About
Professional experience
I have worked in universities throughout my career, starting as a research assistant at the University of Florida in the US. Much of my career was spent in the UK but I also enjoyed working in Switzerland for the University of Zurich and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. On my return to the UK, I spent 11 years at the University of Surrey in a number of different roles, including Pro-Vice Chancellor. From 2016 to 2021 I was Deputy Vice-Chancellor Learning and Innovation at Middlesex University in London. In this executive role I was responsible for learning, teaching and the student experience and held executive responsibility for the three international branch campuses in Dubai, Malta and Mauritius.
My interest in education and the quality of students’ learning experiences extends beyond higher education. I have served as governor at schools in the UK and sat on the board of a charity for care leavers. The experiences and life chances of students from underrepresented groups are particularly close to my heart.
Inclusive approach
I have extensive experience of leading large teams and working with colleagues and students across continents. A key responsibility in my leadership positions has been the improvement of student satisfaction and student outcomes. A particular concern has been to ensure equity of outcomes for different groups of students by offering an inclusive curriculum which engages students from a variety of ethnic, social and cultural backgrounds. As executive lead for student employability I worked with businesses, charities and government agencies to improve employment outcomes for students. In all my roles I have worked to forge strong relationships between students and staff to ensure sustainable innovation.
International education
Throughout my career, working with international students and ensuring students at home and abroad benefit from international experiences has been a priority. I have offered talks and workshops on international and intercultural communication at universities across the world. The views of students and colleagues across campuses have been essential in developing my approach to international education.
Qualifications and research
I have a Master’s qualification in English and German literature and linguistics and a an Austrian teaching qualification from the University of Innsbruck. My PhD is in Asian American literature.
My research covers core areas of development in higher education. I am particularly interested in the link between learning and assessment and have co-authored a book on quality criteria in language education. A further interest is the internationalisation of higher education, and in particular the learning interactions in multicultural and multidisciplinary classrooms.
Career in higher education
DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR LEARNING AND INNOVATION, MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY, London
2016 to 2021
As a member of the executive, I was responsible for the University's three international branch campuses in Dubai, Malta and Mauritius. I also had responsibility for the student experience, the enhancement and quality assurance of learning and teaching, and employability. The Library and Student Support Services, Academic Quality department and Employability Service sat within my portfolio. Widening access to higher education and ensuring an inclusive education for all students was a key focus of my work. I was the executive member in charge of the relationship with the Students' Union.
Pro-Vice Chancellor Learning and Teaching,
University of Surrey
2012 to 2016
As Pro-Vice Chancellor at Surrey, I worked with Faculties to enhance the student experience and ensure the continuous improvement of learning and teaching. I held responsibility for the Departments of Higher Education, Technology Enhanced Learning and Widening Participation.
Associate Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences,
University of Surrey
2011 to 2012
This Faculty-based leadership role entailed working with all departments in the Faculty to develop and implement University strategies in learning and teaching.
Head of department of languages and translation Studies, University of Surrey
2005 to 2011
I was responsible for the merger of the University's academic language departments and language centre into one large research-active department. The Department offered Bachelors and Masters degrees in Languages and Translation Studies and large institution-wide programmes in English and foreign languages.
Director of joint language centre,
ETH and University of Zurich
2002 to 2005
I established the joint language centre of the two Zurich universities. This included setting up a wide range of programmes for students and staff and creating the infrastructure for a modern, internationally competitive centre for the two universities.
lecturer in german,
Warwick University
1996 to 2002
My teaching and research centred on the institution-wide language programme for students of all subject areas. My main administrative roles were coordinator of German programmes and exams secretary.
german Tutor,
Loughborough University
1991 to 1996
In this teaching role in the Department of European Studies I offered seminars and lectures across a range of topics, including German politics, history and business. I also taught students in the Business School.