Biography

I began working at the University in 2015 as a teaching fellow and module co-ordinator for level 4 students on the accounting with finance degree program.  I became a senior teaching fellow in 2016.

In 2019 I became a fellow of the Higher Education Academy.  In 2020 I completed an MSC in Research Methods at the University of Portsmouth - my area of research was looking at the transitional expectation of students versus lecturers when studying at University.

Once I left school at 16 I started on a YTS spending time in various departments and finally ending up in the Finance department.  I moved from Industry to practice and over the next 15 years I worked in small/medium sized accounting practices.  During this time, I went back to education and obtained Btrec National, AAT and part qualified ACCA.  I enjoyed my role in accountancy practice and especially interacting with clients.  My work included preparing VAT returns, implementing internal controls, payroll, producing financial statements and computing taxation for sole traders, partnerships and LTD companies.  I became a manager and was involved in the training of trainee accountants.

My teaching journey began in 2002 at a local FE college.  During the 13 years there I taught a range of subjects including, Sage Accounting, AAT (levels 2 to 4), A Level Accounting and Business Studies.  I became a programme Leader of Accounting in 2010 and oversaw the delivery of all accounting subjects.

I went back into Industry for 2 years as a Business Manager for a family run engineering company.  This was a great opportunity for me to put into practice the theory that I had learnt and taught over the years.  Both my husband and brother are manufacturing engineers so this was an area I was aware of in and found the role both interesting and challenging.  I often bring my experiences of this to the classroom.

Whilst working at the University of Portsmouth I have co-ordinated various modules from one that 600 students to 150.  I have taught on all 3 levels of the accounting with finance degree and have been a personal tutor since 2016.  Currently I am the year tutor and personal tutor for level 4.  In 2019 I won the tutor award as part of the Student Experience Excellence Awards. 

In 2021 I was appointed as the BAL Learning and Teaching Co-ordinator as a secondment.  This enabled me to see the perspective of the student's experience from a Faculty level instead of a teaching one.  I enjoyed this role but found I missed the teaching so decided to return to it.  I have a better understanding of how the University considers the student's experience not just in the classroom but as a member of the University of Portsmouth's community.

Research interests

I am interested in the education of students whilst at University.  I have not been actively involved in publishing any papers but I am part of the University's BESIG group.  This has encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone.

Teaching responsibilities

Since joining the University of Portsmouth, I have taught all three levels of the UG Accounting with Finance Degree.  Covering Financial Accounting, Financial Management and Strategic |Management Accounting.

Currently I am the module co-ordinator for Essentials of Accounting (level 4) and Financial Management (level 5) plus being a member of the level 6 Strategic Management team.

I am a personal tutor and level 4-year tutor.

Education for me has been a journey from leaving school with a handful of qualifications to achieving an MSc.  Throughout my experience of education, I have encountered some really inspiring teaching which I try to implement in my teaching by challenging students to be curious whilst supporting them through their journey whilst at University.