What is your role, and what are you responsible for?

For part of the week, I’m a Policy Advisor for Curriculum and Partnerships, helping to oversee the processing of new and amended course proposals, including collaborative and degree apprenticeship provision. I also provide secretarial support to the Partnerships Committee, and support the progression of new academic partnerships and collaborations.

For the other part of the week, I work as a Student Engagement Officer, currently with a heavy focus on driving the National Student Survey (NSS) and preparing to launch the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) across the institution.

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

I’ve had a couple of hats prior to joining Warwick, starting with a marketing role for the recruitment agency Reed (I started on their graduate scheme, working for Mr Reed himself). Whilst down in London, I trained to become a primary school teacher, and did that for 13 years before joining Warwick in October 2022.

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

NSS and PTES are two massive current projects. The NSS is currently in the fieldwork stage, so we will be working with departments to help them meet and hopefully surpass their response rate targets. The delivery plan for PTES is now being finalised, ready to launch in April. And once the new Curriculum and Partnerships Approval Policy is finalised, I will be working to help support its implementation.

What does a typical day look like?

I can honestly say that there is no typical day – it’s so varied, and that’s what I love. My role in course approvals means that my days will generally involve working with departments to help pull together the documentation needed to progress new and amended collaborations and progressing course approvals, bringing in the relevant stakeholders where necessary. A few weeks ago, I serviced the February Partnerships Committee. It was a really interesting meeting, with attendees from some of our key partners. Then, preparation for the March meeting began almost straight away. The NSS was in its second week of the campaign, so I supported some departmental events to promote the survey, and also attended a couple of meetings looking ahead to the launch of PTES 2024.

What’s your favourite thing about your role?

I love the team that I work in – EPQ is a great group of people, and I am also so lucky to get to work with colleagues from across the institution too. I am constantly learning every day, and see that as a good thing. I have been fortunate enough to get involved in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and Institutional Teaching and Learning Review (ITLR) as well – this past year and a half with EPQ has truly been a baptism of fire!

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

We have two young girls (6 and 3), so anything with them – adventures out and about, or Lego, games and movies in. we try to make the most of our National Trust membership when the weather lets us. I do love the theatre, too – I have Stranger Things: The First Shadow and Hamilton lined up over the next few months.

What is your favourite book, and your favourite film?

Five People you Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom is one I have been back to more than once and would thoroughly recommend. Favourite film is trickier, it’s an eclectic mix: Gladiator, Gosford Park, It’s a Wonderful Life, all the Harry Potters.

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

Santa Eulalia in Ibiza wouldn’t be too much of a stretch for me, to be honest. It’s been a family favourite for a long time.

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

Cats, definitely. We’re hoping to adopt one or two again soon but, until we do, I’m the person who will stop every time I see a cat along the street and try to pet it using the universal cat call of ‘pspsps’. Coffee, and city (although the countryside is definitely a place to recharge).

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

Try not to spend too much time worrying about things that will probably never happen! 24 years later, I’m still trying to take the same advice. It’s a work in progress.