Jane: Tell us a bit about who you are and what your role is at the university?
Most people know me as Susie (Dr Susanna Martin). I am the Experimental Officer in the Department of Psychology. This role primarily involves managing the research resources and labs for Psychology. I lead a team of technicians that support staff and students in learning and research. I particularly focus on health and safety, policies, participant recruitment, and liaising with other departments.
Jane: What do you like best about working at the University?
I’ve been at the university for 15 years and I’ve always felt part of a community, initially as a PGR and later as a member of staff. The recent work on research culture has seen a real shift towards recognition of some of the more unknown job roles and I really appreciate how it is possible to join committees and make your voice heard. I also really enjoy the woodland walks around campus!
Jane: In 2024, you were a recipient of a Staff Recognition Award. Can you tell us more about what you got the award for?
My colleague Nathan and I received a team award for Enhancing the Student Experience. We were kindly nominated by our department in recognition of some of the work we have done in supporting Psychology students with their projects and research. In particular for our problem solving in relation to some of the more technical VR Projects, along with our support for aiding in participant recruitment and ensuring research runs smoothly for students.
Jane: What sorts of things do you do for the community and what motivates you to get involved in helping members of our community?
I’ve always been involved in public engagement events, leading on psychology’s involvement in events such as Pint of Science and Bath Taps into Science. In more recent years I’ve become heavily involved in the sustainability work, leading on LEAF for Psychology, and now we are moving across to Green Impact. I’ve recently joined the Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee as a lay member and I represent technicians on the Business and Research Partnerships Steering Group. I’ve also really enjoyed being part of the recent Research Enablers consultation. I really enjoy hearing about different aspects of the university and I’m keen to share my experiences in an effort to help others. Sustainability and Outreach are two passions of mine and I’m really pleased that the University is investing in sustainability across the university.
Jane: If someone is reading this and wants to get more involved in community activities at the University, where should they start?
Well, Green Impact is a great initiative that is just starting out that anyone can join in on, either by joining an existing team in your area or by setting up a new one. Similarly the wellbeing and mental health champions would always welcome new members. I’d also recommend joining working groups, or focus groups in areas that interest you. If you’re not so keen on in person, then there are also quite a few MS Teams groups which can be good to join such as parenting, and governor networks, or outreach. If you want to share skills then there are also Communities of Practice being set up on Teams, for example in Power Automate and Sharepoint. You could also consider setting something up yourself, you only need a few people to form a community….
Jane: If you had a magic wand, what one thing would you change at the University to build a greater sense of community?
More staff social spaces for those incidental meetings between people, but probably more important is allowing the time for people to pause and go to these places. Sometimes it feels like workload is starting to silo people as they don’t have time to network as much, but often networking can allow you to share the load and may save time in the long run.
Jane: What does community and inclusion mean to you?
Feeling part of the group and knowing that if I speak up someone will listen, and together we might be able to make a change. Inclusion feels like something we’ve been working towards for a while, I think we’ve made great steps towards it, but academia and society as a whole still has a few more steps to take to be fully inclusive of everyone.
Jane: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
You should always ask the question, as more than likely someone else also wants to know the answer but is too scared to ask. Along with, be the person that you needed when you were younger.
Jane: Can you tell us something about you that might surprise people?
I have quite the family connection to the university. My mother graduated from Pharmacy in the late 70’s and my father decided to follow in my footsteps and completed a PhD in Psychology (with the same supervisor as me) a few years after I had undertaken mine. It was a special moment when I was able to watch my father graduate.