Biography

I am Associate Dean (Students) in the Faculty of Science and Health at the University of Portsmouth, where I provide strategic leadership for the student experience across a faculty of more than 5,800 students. My portfolio spans student engagement, belonging, learning support, continuation, progression, safeguarding, and educational enhancement, with a particular focus on creating inclusive systems that enable all students to succeed.

I trained and practised as a Diagnostic Radiographer, specialising in CT and MRI, before joining the University of Portsmouth in 2011. Since then, I have held a range of academic, educational and strategic leadership roles spanning teaching, student experience, recruitment, widening participation, employability, and external engagement. Alongside teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, I have led strategic initiatives to improve student success, strengthen inclusion, and enhance the student experience.

My research explores barriers to neurodivergent students accessing support in higher education through my Professional Doctorate in Education (EdD). More broadly, my interests focus on inclusive student success, belonging, neurodiversity, and the development of institutional policy and practice that reduces barriers to participation and achievement.

I contribute to the strategic direction of the University through membership of a range of institutional committees and working groups relating to education, student experience, equity and inclusion, recruitment, and student wellbeing. 

I am Co-Chair of the Neurodiverse Staff Network, supporting organisational change to create more equitable and accessible working environments.

I am a Senior Fellow of Advance HE, an Associate Editor for the Student Engagement in Higher Education Journal, and a peer reviewer for several higher education and healthcare journals.

Research interests

• Neurodiversity and inclusion in higher education
• Student success, belonging and continuation
• Inclusive student support and educational policy
• Inclusive leadership and organisational culture
• Educational enhancement and student engagement

Teaching responsibilities

I contribute to the BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography and Medical Imaging programme. I also supervise postgraduate research students within the MRes Science. My teaching and supervision are informed by clinical expertise, inclusive pedagogy, and a commitment to creating supportive learning environments that enable every student to thrive.