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What is your role and what does it involve?

I’m the Head of Public Engagement within the ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Engagement team where we enable brighter ideas through deeper connections with our community partners. My team looks after Public Engagement with Research andÌýTeaching. We do this by running core Funding, Training and Networking programmes along with providing support for individual academic projects across all of ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº.

How long have you been at ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº and what was your previous role?

I’ve been at ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº for just over three years. I still feel like I’m finding my way roundÌý– the research and teaching here is so vast and varied! Previously, I was Director of Outreach & Public Engagement for the South East Physics Network (SEPnet), a partnership of ten physics departments who were working together on their Outreach &ÌýEngagement programmes.

What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?

Project managing the Rapid Evaluation Advice and Learning (REAL) Service was a highlight. Camden Council were changing their services rapidly throughout 2020 and folks from our team, the partnerships team within Innovation & Enterprise and the Research Impact team came together with Camden Council to set up a service which matched Camden staff looking for evaluation support with ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº staff who had evaluation experience. The team was amazing, we learned so much from each other, playing to each other’s strengths. Camden staff were very satisfied with the support and ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº staff who volunteered their expertise found the experience rewarding and felt connected to our neighbours.

Tell us about a project you are working on now which is top of your to-do list?

At the moment top of my list is running our Beacon Bursary funding round, which is in its thirteenth year. I sit on the funding panel, so it’s a fantastic opportunity to find out what is going on with Public Engagement across of ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº. The deadline is midday on Friday 13ÌýDecember, so get your applications in!

What is your favourite album, film and novel?

• Kylie Minogue'sÌý´¡±è³ó°ù´Ç»å¾±³Ù±ðÌý– pop perfection.
• Julieta by Pedro Almodóvar – though it was a difficult pick with some of his other films.
• The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K Le Guin. I cried. Loads. So so good.

What is your favourite joke (pre-watershed)?

I only know post-watershed ones, sorry folks. I blame the company I keep!

Who would be your dream dinner guests?

Armistead MaupinÌý–Ìýhe’s so lovely. I met him a few times and his Tales of the City novels have gotten me through tough times. I’d also invite Christopher Isherwood too as I’d love to hear about his time in pre-War Berlin, and would love to get his views onÌýthe modern LGBTQ+ community.

Sandi Toksvig, as I met her once and she was so warm and so knowledgeable. Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P Johnson would finish the guest list. I’d want to find out what actually happened in Stonewall and get inspiration on keeping your energy up as an LGBTQ+ activist.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Come out soonerÌý–Ìýyou’ll have a lot more fun then!

What would it surprise people to know about you?

I used to be a transport planner many lifetimes ago. I even worked on early bus models of the 2012 Olympics.

What is your favourite place?

Anywhere up a mountain or hill. At the moment, some of the South Downs way ranks highly after walking the initial half earlier this year, but this is bound to change by my next walking trip! I feel terrible for my partner Andy who isn’t as keen a walker, but he’s getting better at keeping up!