How long have you worked at the Uni? What does your role involve?
I’ve been in this role since July last year, but I’ve worked at the University since 2013 in the Students’ Union, coordinating our peer mentoring and peer assisted learning schemes. I went over to UWE for a bit of a break in the middle between 2017-2018! Now the role I’m in is Doctoral Engagement Manager, so my remit is quite broad but it’s to improve the student experience for our doctoral students. That involves coordinating their induction, talking through issues facing the students, attending lots of meetings and leading on specific doctoral projects. I also oversee our events programme which includes the welcome reception, a ‘bake your doctorate’ competition, and lots of other initiatives.
What would you most like to achieve while at the University?
It’s a funny one because when I was here before I achieved everything I wanted to. I felt I had progressed, developed lots of peer learning schemes, implemented peer mentoring across the University, built good working relationships with colleagues, and got a fellowship from the Higher Education Academy for supporting learning and teaching. So I think right now, I’m comfortable with what I have done and I’m just enjoying it. What I want to achieve now is to raise the profile of doctoral education here at Bath.
Name one thing that makes you feel proud to work at the University of Bath?
Everybody probably says this, but it is the people! I must have liked it to come back to the Uni! When I left I realised there were a lot of people at Bath who really made my job easier, as colleagues here work really hard to help you. I've done a lot since I've been here and I've had so many opportunities which has been great which I don't think I would have got in other places. One of the things that I'm proud of is that I am able to coach other colleagues as a Staff Coach through the internal coaching network.
What piece of advice would you like to give to a student?
I would say it’s about taking all the opportunities you can get. At University, yes you’re here to study and get your qualifications and you’ve got to put the work in, but I think also if there’s something to do like volunteering, mentoring or joining a society then just do it, because you may not get as many opportunities when you’re in employment. I went to the University of Salford, and back then I only had 4 hours of study time a week, but I made sure I was involved in many things, such as mentoring, being a student ambassador, making use of my careers service etc. and that definitely set me up well for my first job.
Who was your most influential teacher/educator, and why?
I’d say it’s my Nan. I think she definitely motivated me to do something with my life. She really pushed me, and she used to say to me: “if you work hard then you can move out of this small town and do great things.” (I am from a small town in Lancashire that was a little deprived). More generally for me, a good educator is someone who can see potential in someone and push you on towards those things and motivate you.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Many things! After getting involved with mentoring at my university, when I graduated, I really wanted a job in that field, and I was so lucky that I had a career in that area for over 6 years. But when I was really young I had so many different ideas of what I wanted to do. I wanted to be Peter Pan, the thought of never growing up and of course flying was so appealing. Then I wanted to be in the West End, and then I thought about being a teacher. I was even offered a place on a teaching course, but it was only in that moment that I realised I actually didn’t want to do that. I think sometimes you’re ushered into teaching when actually you’re more suited into education as a whole and a career in Higher Education has been perfect.
What’s the one thing you know now that you wish you’d known when you were younger?
Probably nothing… because I don’t know everything now and I’m still learning. But I also don’t have any regrets either. I very much live for the present, live for the moment and am quite sound in my judgements. So I wouldn’t have told myself anything different, because that’s how I ended up where I am now.
What was your first job?
My first ever job was doing some ironing for my auntie. She was a wedding planner so she used to ask me to iron chair covers and tablecloths. She gave me 50p per sash, which was a pretty good rate back then! Then I got a Christmas temp job at Next, which I didn’t like as much. I ended up on the retail route for a while, until I went to University and got lots of employment opportunities in various departments
If you could start your own dream business, what would it be?
Something I’m keen to do is set up “’Olidays”, where kids from the UK go abroad to learn a different language. I’ve been involved with something similar for a long time where kids from France come to the UK to learn English. Unlike other language schools, these are thematic! When kids are immersed in a theme they enjoy, learning will be easier. I’ve been involved in themes such as stage school, British culture, and spy camp, but my favourite is the wizard camp – I’m basically a professor for a week teaching magic classes! But going back to “Olidays” I think there’s a gap in the UK for something like that, so I’d love the opportunity to provide a week long opportunity for children to learn the language. Plus the name works well too!
Where is your favourite holiday destination and why?
I really love Sweden, I just love everything about it. When I worked for UWE I went to Lund for a conference and took a couple of weeks off just to spend some extra time there. I started at Lund, went to Malmo and then on to Helsingborg. After that I went to Gothenburg and then onto Stockholm for the majority of the time. It was clean, safe, with good museums and good food. I would love an opportunity to go back there.
What’s your favourite book or album and why?
I don’t like this question! Because I don’t really read that much. In terms of music, I’m a Spotify person, so I tend to listen to the charts or whatever else Spotify recommends for you. But I do like 80s music!
When are you happiest?
For me, friends are really important. One of the reasons I've stayed in Bath for so long is because I've made so many friends here and now it definitely feels like home. I like to do things like play board games and have dinner parties. I also am an organiser of Meetup group for people in their 20s and 30s in Bath. If you don't know what it is ? basically you can join different groups in your local area and is an opportunity to meet some new people. When the opportunity came up to run the group, I snapped at it! I definitely benefited from it hugely and I thought it would be good to keep the spirit going! I met so many colleagues from the University through it too!
If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and why?
I would really like to meet the Queen. There’s something about the royal family – you either love or hate them. I think there’s something quite aspirational about them because I would never get to experience their lifestyle. I think she’d be really impartial and not tell you very much but it would be really interesting!
Which one superpower would you like to possess?
Quite a few… Flying would be really good because then I wouldn’t have to get on the bus and I spend a lot of time on trains. But I wouldn’t want to teleport because you would lose that experience of seeing everything as you fly. I used to love Bernard’s Watch, so if I could also freeze time and catch up on stuff that would be amazing.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I think you’ve probably learnt a lot already! I’m a pretty open book, so when I meet people I tend to be quite open and share things with people. One thing that I don’t tell many people though is that I’m actually related to Phillip Schofield – he is my dad’s first cousin (my first cousin once removed)!
Tell us your favourite joke
Well I've just told you one in my previous answer?