Head of Research Engagement - Edinburgh Earth Initiative

• May 2023 - Present

Head of Research Engagement - Edinburgh Earth Initiative

• May 2023 - Present

I work with colleagues across the University to lead the Edinburgh Earth Initiative’s work towards achieving the University of Edinburgh's climate related research growth ambitions.

Una.Resin Deputy Project Coordinator

• Feb 2021 - Jul 2023

On behalf of the University and the Una Europa Alliance, working alongside the Vice Principal International, I won funding for and now lead the €2M, 3 year, eight partner, EU Horizon 2020 funded project 'Una.Resin'. From initial concept development, writing the proposal, through to project implementation, I direct a multi-disciplinary team of senior academics and professional services staff from across eight European universities.The project ‘Una.Resin: Towards a common Una Europa RESearch and INnovation eco-system’, aims to further strengthen the research and innovation (R&I) aspect of the Una Europa Alliance, in synergy with the education aspects developed through the ERASMUS+ sister project ‘1Europe’.Una.Resin has received funding from the EU's Horizon 2020 programme under grant agreement No. 101017416, and is coordinated by the University of Edinburgh. Show less

Research Funding Manager (EU & International), Edinburgh Research Office

• Sep 2018 - May 2023

As the University’s lead for international research engagement, developed the University’s EU and international research funding strategy, covering research funding, research development and international research collaboration. This was achieved through working closely with the University’s International Relations Office (Edinburgh Global), key funders, external organisations, and strategic university partners. Additionally, I led the EU & International pre-award team (5 FTE), delivering specialist advice to enable the costing, facilitation, and development of research funding applications to non-UK funders of academic research. Annually, the team supported on average 450 applications to the value of £200m, leading to 240 individual awards totalling £60m.Strategy: In response to the changing external environment, I developed the International Research Strategy, which set out a series of initiatives aimed at growing the university’s international research collaborations, income, and outputs. Bid development and project management: On behalf of the Una Europa Alliance, I secured funding for and now lead the €2M, 3 year, eight partner EU Horizon 2020 (H2020) funded project ‘Una.Resin’.Service-optimisation: As external factors such as EU partner confidence led to a drop in applications to multi-partner (Pillar 2) EU funding calls, I focused team resources on proposal support for the high value (€1.5M - €2.5M) European Research Council (ERC) fellowships. In 2020, Edinburgh was the 3rd most successful University in the UK, recovering to pre-referendum levels. In the 2022 Starting Grant round, Edinburgh was 1st UK university, with seven awards.Business restructure: Following an office-wide review, I successfully implemented a restructure that merged all pre-award expertise for EU and international funders into a single team, a significant change for service users. Show less

Research Development Advisor, Research and Enterprise Services

• Oct 2015 - Sep 2018

As a member of the central pre-award team, I delivered specialist expert advice to academics and school research office staff on the planning, development, and submission of research funding applications to a wide range of UK, EU and international funders of academic research. Additionally, by building relationships with funders and key government bodies, I provided research development intelligence to senior management to inform strategic planning. As a member of the central pre-award team, I delivered specialist expert advice to academics and school research office staff on the planning, development, and submission of research funding applications to a wide range of UK, EU and international funders of academic research. Additionally, by building relationships with funders and key government bodies, I provided research development intelligence to senior management to inform strategic planning.

Assistant Grants Manager, Research Support Office

• May 2014 - Oct 2015

Based in the central pre-award team, I provided expert advice to researchers and research related staff to guarantee the accurate, timely submission of high quality, high return research funding applications. Based in the central pre-award team, I provided expert advice to researchers and research related staff to guarantee the accurate, timely submission of high quality, high return research funding applications.

Copy Editor, Translator, Tutor

• May 2011 - Apr 2014

Postdoctoral Research Assistant, Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry

• Sep 2005 - Nov 2010