I am a well-motivated individual that is enthusiastic with commitment and a passion for providing a learning, teaching and working environment that is inclusive, supportive and enables all staff and students to succeed.
Prior to joining Canterbury Christ Church University, I was a Senior Forensic Scientist and a Forensic Casework Team Leader at one of the UK’s leading Forensic Science Providers. As a forensic scientist, I was careful to ensure that my duty in the administration of justice was to the highest standard by maintaining integrity, objectivity, transparency, working in the interest of the public and taking ownership of my casework and my actions. All values that I believe are fundamental to the role of a staff governor. As a Team Leader, I was required to manage a team of casework examiners, ensure that the daily operations of the team and the organisation were carried out effectively whilst maintaining quality and high levels of morale. I was tasked with making operational decisions based on resources, budgets, deadlines, the wellbeing of staff and considerations of business continuity and disaster management.
In 2018, I joined CCCU as a Lecturer in Forensic Investigation and since then I have witnessed the rapidly changing landscape of the Higher Education sector and the direct impact this has had on universities including CCCU. This change has brought about many challenges such as, the drop in student numbers, testing student retention and engagement rates, increased mental health and wellbeing challenges, a competitive job market and financial uncertainties. Nonetheless, the evolution of HE has also brought opportunities for growth and new ways of working, including digitally enhanced blended learning, the emergence of AI, the Lifelong Learning Bill, a greater appreciation for sustainability/social responsibility and better access to national and global networks.
As a firm believer that academic governance should be collaborative, with shared values and transparency, I make it my mission to capture the voices and lived experiences of staff and students and act upon insights gained to learn, inform, challenge and embed changes in policies and practices. Thus, I have taken on leadership roles and responsibilities that have given me the privilege to co-create and work collaboratively with colleagues and students across all areas of the university (as well as key external stakeholders) to address key strategic commitments, promote academic rigour and ensure that we uphold quality standards.
Working as an academic and Strategic Lead for Closing our Gap has been rewarding and I fully appreciate the everyday challenges faced by academics and students whilst having a good understanding of strategic direction of the university and the higher education sector.
The role of the staff academic governor is fundamental to shaping a sustainable and just future for all that study, work and visit the university. As such, I am committed to:
- Embracing the ever-changing landscape of HE in a manner that is responsive and builds a sustainable future that fosters collaboration, interdisciplinarity and scholarship
- Advocating for policies and practices that promote inclusion and a culture of equity
- Fostering a thriving community that feels empowered by advocating for all staff and students
- Championing excellence in learning and teaching and research and enterprise
- Promoting a culture that prioritises staff and student wellbeing and equitable outcomes for all
- Promoting accountability and transparency to ensure that the university decisions are made with our students, our staff and our community at the centre and ensuring that academic integrity is upheld.
If given the opportunity to serve as a member of the Governing Body, I would seek to work collaboratively with staff and students to foster a community in which we can all thrive.