I joined the University of Reading in 2017 as a Lecturer in the Department of Real Estate and Planning, part of the Henley Business School; I was attracted by the department’s worldwide reputation. Since this time, I feel particularly grateful and happy to work in a collegiate, diverse, and supportive environment.
I have been at Reading since 1987; I started out as a Lab Technician and in the early '90s I got the opportunity to become a glassblower.
I'm the only glassblower on campus. I design, make, modify and repair scientific laboratory glassware for both teaching and research for the School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy and other University departments, as well as outside companies.
I started at the University on a fixed term contract as a Programme Administrator at our beautiful Greenlands campus. I was a recent graduate, not entirely sure what I wanted to do as a career, but knew that I wanted to work in the charity or education sector, supporting others to achieve their goals as well as utilise my organisational skills.
I am an Associate Professor for English for Academic Purposes (EAP) at the Global Academy. My role primarily is to teach and support international students at the University whose first language is not English both before and during their degrees.
I am passionate about language and education and have never regretted this choice of career which led me to working in six different countries before finally returning to my own. I’ve taught on a range of exciting projects across state and commercial sectors, such as the British Council developed Peacekeeping English Project. These experiences and skills have helped me to connect with the diverse international student body at Reading. Students who would otherwise feel less confident in seminars, light up when you share first-hand insights of their culture or country. What’s more, my colleagues in the Global Academy reflect the diversity of our School with a fusion of backgrounds, interests, ambitions, languages, and qualifications.
