Name: Michael Hammond

Job title: Reader

Department: Education Studies

Number of years at Warwick: 24

There’s no such thing as a typical day, but, in brief, my job involves...

My work in Education Studies work involves teaching, researching and administration. Each day brings a different mix and while I usually end up doing a bit of everything I do try to have days when my main focus is on teaching, writing or whatever. Part of my job is in the Faculty of Social Sciences where I have coordinated a Masters in Social Research. This leads me to work with colleagues in other departments and makes my job more diverse.

My most memorable moment at Warwick has been...

I came into university as they were looking for someone who had experiences of developing ICT in schools. This led me into leading a programme for specialist ICT student teachers. I was a generalist rather than a specialist computing person so this was not the most obvious thing for me to do. Over time I was able to develop that programme and work with really committed student teachers and a network of teacher mentors. For several years teachers from past cohorts would meet up with the new intake for a curry night on Ladywood Road. I felt so proud to be a part of that – there were so many people who had gone through the course who just seemed to like each other and wanted to help each other get on.

My saddest time at Warwick was when my colleague Ann Barnes died. She led the teacher training programme, we also co-supervised a couple of research students and published a couple of papers together. She was an inspiration to so many people, she was absolutely committed to teaching and to her students and I don't think I am the only one to say that I still miss her every day. There is more about her in a plaque in Teacher Education building and a small prize in her memory.

In my time at Warwick, the biggest change I’ve seen is...

Changes can be good or not so good but one thing I have noticed is that when I first came here there seemed almost a template of how to get on as an academic: look after yourself, be individualistic, perhaps a contrarian, and focus on developing your publications and your career. I think now most people recognise that you have to do more than that, you need to contribute to a department or the wider university. That is undoubtedly a good thing.

Warwick's kept me here because...

To be honest I have had ups and downs here, but overall I have learnt a lot and gained confidence by realising that I could do things I did not think I would be able to do. The wider picture is that over my working life I have had different kinds of work, I traveled a fair bit and also had to commute for a longish period, at times staying away from home during the week. Once I became properly settled in Coventry I simply lost interest in moving again. As for commuting, a big plus is that I walk or cycle into work in a matter of minutes – you cannot put a price on that.

At the moment I'm really enjoying working on...

I am doing a second edition of a book on how social research is carried out. The first edition was only six years ago but so much has changed meantime – particularly through the use of technology. I think also attitudes are changing and like many others I am so much more aware of the how social research was dominated by, as some of my students tell me, 'white men with beards'. There is so much to think about.

It would be really useful to work more closely with...

Schools and teachers – I did a lot of this in the past but my role has shifted over time.

I recently learnt that...

The Arts Centre puts on occasional creative activity events for young children and their parents or carers are encouraged to join in. I was looking after my granddaughter for a couple of days in August and we went to an activity morning together. I discovered I had an unexpected talent for sticking coloured paper and bit of straws to my drawings and I think this will serve me well in the future.

Warwick's unique because...

It is not quite unique but having the Arts Centre really adds a lot. I have been to many productions over the years and I have seen how it is valued by people in Coventry.

The best thing about working at Warwick is...

I particularly appreciate the work people do behind the scenes to make it all work: the colleagues who clean the offices and toilets, dig the drainage ditches for new buildings, provide catering, attend open days, work with schools, answer student enquiries, support teaching and so on.

If I could change one thing at the University, it would be...

Exams, when I invigilate I feel I am going back 50 years – not in a good way.

I'm really glad I got involved with...

Language classes and a staff walking group.

I make use of...

I am specially appreciative of the library staff – they are so concerned to get you the right book or resource and are unfailingly polite, even when I am being impossibly vague about what I am looking for. They remind me that this business of reading and writing needs to be taken seriously.

My favourite place on campus is...

When I was training for the Coventry half marathon I would run around all over the campus. I really liked the spaces around the sports fields, leading to the Greenway. It was quiet, very green and sometimes I could take a minute or two to see a cricket, rugby or football match.

Enjoyed hearing from Michael? Hear from some of our other Long Service Award recipients

"I particularly appreciate the work people do behind the scenes to make it all work: the colleagues who clean the offices and toilets, dig the drainage ditches for new buildings, provide catering, attend open days, work with schools, answer student enquiries, support teaching and so on."