People

Department: Psychology

Job Title: Lecturer

Why did you want to be a part of the project? 

I've been working on some community building project in my department which were heavily motivated by my own experiences as a student with disabilities.  I wanted to connect with like-minded people to help build on this and help support inclusion not just within Psychology but across the University as well.

What has been your role in the DISCO Project so far?

I have been the 'prinicple investigator' helping to guide and co-ordinate the project.

Do you plan to do anything related to the project in the future? 

Yes!  I want to take what we have learnt so far to see how we can improve and grow community within psychology and across our new DISCO project network.  

Any hobbies interests, achievements or fun facts about yourself?

I love mushrooms, foxs and gnomes :).  I am a hugh Jane Austen fan and really enjoy playing DnD.

Department: Chemistry

Job Title: Lecturer

Why did you want to be a part of the project? 

I am really interested in how we support students with disabilities and how we can make their experience as good as it can be. Student communities can make such a difference in helping students feel like they belong and are part of the department so it's very important work and I'm glad to be involved. 

Have you done anything related to the project before? 

I've worked as the Disability officer for the chemistry department. Julia and I ran a virtual conference in 2022 funded by the RSC on Inequalities in Chemistry Higher Education, where we brought together staff and student voices from across the country to discuss inequalities and what can be done to help overcome them. 

Any hobbies interests, achievements or fun facts about yourself?

I ride a motorbike, I have a daughter and a energetic springer spaniel who keep me very busy. 

Department: School of Physics, Engineering & Technology

Job Title: Student Services Manager

Department: Chemistry

Job Title: Senior Lecturer in Chemistry Education

Why did you want to be a part of the project? 

Finding a disabled community has made a huge difference to me personally. I'm really keen to help improve disabled students sense of belonging at university and I think that active communities can have a big impact. 

Have you done anything related to the project before? 

Over the last few years, we have been exploring students' experiences of studying chemistry, the impact of sensory overload, and accessibility of STEM labs. 

Any hobbies interests, achievements or fun facts about yourself?

I'm a Vegetarian and Crystal Palace fan.

Department: Psychology

Job Title:  Senior Lecturer

Why did you want to be a part of the project? 

Community is important and part of my role is to foster student engagement. 

Have you done anything related to the project before?

Yes, a widening participation (WP) alumni interview project. We recruited WP students interviewed WP alumni to develop 12 short videos relating to career development, tips regarding the university experience, transferable skills etc. 

Any hobbies interests, achievements or fun facts about yourself?

I am a Lego aficionado and make Lego dioramas in my spare time - the DISCO Logo makes me happy! 

Department: Psychology

Job Title: Lecturer

Why did you want to be a part of the project? 

My research is about autism and Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), and the experiences of neurodivergent students is important to me. 

What has been your role in the DISCO Project so far?

I helped oversee the analysis of the survey data, applying a technique called content analysis. I helped teach this approach to the students who then applied it to the survey data. 

Have you done anything related to the project before? 

Previously I worked with Dr Felicity Sedgewick at the University of Bristol to help develop training for university staff on the topic of autism and mental health. 

Do you plan to do anything related to the project in the future? 

I am currently working on a project about DLD and FE/HE - so watch this space! 

Any hobbies interests, achievements or fun facts about yourself?

I have a Shetland Sheepdog called Griffin, named after the first disabled player in the National Football League (NFL) (Shaquem Griffin, who was a linebacker in the Seattle Seahawks!). 

Department: Digital Education Team

Job Title: Digitial Education Manager

Department: School of Physics, Engineering & Technology

Job Title: Chair of the Board of Studies

Why did you want to be a part of the project? 

My interests in Pedagogic Scholarship include Inclusive Learning by design and this project expands this into the areas of student experience outside academic study. 

What has been your role in the DISCO Project so far?

Supporter- hoping to help implement improvements from the findings. 

Do you plan to do anything related to the project in the future? 

I hope to use the outcomes to support community building in the School 

Any hobbies interests, achievements or fun facts about yourself?

I sew quilts and contributed to the bicentenneial quilt on display at the Royal Astronomical Society. 

Department: School of Physics, Engineering & Technology

Job Title: Lecturer

Department: Chemistry

Job Title: Student Progression Experience Coordinator

Department: Education

Job Title: Associate Lecturer

Department: Biology

Job Title: Lecturer