I graduated from the University of Warwick with a Masters in ‘The Culture of the European Renaissance’. Studying at the internationally renowned Centre for Renaissance Studies at Warwick influenced my decision to marry my deep interest in cultural heritage and pursuing a professional career at the National Trust, Europe’s largest conservation charity. Choosing the Centre for Renaissance Studies and the course was easy; the interdisciplinary nature of the taught MA is unrivalled and the Centre consistently delivers excellent results in its research and teaching quality. In addition, the Centre draws on the expertise from a range of leading Renaissance experts and collaborates with other equally renowned institutions and organisations such as the Warburg Institute in London, Ca’Foscari in Venice, the British Library and the National Trust.

After completing a degree in English at the University of Leicester, I desired to return to an academic environment to pursue my diverse research interests in cultural heritage. However, it was important for me to study somewhere that encouraged both intellectual and personal development. The Centre for Renaissance Studies ensured that the MA provided many opportunities to develop key skills required to pursue further research as well as other professional careers. Soon after graduating from Warwick, I was asked to join the National Trust’s diverse Fundraising team as a charitable trust fundraiser. I then moved into a major donor role and began managing Quercus an annual giving programme for donors that give £5,000 or more to the National Trust per annum.

Since then, I have returned to Warwick Univeristy as a member of the Research and Impact Services team where I am currently the Research Strategy and Development Manager for the Faculty of Social Sciences.