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Aurora Champion Directory

Each institution has been asked to nominate an in-house ‘Aurora champion’ who will help identify participants, mentors and role models, and be the main point of contact between Advance HE and the institution. Some institutions have chosen to split this role into two – one as the key figurehead for Aurora and one as the liaison point for the administrative details.

Aurora champions - who's who

Details of champions and Aurora liaisons from engaging institutions and sector bodies can be found in the directory below. To update your institution’s Aurora champion details or to register as the champion please email the Aurora Team.

Note: If your institution is not listed below, please email the Aurora team.

A

Abertay University: Dr Nia White, Head of the Graduate School and Caroline Hodgson, Learning and Development Partner.

Aberystwyth University: Ruth Fowler, Communications and Equality Officer.

The Alan Turing Institute: Nick Mann, Professional Development Business Partner.

Anglia Ruskin University: Rachael Cornwall, Head of Engagement and Development, Professor Aletta Norval, Deputy Vice Chancellor, and Jane Hay, Human Resources Manager: Learning and Development.

Arden University: Lisa Taylor-Clarke, Senior Lecturer.

Atlantic Technological University: Jacqueline McCormackTom ReillySanchia Morris, Cait Noone, Cathleen McMurrough and Sheila Giblin.

B

Bangor University: Tracy Hibbert, Director of Human Resources and Alison Wiggett Athena SWAN and Research Concordat Manager.

Bath Spa University: Melissa Mulhall Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor: Academic Planning.

Birkbeck College, University of London: Paul Mills, Learning and Development Advisor.

Birmingham City University: Hazera Koley, Learning and Development Programme Coordinator and Claire Walsh, Learning and Organisational Development Programme Coordinator.

Bishop Grosseteste University: Rebecca Bull, Small & Specialist Institutions and MASHEIN Project Director.

Bournemouth University: Christa Lippold, Head of Leadership & Talent Development and Vicky Kirk, Leadership & Talent Development Manager.

Brunel University: Survjit Cheeta, Dean of Culture and Inclusion and Beatrice Otudeko, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Partner.

Buckinghamshire New University: Professor Rachel Cragg, PVC Educational & Digital.

C

Canterbury Christ Church University: Amanda Maclean, Head of People, Culture and Inclusion.

Cardiff University: Hayley Beckett, Head of Leadership and Staff Development, Karen Cooke, Organisational Development Manager and Susan Midha, Director of Human Resources.

Cardiff Metropolitan University: Professor Cara Aitchison, Cardiff Metropolitan University.

City, University of London: Ailbhe Lynch, Organisational Development Adviser.

Coventry University: Jodie Morse, Organisation Development Manager, Avril Stanley, Organisation Development Manager, Grainne Hearne, Learning and Development Adviser and Lorraine Gearing, Head of Educational Strategies.

Cranfield University: Professor Lynette Ryals, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Education, and Lisa Caruso, HR Business Partner - Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

D

De Montfort University: Natalie Dunne, Learning Facilitator.

Dublin City University: Dr Anne Sinnott, Executive Dean, Faculty of Business and Lorna Greene, EDI Adviser.

Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology: Niamh Clifford, HR Manager, Claire McGing, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, and Mary Anne O'Carroll, Aurora Admin.

Dundalk Institute of Technology: Fiona Lawless, Head of Department of Computing and Mathematics and Hugh Nolan, Vice President for Finance, Resources and Diversity.

Durham University: June Hedley, Senior Organisation Development Manager

E

Edge Hill University: Prof. Jo Crotty, Director of Institute for Social Responsibility & Professor of Management and Chris Jenkinson, Aurora Admin and Amanda Herrity, Deputy Head of HR and Vicky Bosward, Interim Head of HR and Claire Fox, EDI Coordinator.

Edinburgh Napier University: Laurna Macaulay, Human Resources and Development.

F

Falmouth University: Prof Eunice Ma, Provost, and Rob Holmes, Director of Business Services.

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus): Paula Sanderson, Managing Director, and and Rob Holmes, Director of Business Services.

G

Glasgow Caledonian University: Alison Britton, Professor of Healthcare and Medical Law and Ann Tilbury, Organisational Development Specialist.

Goldsmiths, University of London: Fifi Badat, Learning and Development Coordinator, and Rachael Street, Organisational and Staff Development Coordinator.

Glyndwr University: Claire Taylor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

H

Harper Adams University: Andy Allen, Head of HR and OD.

Heriot-Watt University: Susan Galloway, Professional and Development Consultant, Julie Dickson, Head of Professional and Organisational Development, Mark Biggs, Vice Principal and Provost, and Ryan Renton, Senior Administration Assistant.

Heythrop College, University of London: Shade Olutobi, Human Resources Manager.

Higher Education Funding Council, England: Tracey Vardy, Human Resources Consultant.

I

Irish Research Council and Higher Education Authority: Dr Eavan O’Brien, Assistant Director.

The Institute for Cancer Research, Barbara Pittam, Scientific Secretary, Registrar and Director of Academic Services and Vanessa McKean, Athena SWAN Coordinator.

J

James Hutton Institute: Fiona Thomson, Head of Human Resources, Rupert Hough, Head of Department, Information and Computational Sciences, Alison Ross, HR Partner, and Gosia Konieczko, HR Service Desk Assistant.

K

Keele University: Emma Colley, Staff Development Advisor.

King's College London: Helena Mattingley, and Jennifer Hastings, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Projects & Partnerships Manager. 

Kingston University: Alex Herbert, Organisational Development Adviser, and Louise Hird, Organisational Development Partner. 

L

Leeds Beckett University: Sarah Swales, Aurora Champion.

Leeds Trinity University: Sue Carr, Head of Workforce Development and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Liverpool Hope University: Clare Talbot, HR Manager.

Liverpool John Moores University: Amanda Mannion, HR Policy and Projects Manager and Joan Graham, Organisational Development Administrator.

London Metropolitan University: Rosemary Benson, Staff Development Adviser and Amaechi Echedolu, Training Officer.

London School of Economics and Political Science: Professor Julia Black. Pro-Director of Research, Chris Watt, Head of Organisational Learning and Jacinta Stevens, Head of Organisational Learning and Development.

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine: Margaret Bentley, Head of Talent and Educational Development.

London South Bank University: Professor Tara Dean, Provost

Loughborough University: Lisa Dennison, Staff Development Assistant and Secretary for Aurora and Sarah Williamson, Deputy Director (OD).

M

Manchester Metropolitan University: Mona Patel, Equality & Diversity Specialist, and Amraze Khan, Equality & Diversity Manager, and Dr Justine Daniels, Director of RKE.

Mary Immaculate College, Edel Foster, Athea Swan Programme Manager.

Maynooth University: Sam Blanckensee, Equality Officer, and Suzanne Ryan, Learning & Development Manager.

Middlesex University: Anna Kyprianou, PVC for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and Lorraine Airey, Staff Learning and Development Manager.

Munster Technological University: Siobhan Kangataran, EDI Manager.

N

National College of Ireland: Mary Connelly, Director of HR Services and Deirdre McCarthy, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Training Manager.

New College of the Humanities: Sheena Van Der Merwe, HR and Operations Manager.

Newcastle University: Dr Liz Kemp, Organisational Development Lead (HaSS), Gillian Jenkins, Organisational Development Lead SAgE, Julie Bullimore, Organisational Development Lead, and Linda Robinson, Organisational Development Lead.

Newman University: Tricia Sterling, Executive Dean, Faculty of Education, Giosi Birkett, Director of Human Resources, Sarah Downie, Human Resources Adviser and Caroline Wrenn, HR Services Administrator.

Northumbria University: Sharon Stewart, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager.

Norwich University of the Arts: Professor Hilary Carlisle, Dean of Design and Architecture.

Nottingham Trent University: Rebecca Peat, Learning and Development Adviser.

O

The Open University: Roberta Davies, EDI Learning and Development Officer, Emily Stevens, Aurora Admin Champion - EDI Assistant and Fiona McGavin, Aurora Coordinator. 

Oxford Brookes University: Alistair Fitt, Vice-Chancellor and Abigail Reilly, Deputy Director Organisational Effectiveness and Development.

P

The Pirbright Institute: Lynda Moore, Head of Academic Affairs and Training.

Q

Queen Margaret University: Professor Fiona Coutts, Dean of School and Health Sciences.

Queen Mary, University of London: Laura Gibb, Chief Operating Officer and Katharina Smith-Muller, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer.

Queen's University Belfast: Paula Teggart, Talent Manager, People and Culture, Professor Jannette Elwood, Faculty Champion, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Professor Teresa McCormack, Faculty Champion, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Dr Donna Rogers, Faculty Champion, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences.

.

R

Regent's University London: Amy Gentles-McKie, Learning and Development Manager.

Robert Gordon University: Susan MacLennan, Senior OD Specialist.

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama: Heather Francis, Director of Human Resources.

Royal College of Art: Professor Darlene Maxwell, Head of Library Services.

Royal College of Music, London: Dr Diana Salazar, Director of Programmes.

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland: Professor Zena Moore, Head of School of Nursing & Midwifery, Catriona Campbell, Head of Staff Learning and Development.

Royal Holloway, University of London: Ellie Rayner, Head of Organisational Development, Professor Tracy Bhamra, Senior Vice-Principal and Lorraine Lewis, OD Officer.

Royal Northern College of Music, Professor Linda Merrick, Principal.

Royal Veterinary College: Professor Jill Maddison, RVC Aurora Champion, Ferhat Nazir-Bhatti, Equality Diversity and Inclusion Manage, and Nicole Hay-Carter, Staff Development Manager.

Royal Welsh College of Music and Drame: Professor Helena Gaunt, Principal.

S

Scotland's Rural College (SRUC): Irene Martin, Learning and Development Manager.

Scottish Funding Council: Kate Lacka, Aurora Champion.

Sheffield Hallam University: Sally Jackson, Chief People Officer, Laura Humphreys, Senior HR Advisor.

SOAS, University of London: Jo Bland, Deputy HR Director - Policy & Reward.

Solent University: Michelle Giles, Senior Business Partner - Organisational Design, Desiree Westdorp, Organisational Design Business Partner and Emily Isted - OD Advisor.

South Bank University, London: Professor Tara Dean, Provost.

South East Technological University: Yvonne Kavanagh, Lecturer and Dr Thomas O'Toole, Head of the School of Business and Anne Murphy, EDI Administrator.

Staffordshire University: Paula Cottrell, Director of Human Resources, Hannah Gibbard, HR Business Partner.

St George's University of London: Rebecca Henry-Litteck, Learning and Development Manager.

St Mary's University College, Twickenham: Felicity Morath, Head of Learning and People Development and Sara Amory Learning and People Development Partner.

Swansea University: Charlotte Morgans (Lead for Learning and Development)

T

Technological University of the Shannon: Marian Duggan, VP Equality and Dr. Carol Wrenn, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager.

Technological University Dublin: Dr Ashley O'Donoghue, Head of Staff Development.

Teesside University: Helen Cutting, Executive Director Legal and Governance Services (TU Gender Champion), Donna Rodgers, ODL Manager and Gemma Wilkinson, Organisational Development & Learning Coordinator.

The Earlham Institute: Christine Fosker, Head of Research Faculty Office.

Trinity College Dublin: Eileen Drew, Director of the Centre for Women in Science and Engineering Research, Claire Marshall, Programme Manager and Louise Power, Learning and Development Manager.

Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance: Louise Jackson, Head of Learning Enhancement.

U

Ulster University: Mark Latuske, Deputy Director Talent, Aoife Campbell, People Development Partner, Janet Peden, University Librarian and Deputy Chief Digital and Information Officer, Mary Hannon-Fletcher, Aurora Champion, and 

University College Birmingham: Clare Hayes, Deputy Director HR.

University College Cork: Anne Gannon, HR, Mary Horgan, Senior Lecturer, and Susan O'Mahony, Staff Wellbeing & Development Advisor.

University College Dublin: Fiona McGuinness, People and Organisation Development Specialist and Katharine Slattery, UCD HR People and Organisation Development Specialist, and Professor Regina Uí Chollatáin, College Principal, College of Arts & Humanities.

University College London: Patrick Sampson, Organisational Development Advisor.

University for the Creative Arts: Lidija Jones, Learning & OD Partner, Heather Spyrakis, Learning & OD Advisor, and Lucy McGuire, Learning & OD Coordinator.

University of Aberdeen: Professor Marion Campbell, Vice Principal (Research), and Clare Trembleau, Staff Development Partner.

University of Bath: Kate Elliott, Learning and Organisational Development Manager, Professor Linda Newnes, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Clare Pond-Barrett, Workforce Development Administrator

University of Bedfordshire: Dr Maria Kukhareva, Head of People Development and Tracey Massey, HR People Development Advisor.

University of Birmingham: Liz Leech, PA to Andrew Ktoris, Assistant HR Director, People and Organisational Development, Catherine Muller, Project Manager and Catherine Mangan, DVPC for Equalities

University of Bolton: Nicky Allen, HR Business Partner.

University of Bradford: Professor Uduak Archibong, Professor of Diversity.

University College Birmingham: Professor Alex Lofthouse, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Performance and Partnerships) and Claire Hayes, Senior Personnel and Training Manager.

University College Cork, Ireland: Mary Horgan, Staff Development Officer and Anne Gannon, Staff Welfare and Development Manager.

University College London and UCL Institute of Education: Champion tbc.

University of Cambridge: Sarah Foreman, Head of Maintenance and Dr Miriam Lynn, Consultant and Equality & Diversity Section.

University of Central Lancashire: Nikki Lambourne, Staff Development Manager, Helen Jones, Leardership and Development Manager.

University College Dublin: Joe Carthy, College Principal and Joyce McLoughlin People & OD Manager.

University of Chester: Kathryn Leighton, HR Manager, Development and Diversity.

University of Derby: Sharon Bell, Head of Discipline: Education, Childhood and Inclusion.

University of Dundee: Lisa Anderson, Head of Organisational,  Professional Development and Mary Shrimpton, Service Delivery Manager and Eithne Graham, Senior Organisational Development Partner. 

University of East London: Fitzroy Andrew, Senior Institutional Equity Officer.

University of East Anglia: Professor Sarah Barrow, Pro Vice-Chancellor Arts and Humanities and Gurpreet Gill, Senior Staff Development Officer and Laura Philpott, Organisation Development & Professional Learning Partner, Kate Bowden, Head of Organisational Development and Professional Learning, and Michelle Jones, ODS Administrator.

University of Edinburgh: Ruth Miller, Assistant HR/OD Partner, Learning and Organisation Development.

University of Essex: Bhavya Jhaveri, Inclusion Manager and Nancy Kula, Executive Dean (Social Sciences).

University of Exeter: Rachel Brewer, Learning and Development Manager, and Emily Morris, Executive Officer (HASS)

University of Exeter Medical School: Liz Rayner, Clinical Skills Tutor.

University of Galway: Aoife Cooke, Head of Equal Opportunities.

University of Glasgow: Dr Katie Farrell, Senior Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy Adviser and Professor Sara Carter, Gender Equality Champion.

University of Gloucestershire: Suzanne Middleton, People Development Advisor.

University of Greenwich: Derek Moore, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dr Clare Saunders, Associate Professor and University Director of Learning and Teaching. 

University of Hertfordshire: Serena Yeo (as operational lead), Senior Learning & Organisational Development Business Partner and Dr Mairi Watson, Pro Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience.

University of the Highlands and Islands: Debbie Wartnaby, Organisational Learning and Development Co-ordinator and Lorna Walker, Chief People Officer.

University of Huddersfield: Susan Branton, Athena Swan Lead.

University of Hull: Martha Kember, Head of Learning and Development.

University of Kent: Jena Dady, Learning and Development Advisor.

University of Leeds Katie Leeman, Organisational and Learning Partner, and Ruth Allcroft, Course Co-ordinator at Organisational Development, and Maria Stopyra, Organisational Learning Partner.

University of Leicester: Professor Paul Cullis, Professor of Chemistry and Chair, Athena SWAN Working Group, and Dr Leigh Anne Casey, Associate Director, Organisational Development.

University of Limerick: Marie Connolly, Head of Equality and Diversity.

University of Lincoln: Tracey Laing, Organisational Development Manager.

University of Liverpool: Carol Costello, Director of Human Resources and Sally Middleton, Gender Equality Officer, and Amie Boylan, OD Developer and UoL Lead for the Aurora Programme.

University of London: Elaine Walters, Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Operations for the School of Advanced Study.

University of Manchester: Dr Rachel Cowen, Senior Lecturer and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

University of Northampton: Frank Jordan, Head of Staff Development and Deborah Forbes, Staff Development Trainer.

University of Nottingham: Claire Cawthorne, Professional Developer, University of Nottingham.

University of Portsmouth: Professor Sherria Hoskins, Dean of Faculty of Science and Professor of Psychology and Education, Zoe Irvine, Organisational Development Manager and Maria Wall, People and Organisational Development Partner.

University of Plymouth: Hilary Iles, Training Assistant Administrator and Dawn Swancutt, PenARC Research Fellow.

University of Reading: Lynn Moore, Learning and Development Officer.

University of Roehampton: Jo Peat, Head of Educational Development.

University of Salford: Amanda Robinson, OD Administrator and Sonal Patel, Aurora Champion

University of Sheffield: to be confirmed.

University of South Wales: to be confirmed.

University of Southampton: to be confirmed.

University of St Andrews:  Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, Principal & Vice Chancellor, Rebekah Widdowfield, Vice Principal for People and Diversity, Sukhi Bains, Head of Equality and Diversity, Karen McGregor, Equality and Diversity Awards Adviser and Claire Wall, Organisational Development Specialist.

University of St Mark and St John: Lucy Pengelly, Head of Human Resources.

University of Stirling: Jennifer Paton, Head of HR Partnering.

University of Strathclyde: Julia Harrison, Equality and Diversity Coordinator, Annie McLaughlin, Equality and Diversity Manager, Beth Lawton, Chief Digital and Information Officer and Matson Lawrence, Equality and Diversity Lead (acting).

University of Suffolk: Professor Emma Bond, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Katie Tyrrell, Research Associate.

University of Sunderland: Katy Walker, Francesca CareyLynsey Bendon, Assistant Director - London Campus, Ilona Lewicka, HR Manager and Dr Helen Driscoll, Academic Director for Educational Partnerships.

University of Surrey: Zoe Gruhn, Director of People, Culture and Inclusion.

University of Ulster: Dr Mary Hannon-Fletcher, Head of School of Health Sciences and Clare Madden, Professional Development Manager.

University of Wales Trinity Saint David: Sara Mills, Learning and Development Manager.

University of Warwick: Anna Chapman, Organisational Development Consultant, Natalie Pocock, Learning and Development Business Partner and Charlotte Northwood, Systems and Administration Coordinator.

University of the West of England, Bristol: Ora Jacobs-Lange, Learning and Development Consultant: Digital.

University of the West of Scotland: Paul Martin, Deputy Principal and Caroline Baynham, OD and Training Adviser.

University of Westminster: Heidi Boahen, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Laura Dabner, Organisational Development Advisor Learning and Management.

University of Winchester: Carol Kilgannon, Director of Equality and Staff Development and Professor Sarah Greer, Vice Chancellor.

University of Wolverhampton: Professor Julia Clarke, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience).

University of Worcester: Louise Williams, Executive Assistant and Sarah Greer, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Gill Slater, Head of OD.

W

Wrexham Glyndwr University: Alison Bloomfield, Organisational Development and Adversity Manager.

Y

York St John University: Penny Foster, Head of Learning & Organisational Development.