Let's Meet... Karen Hudson

Please tell us a bit about your previous role.

Sure, I was previously at the University of Essex, for 12 years, in the role of Learning Development Lecturer in the Nursing Division. I’m not a nurse though! My role was to support nursing students with their academic and clinical numeracy skills. I loved supporting the students, particularly those with maths anxiety. Nursing students must score 100% in a healthcare numeracy assessment before they can register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, so it was great to celebrate with them when they passed it (especially when they thought they wouldn’t). I’m glad to say no-one ever failed the course because of their maths!

What attracted you to come and work at QMUL?

I guess after 12 years of doing a similar role, it was time to do something new. But at the University of Essex, I was also Academic Integrity Lead in the School of Health and Social Care. Interest in integrity in teaching and learning was something that pushed me to apply for my role here at QMUL.

I’ll be doing a lot of work on generative AI – whilst it’s something new to step into, I’ve always been interested in it from the academic misconduct perspective. It’s tricky negotiating the boundary between acceptable and unacceptable use. It’s a hard one to navigate, so an exciting opportunity to develop our thinking on that.

What are you most looking forward to in the job?

I’m looking forward to developing an online course for QM educators in generative AI for education. AI and digital literacy are part of the QM graduate attributes, so this course is going to offer a lot of capacity building for educators in use of AI for teaching and learning.

I look forward to hearing what colleagues are already doing with AI at QMUL. Colleagues who are already using AI in their teaching, learning and assessment can apply to become an Affiliate member of our new Centre for Excellence in AI in Education.

Is there anything interesting you are currently learning or doing in the role?

Yes, I’ve just redeveloped the QMA Community of Practice for AI in Education. We have a new Community SharePoint Hub with lots of useful information. I’d encourage staff to take a look and consider joining that.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy singing – my 1^st degree was in music. I’m an alto in 3 choirs – a concert choir and two choirs that go to different cathedrals to fill in when the cathedral choir isn’t available. My ultimate ambition is to sing with the BBC symphony Chorus, as I’d love to sing at Last Night of the Proms – I just need to find the time!

Quick-fire questions

• favourite type of cuisine

I'm from Lancashire, so always happy to have pie, chips and gravy, with mushy peas of course!

• favourite animal

I really like Guinea pigs (we have one who is now 5.5 years old!)

• favourite hot drink

A large morning coffee

• favourite phone app

It has to be Pokémon Go!

• favourite holiday destination

Gozo – liked it so much last year, when we went for the first time, that we’re going back again. It's a lovely island and wonderfully untouristy.

• favourite game

Wingspan – it's a board game and an app about birds