Joanna (Jo) MacDonnell is the Director of Education and Students at the University of Brighton and is the strategic lead for Student Achievement and Student Engagement. Jo is committed to improving the outcomes and experiences of widening participation (WP) groups by leading on an impactful institution-wide strategic action plan that focuses on student transition, retention, success and progression; and narrowing the ethnicity degree awarding gaps.
Jo is also dedicated to the evaluation of initiatives and understanding ‘what works’ in improving the differential outcomes for different group of students. The work Jo champions has gained recognition in the sector, the outcomes of the actions can be seen within the institution’s Access and Participation Plan 2020-25 datasets, which are showing the narrowing of all degree awarding gaps. Jo began her career in higher education teaching on and then leading Foundation Degree courses in Broadcast Media targeted at WP groups and has used the knowledge and experiences gained in this context to influence her institution-wide role.
Jo’s approach to a transformational education has supported a significant number of broadcast media students into employment in the highly competitive TV and media industries. Jo uses her knowledge of WP and ethnic minority student experiences in the wider higher education sector having been a member of the TEF (Teaching Excellence Framework) subject-level pilot panel for the arts and humanities. She is currently a member of the TASO (Transforming Access and Student Outcomes) What Work Centre Theme Working Group ‘Gaps in the Student Experience’ and was recently appointed to the Advance HE Race Equality Charter Governance Committee and is a panel Chair for the Advance HE Race Equality Charter.
Prior to working in higher education Jo worked at a senior level in broadcast television production and commercial theatre; within this career Jo developed high-level skills in organisation and management, emotional intelligence, and communication. Jo is an Advance HE Principal Fellow and Fellow of SEDA (Staff Educational Development Association) and also holds an MA in Education. Jo is a member of the board of trustees at the ArtsEd School, London.