The profiles below have been kindly provided by colleagues at Queen Mary and are published here with their permission. Email addresses have been provided for those who have agreed to be contacted as potential mentors to University colleagues.
If you are, or would like to be a mentor and would like to be included here, please complete the Mentoring Profile form!
What do you do?
I manage the 'year in industry' and all study abroad related programmes (outgoing and incoming exchanges as well as partnerships) at the School. I also oversee the student-led programme qNomics and line manage the qNomics Coordinator. I will soon be line managing another Student Professional Development Coordinator. Outside of my job, I am also involved in organising wellbeing initiatives for students and staff at SEF, and I am part of the QMUL coaching network.
How did you get to where you are now?
I moved to London right after graduation and I started working in business development for a startup, where I developed many transferable skills such as effective communication, negotiation, time management, and organisation. After 1.5 yearrs I realised I needed a career change, as I wasn't passionate about the role and the industry. I turned to higher education and landed a job as Placement Officer at SEF, which was a new role at the time and gave me the chance to apply my skills and was a perfect match to my interests and passions. After about 2.5 years the role was regraded to the current title.
Is there anything about your personal situation or home life which has had an impact on your professional life?
Living and working in the UK as a foreigner.
Are there any particular areas where you would feel particularly confident as a mentor?
Career development, problem-solving, goal setting, knowledge transfer, improving confidence
What have you found beneficial when it comes to developing yourself and your career?
Getting involved in different initiatives that aren't necessarily related to my work. This has given me the opportunity to develop new interests, learn new skills, meet new people and grow both professionally and personally.
Email contact: e.nova@qmul.ac.uk
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I manage and coordinate the day-to-day running of the Institute. I am involved in financial management, strategic development and planning, education, research and HR processes.
I was Deputy Institute Manager in the Blizard for just over 4 years, Before that I worked at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine for 15 years, over which time I progressed from Project Administrator to Department Manager. I've previously been on many training courses, including the CMI certificate in leadership and management.
Career development, dealing with conflict, and leading a team. eWhat have you found beneficial when it comes to developing yourself and your career?
I have always found it beneficial to speak to others in similar roles to mine, and also in more senior roles along the same career path.
Email contact: rachael.parker@qmul.ac.uk
I have line management responsibility for 4 people and support their career development, as well as supporting the career development of my students in the Institute of Health Sciences Education and the Institute of Dentistry. I also have strategic and operations responsibilities, collaborating with various academic colleagues within the Faculty of Science & Engineering.
I gained a BSc Business Management degree at University of Surrey, and have worked as a teacher as well as having a graduate role as a Business Analyst/Graduate Consultant in the management consultancy industry. I have since had many different educational roles in further education and most recently (the past three years) in higher education. I gained another degree-level qualification in Careers Education and Development, and have worked in the space of Careers for the last 6 years.
Developing professional networks, career development, improving confidence, actively seeking opportunities to train and develop yourself and others, empowering/inspiring others.
Networking! But most importantly creating a community of people/friends who can support you to get where you want to be. Whether it is my first ever mentor to inspire me to take the career path of working in careers, which I love, to the current leadership mentors who are supporting me to realise my potential as a future leader.
Email contact: stefan.couch@qmul.ac.uk
What is your role and what do you do?
I provide coaching, mentoring, and advisory support to current University students and recent alumni with entrepreneurial ambitions, on setting up and developing a new business.
I worked as a senior manager in a university, and in management roles in further education colleges; I also had my own business (a careers consultancy). I've become a qualified careers consultant, manager, and leader.
I'm a working parent. And have grandchildren. I've also faced compulsory redundancy - 3 times - and survived!
Improving confidence. Assessment of skills. Developing professional network. Career development.
Cardinal Basil Cardinal Hume, former Archbishop of Westminster, once said when asked to describe his faith: "If necessary, use words". Words are cheap. Behaviour is everything. Create a supportive, encouraging world around you - if not family, then selected friends, or like-minded entrepreneurs - just a few is all that's needed.
Email contact: d.tomas-merrills@qmul.ac.uk
My current role is to identify molecular and cellular targets for prevention and treatment of stress-related illnesses such as depression. I support teaching and mentoring in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.
I am a migrant and have worked for King's College London, University College London, and Queen Mary. I have over 6 years' experience in mentoring junior colleagues and supporting them in their career choices. I am a Fellow of the Institute of Clinical Research and of the Higher Education Academy.
I have been through several home situations which has had an impact in my professional life and I have overcome successfully and thus feel that I will be able to support others' success. These include family with cancer and other family difficulties, immigration problems, financial difficulties, a difficult divorce, and caring for a young child.
Improving confidence, developing professional networks, career development
Having an intelligent and supportive role model.
Email contact: l.carvalho@qmul.ac.uk
I oversee all areas of teaching and learning within the School. I manage a team of ten and work closely with academics across the School.
I have worked at Queen Mary since I graduated, but have moved around. Working in both central roles and in different Schools has given me great experience; when I look at each role I have held, I know it has benefitted from my experience in previous roles. I have completed an MBA in Higher Education Management and take every opportunity for management training that Queen Mary offers.
I am a mother of three, and have to manage working full-time with managing parenthood.
As a female, when I look back at my career I can see times when I have not stood up for myself and taken advantage of opportunities; learning from this puts me in a good position to help others. I have had positive experience from female colleagues I have supported in the past.
It is important to set time aside to focus on my own career progression to make sure I getting everything out of a role that I need.
Email contact: elena.moreira@qmul.ac.uk
I work in the central Research and Innovation team as an Impact Engagement Officer, supporting the Faculty of Humanities and Social Science. In my role, I support researchers to translate their research findings into real-world impact, by supporting applications to the QM Impact Fund and by cultivating a positive culture around impact.
I've worked at Queen Mary since July 2022. Previously. I worked at UAL (University of the Arts London). I started there as a Team Assistant on a temporary contract but was able to secure a permanent position and take advantage of the career opportunities in HE. A major opportunity I had was a secondment as a Digital Projects Coordinator, which allowed me to transition to a permanent position ata higher grade and ultimately helped me get to where I am today. It's great to have worked at a couple of different institutions in a variety of roles, as it has given me lots of different perspectives on the sector!
Email contact: evie.edwards@qmul.ac.uk
I assist Queen Mary students and academic staff with everyday enquiries (in-person and online), such as access rights, locating academic research material, printing, finding study spaces suitable for their work, and liaising with other academic departments and institutions.
I started working in Queen Mary's libraries in 2018, as a temporary Library Assistant. In 2019 I successfully interviewed for a permanent role and carried on working across the University libraries. I am now part of the Environment team (Frontline Services). In addition to that, I am a certified professional tutor through the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training.
There is always a solution for a problem, and there is always a way out of the dark woods. Consistency is the key to everything.
Email contact: c.kotorenis@qmul.ac.uk
I developing bespoke software solutions for the University used by staff and students, and support applications used for teaching and learning.
I have always been a techie lady and have spent last 20 years in various roles in technology. I have experience in the HE and Telecom sector. Since last 10 years, I have been working at QMUL in IT Services. As a BAME female, I found myself struggling to get heard in a male-dominant team. A few years back, I joined the Springboard programme offered by QMUL which was a 'eureka' moment for me. Since then, I have had coaching and mentoring, which have helped me to become more confident. I applied for a promotion in 2022 and was offered a new role.
I have learned that sometimes, you need a second pair of eyes to see things clearly and this is what I would like to offer others.
Being a working mum of 2 children was a difficult task. I decided to cut down my hours to focus more on my family. When my children became independent, I decided to come back full time.
I would like to mentor someone in career development, specifically BAME staff or women.
I found mentoring and coaching useful for my career progression. Liaising with the senior management team and building effective relationships was also important for my career progression. I do continuous learning from Coursera and LinkedIn Learning. 360 degree feedback from my team was very useful.
I manage a Level 6 one year programme which prepares international students for Masters studies within eight Schools at Queen Mary.
I have worked as an international teacher and examiner in 5 countries since 2008, before joining Queen Mary in April 2016. My role now encompasses a very wide range of management, marketing, and administrative activities as my team and I successfully prepare international students to embark on post-graduate studies.
I have no particular issues which might attract potential mentees. However, I have approximately 30 years' work experience so will hopefully be able to support a mentee in most situations.
I believe I am a good listener and have a lot of life experience in many different professional environments. This should help me to empathise with mentees' problems or issues. My job involves a lot of problem-solving, and I hope that this will prove helpful in supporting others to face or resolve their own issues.
I have always worked hard and proved that I have some stamina and determination when times are tough or challenges seem impossible. It is important to be very well-organised and to plan ahead. I believe I have followed these principles and would help others to do so too.
Email contact: jenny.brown@qmul.ac.uk
For the last few years I have been the Director of Teaching & Learning for Biomedical Sciences, which spans the faculties of Science & Engineering and Medicine & Dentistry. On the strength of my experience and interest in scholarship, I am now the Director of Scholarship in my School, which is a new role I have developed.
Although my academic career started conventionally with a PhD and postdoc, I then took a detour into lab management in core facilities before starting to teach, gaining my teaching certificate and then returning to an academic role focused on teaching and scholarship. More recently, I completed a part time MSc in education psychology at University College London while working full time at Queen Mary. I also completed the Aurora programme in 2019.
I have an affinity for people who are establishing their teaching careers or those who work alongside teaching academics. The Aurora programme has opened my eyes to empowering women in the workplace.
Say yes to opportunity, because you never know how something you experience today will help you in the future.
Email contact: jayne.dennis@qmul.ac.uk
I am assigned IT Projects to deliver; these can be wide ranging and diverse.
I have worked in a number of Higher Education organisations in Project Management. I joined Queen Mary in 2020 as a Project Manager, and have subsequently been promoted to Senior Project Manager. I have undertaken a number of Project Management related training courses over my career.
Improving confidence. Career development.
Being open-minded and welcoming to constructive feedback. Occasionally, I do remind myself that making mistakes is not necessary a bad thing - indeed, it's a learning pathway.
Email contact: j.berman@qmul.ac.uk
As Research Manager, I am responsible for the management of administrative services supporting research activities in SBBS, working with academic colleagues across a wide range of responsibilities to deliver our ambitious research goals. Working with the Faculty’s Senior Research Team, I provide high level professional advice and support for the ongoing development and implementation of School research strategies, innovation activities and impact strategies.
I lead on the operational support and management of research funding in SBBS, including financial reporting and management of bids and proposals, working closely with colleagues in central Professional Services including the Research Services Directorate, VP Research and the Innovation’s and Marketing teams.
My previous roles at Queen Mary include Faculty Administrative Officer, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Operations Manager (Institute of Health Sciences) and Centre Manager (Blizard Institute). Prior to that, I worked at SOAS as Programme Manager for the Asian Region, managing International Corporate Partnerships. All these roles involved line management of staff. I also hold an ILM qualification in Leadership and Management and have completed several Leadership and Management programmes.
Supporting the development of leadership skills; Enhancing employee engagement; Career development; Improving confidence and developing professional networks.
Networking; Speaking to other colleagues in similar roles to mine, and in more senior roles along the same career path.
Email contact: j.ryde@qmul.ac.uk
I act as a board member and support to the Senior Executive Team on making decisions around the organisation.
I participated in a graduate scheme in social care, then undertook roles in national policy development for the NHS and regional Commissioning Director-level roles.
Improving confidence, Black and Minority Student support, career development, career transition, NHS and Public Sector roles.
Building networks and using them to support and mentor me through my career.
Email contact: c.ncube@qmul.ac.uk
I support educators with trying new things in their teaching. This includes facilitating discussions and sharing sessions with other educators and professional service colleagues, often in the form of Communities of Practice or Thematic Peer Groups.
I've worked in education for over 25 years, starting as an entry-level teacher in the Further Education sector before moving into management and strategic roles as high as Assistant Principal. I moved into the Higher Education sector in 2017 as the Head of Technology Enhanced Learning at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and to Queen Mary in 2021. Last year I covered the maternity leave for the Head of Innovation and Learning in the Queen Mary Academy. I am part of the Queen Mary Coaching Network, I have a Prince2 Project Management qualification, and completed the Senior Fellowship of the HEA in July 2023.
I have moved institutions based on values, a sense of belonging and where I feel I can contribute. This can be challenging, especially when things change, e.g. restructures, change in line management etc., whilst you are in a role. I feel my experiences in this area help to shape my professional life, as I am more aware of what can happen and how I can react proactively (which helps with my own well-being).
I feel I am good at helping people to identify what areas they want to develop in their career and the actions they could undertake to do this. I am a big believer in enjoying the work you do, and that this sometimes means you need to question the status quo if that enjoyment begins to wane.
I believe just having someone to talk to about your career is one of the most powerful things that can influence a career. Whether this is a coaching approach to unpick things yourself or by listening to someone who has had some life experiences, having a another source to reflect with helps to get things out of your head! If the person you speak can also inspire you, that's even better!
Email contact: g.hathaway@qmul.ac.uk
As a Senior Teaching Technician, I work alongside academic staff to deliver an exemplary technical support service to our undergraduate programmes across the breadth of biological and biomedical sciences and their associated foundation degree modules. I act as deputy on biology and admin related matters to the TTM in their absence and provide an escalation point in the Fogg and /or in the Joseph Priestley (JP) building for any issues raised by the Teaching Technicians.
I have over 4 years of teaching technician experience at St George's University of London and Queen Mary; I worked my way up from Biology Teaching Technician to Teaching Technician Manager at Queen Mary. I'm currently a STEM ambassador and have completed the IOSH Managing Safely qualification.
Improving confidence and career development.
Gaining independence in my role as a teaching technician and being delegated tasks beyond the scope of my role.
Email contact: e.gammage@qmul.ac.uk