Dr Theresa McKinven, MA, MSc, EdD

Theresa McKinven is Vice-Principal and Senior Tutor of Ustinov College, Durham University. Her role, held since 2003, is to be responsible for providing access to student support services for Ustinov College members all of whom are postgraduate and a large number of whom are overseas students.  Current projects include further developing the college's communication strategy, supporting engagement in volunteering through the Ustinov Intercultural Forum, and continuing to extend the college's academic community through the Ustinov Seminar, cafe discussion groups, and establishment of resident fellows.

Prior to this appointment she was Senior Language Instructor in the Language Centre at the University from 1999-2003 where she helped support overseas students to develop their academic skills and language. She has also held the posts of Adult Education Tutor at the Brasshouse Centre in Birmingham, teaching English language in a large FE College, and Curriculum Level Coordinator at the School of English Language at Bilkent University in Ankara where she was responsible for developing course provision for students preparing for undergraduate study in English and teaching English Language.

Theresa graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with the degree of MA in Drama and Literature. She subsequently gained a PGCE (Secondary English) from Heriot-Watt University, the Cambridge ESOL Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, and Advanced Diploma in Language Teaching Management both from Bilkent University in Ankara, together with an MSc in Teaching English for Specific Purposes from Aston University.  She has recently completed an EdD at Durham University, looking at the experience of residents in mixed-nationality postgraduate community.

Theresa was appointed as a staff member of University Council from 1 August 2006.  She is Equalities Representative of the Durham UCU Committee and a HERA panel member, and served as an AEA member of Senate from 2005-08.