Zoë Allman is Associate Dean (Academic) in the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Media at De Montfort University and a Principal Fellow of Advance HE (formerly the Higher Education Academy).
As an academic leader Zoë drives change through inspirational leadership, improving the experience of students and colleagues. Her philosophy is underpinned by stimulating interest in learning through technology and embedding employability to improve continuation and retention.
Starting as a Lecturer in Television Production, her responsibilities included module leadership and driving the university’s BBC link. As Principal Lecturer she led the flagship Media Production programme, driving curriculum improvements, enhancing industry links, and championing pedagogic change. Embracing cross-Faculty leadership Zoë became Faculty Head of Studies, responsible for ensuring and enhancing the experience of 3,700 students. A secondment to the University-wide role of Associate Director of Teaching and Learning saw Zoë assume strategic responsibility for important institutional projects to embed employability, reduce the attainment gap, and introduce Apprenticeships. Returning to the Faculty to deliver subject-specialist leadership as Associate Dean (Academic) she embraces an ever-expanding portfolio, passionately empowering 5,200 students and 400 academic colleagues to achieve individual and collective excellence.
Zoë’s academic background in media production and creative technologies still influence her practice today. Among other awards Zoë is most proud of twice winning the institutional teaching award, having been nominated by her students, and having been recognised for ‘teaching excellence’ as a university Teacher Fellow.
Presently Zoë leads the University’s strategic project aligned to Advance HE’s ‘Embedding Mental Wellbeing in the Curriculum project’ and the Advance HE Connect Network ‘Developing and Enhancing Our Academic Resilience’. She regularly mentors colleagues, acts as a reviewer, and facilitates development opportunities.
Zoë is passionate about enhancing teaching and learning for students and colleagues and always seeks new opportunities to develop her own skillset to share with and empower others.