Scotland’s system, is an improvement over the UK’s first-past-the-post voting, Ande isn’t fully convinced. “Even that’s not perfect,” she says. “It can make consensus harder to reach, but I’d rather accept that challenge than rely on artificial consensus that doesn’t truly reflect the people’s will.”
This scepticism reflects a broader sentiment within Rethinking, where members often lean toward a more anarchist approach to governance. For Ande, the focus is less about perfect systems and more about fostering dialogue that acknowledges complexity and builds accountability.
Encouraging people to step outside their political affiliations without deepening mistrust is another area where Rethinking excels. “We don’t check party affiliations at the door,” Ande jokes. “The environment we create is about nuance. Members trust that their arguments won’t be straw-manned or dismissed.”
She points out that positive interactions play a huge role in building trust and empathy. “If someone has a good experience sharing their opinion, they’re more likely to keep engaging,” she says. “It’s all about creating a space where people feel free to speak.”
As AI tools increasingly shape public discourse, Rethinking has also started to explore their ethical implications. Ande’s stance is clear: “Humans need to stay at the center of politics.”
While she acknowledges the capabilities of tools like ChatGPT in analysing patterns and replicating emotional tones, Ande insists they lack the human depth required for political decision-making. “AI can mimic the rhythm of an emotion, but I’m not sure whether it would be able to actually understand it,” she explains. “I’d rather see campaigns shaped by real people and real artists, not algorithms.”
For Rethinking Society, the discussion around AI highlights the importance of grounding political conversations in human experiences and emotions. As Ande puts it, “Politics is about understanding perspectives.”
Looking Ahead: Rethinking Society’s Goals and Vision
As Rethinking Society moves forward, its focus remains firmly on cultivating a vibrant, inclusive community. “Every Thursday, we’re genuinely excited to see everyone,” says Ande, the society’s president. “That sense of connection is what keeps us going.”
The past year has seen Rethinking broaden its scope beyond traditional political topics, exploring ideas that straddle philosophy, culture, and social issues. Discussions have ranged from “Immigration” to less conventional themes like “Cannibalism.” Ande and her team are eager to push the boundaries even further.
For students who might feel hesitant about joining, Ande emphasizes the society’s low-pressure environment. “One of the best things about Rethinking is that you don’t have to speak if you don’t want to,” she says. “You can come along, listen, and take it all in. It’s very much like a seminar—only the people who volunteer contribute to the conversation.”
This approach has made Rethinking an accessible option for students across all disciplines and confidence levels. “We’re here for anyone who wants to engage with interesting ideas in a supportive space,” Ande adds. As well as this, accessibility for all participants is a priority for Rethinking Society and is something that they are conscious of during their discussion. Recently, they introduced innovative methods, such as a hand symbol for clarifying complex terminology, ensuring discussions remain accessible to all. “We care a lot about everyone feeling included,” says Ande. This ethos extends to their events, all of which are free to attend.
As for the society’s legacy, Ande hopes it will remain a haven for open dialogue and critical thought. There aren’t many spaces like this on campus,” she reflects. “The political culture here feels like it’s fading. When spaces do exist, they’re often heated or divisive. We’ve tried to be something different”. Exeter’s reputation as a right-leaning university has, according to Ande, contributed to a sense of political apathy among students. “One of the most common things I hear is, ‘I didn’t know this place existed.’ For left-leaning students especially, it’s important to have somewhere to gather and talk,” she explains.
Getting involved is as simple as turning up. Rethinking meets every Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 PM in the Forum seminar rooms. “The biggest selling point is the community,” Ande says. “It’s such an interesting group of people. You make genuine friends and discover ideas you might never have considered—all in a way that’s fun and approachable.”
To find out more about the University of Exeter Rethinking Society, please follow this link to see their page on the Exeter Student Guild Website: https://my.exeterguild.com/groups/4GG3F/rethinking-society
Or check out their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therethinkingsoc/
* The Witness Journal’s Senior Editors, Veronika Parfjonova and Emily Hone, conducted interviews with all of the societies that were willing to participate as part of a feature series to showcase political party societies at the University of Exeter*
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