Staff profile

I am Head of Research Development within Research and Innovation Services here at Durham University. I lead a team of research development managers and officers, in supporting academic colleagues across the Faculties to secure external research funding. My role involves; working closely with the PVC for Research to lead strategic funding initiatives across the university, liaising and contributing to all funder liaison groups, contributing to University Executive Committee, Research Committee, and Research Management Group, representing the University with various external bodies, and working with a wide range of colleagues across Durham with regards to providing research funding support.

The research development team can provide an array of support for your application, including (for example) supporting discussions regarding idea development, facilitation of workshops, training delivery, funder engagement, strategic development of funding plans, and provide critical feedback on applications. Their speciality is to provide support for large funding initiatives, which usually require sustained specialist support in order to be successful. Regardless of what stage of development your project is at, the team are always happy to come and meet with you to hear more about your research and how we might support you with this.

I was previously at Newcastle University for several years where I held a number of roles including in PGR support, business development, research group and conference management, as well as work supporting REF2014, before entering into a research development role. I have extensive experience of providing specialist support to successful external funding applications, including for large interdisciplinary initiatives such as the RCUK Newcastle Gateshead Urban Living Partnership, and Creative Fuse North East. 

I have a BA in Sociology (Strathclyde), and an MA(Res) in Sociology and Social Research (Newcastle). I also have completed the ARMA Certificate in Research Administration, and the ECDL. I previously completed the Aurora programme with the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education, and am now a role model for the programme.

Outside of Durham I work closely with the Association of Research Managers and Administrators (ARMA), where I am a member of the Professional Development Committee, I facilitate national training, co-champion the special interest group on research development, and am a qualification assessor.

Outside of work I love going back to Scotland to spend time with my family, am a keen cellist, and a big rugby fan.