What is your role and what are you responsible for?

I work as a Quality Assurance Manager, looking after everything academic approvals within EPQ. I’m responsible for managing our approach to approving courses, modules, and partnerships across the University, working within my small sub-team to ensure the service runs smoothly. I focus on developing policy and translating it into current practice, with an eye always on what could be done better. I’m also the Secretary for SLEEC (the University’s Student Learning Experience and Engagement Committee), which gives me a great opportunity to keep engaged with initiatives aimed to improve the student learning experience.

How long have you worked at Warwick, and what did you do before that?

I joined Warwick in 2016 as the Academic Administrator within the Centre for Lifelong Learning, working there until I joined EPQ in 2021. My time within an academic department has given me such a useful grounding for my current role, as I really appreciate and understand the challenges facing academic departments, especially those involved in approvals work. Before coming to Warwick, I worked at the University of Leicester in a number of professional service roles.

What projects are you currently working on, and what’s coming up?

Currently my two biggest pieces of work are the Curriculum and Partnerships Approval Policy and the Curriculum Management Project. With the Policy, we are aiming to streamline approvals activity and bring everything together into one helpful resource for colleagues. The Project aims to improve the systems used for course, module, and partnership approval – I can confidently say that no one is going to miss our current course approval system! On the horizon is further policy development and guidance drafting, all with the aim of clarifying expectations and supporting those involved in my area of work.

What does a typical day look like?

My day is usually made up of a mix of meetings, emails, committee work, project work and policy drafting – with copious amounts of coffee drunk along the way.

What’s your favourite thing about your role?

The work we do is varied, interesting and challenging – but the people are what make it all work. I feel very lucky to be part of a team full of such collegiate, friendly, and encouraging people.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Not to make it look too much like the end of my CV when I was 16, but I love all things outdoors, cooking for friends and family, and trips to the cinema.

What is your favourite book, and your favourite film?

I’m not one for favourites, but my go-to films (and the ones I’ve watched the most) are Bridesmaids and Midsommar – two ends of the spectrum for you there! The book series I’ve been recommending the most recently is Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club – take a look if you’re in the mood for a good laugh.

If you could teleport anywhere right now, where would you go?

Anywhere by the sea.

Cats or dogs? Tea or coffee? City or countryside?

Cats over dogs, coffee over tea, and countryside over city.

What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?

Life’s short – enjoy it to its fullest!