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OUR PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT STAFF

Staff profiles page for Research and Innovation Services at Northumbria University.

Professional support for Northumbria's research community

Research and Innovation Services (RIS) provides dedicated, specialist support to Northumbria’s research community throughout the research grant lifecycle to help sustain Northumbria’s position as a research-intensive modern university. 

Support includes sourcing potential funding; aiding proposal development; providing guidance through the authorisation process; monitoring project spend; and assisting production of the final report.

RIS designs and administers research-related training programmes for staff, offers support for the commercialisation of research, co-ordinates the University’s ethical procedures and works with senior colleagues to ensure the delivery of coherent research-based policy and strategy.

The Service also supports the University’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) submission and co-ordinates ways in which the benefits and impact of Northumbria's research are shared with the wider public.

RIS provides professional support for strategy, policy and academic delivery of research and innovation; through a combination of central and Faculty-aligned provision, it supports academic colleagues and postgraduate researchers.

Explore our teams and find key contacts below.

RIS Executive

The RIS Executive Team lead and manage the RIS Service. Together, they work with University and Faculty leadership teams to implement the research & knowledge exchange delivery plan, respond to external requirements, and provide support to academic colleagues and the broader RIS team. They also work across the University to support broader requirements such as Health & Safety, Sustainability and EDI.

 

Jenny TaylorJenny Taylor

Executive Director of Research and Innovation Services

Director for Economic Development

jenny2.taylor@northumbria.ac.uk

As Executive Director of Research and Innovation Services, Jenny leads the RIS team, working closely with the Pro Vice Chancellor (Research & Knowledge Exchange) to shape and implement the Research & Knowledge Exchange Strategic Delivery Plans, and works with external organisations such as funders and government departments to understand and influence the research and knowledge exchange policy environment. Jenny also leads the development of strategic place based innovation and economic regeneration projects for the university identifying and accessing appropriate funding opportunities.

 

Michael ParkerPhoto of Michael Parker

Director for Impact, IP and Commercialisation  

michael2.parker@northumbria.ac.uk

Michael leads the research impact and IP commercialisation teams and is responsible for the development and implementation of University-wide approaches to support the generation of impact. This encompasses engaged research, impact in research assessment, public and policy engagement, and the commercialisation of intellectual property. The Impact and IP commercialisation teams work with colleagues across the university to evidence their research impact and help identify, protect, and exploit any intellectual property from their research.

 

Andrew PoolePhoto of Andrew Poole 

Head of Research Delivery and Compliance / RIS Lead for Oracle Projects Implementation

a.poole@northumbria.ac.uk

Andrew is Head of the Research Delivery and Compliance team within RIS. The team works with Principal Investigators across the University to manage and deliver our externally-funded research projects, providing expert advice, guidance and compliance support to our grant holders.  Andrew is also currently leading the implementation of new pre- and post-award research management systems on behalf of Research and Innovations Services. Andrew led Northumbria’s REF Delivery Team in the three years preceding our successful 2021 REF submission and his previous roles include Head of Grants and Contracts.

 

Jessica HolmesPhoto of Jess Holmes

Head of Research Development

jessica.holmes@northumbria.ac.uk

Jess is the Head of Research Development and leads a team of Research Development Managers and Coordinators who are responsible for supporting academics to develop high-quality research proposals and secure external funding. The team provides hands-on support to our academic colleagues, which includes supporting discussions regarding idea development, training delivery, funder engagement, strategic development of funding plans, critical feedback on applications, costings, navigating the approvals process and liaising with partners, as well as contributing to Funder Liaison Groups and Research Committees.

 

Laura HutchinsonPhoto of Laura Hutchinson

(Acting) Head of Research Culture and Integrity

laura.hutchinson2@northumbria.ac.uk

Laura is the Head of Research Culture and Integrity and currently heading up the Research Ethics and Integrity, Research Information and Systems, and Research Culture teams within the Research Policy team. Laura works with the team to support the delivery of our ethics policy, HRA and NHS Sponsorship process and compliance with the Concordat to Support Research Integrity; the development of the Research Culture Action plan and activity to support its delivery; and research information systems development and support. Laura's substantive post is Research Ethics and Integrity Manager.

 

Alisha Peart Photo of Alisha Peart

(Acting) Head of Impact and Engagement 

alisha.peart@northumbria.ac.uk

Alisha is the Head of Impact and Engagement and leads the Research Impact, Policy and Public Engagement and KTP Teams. The teams are responsible for improving impact literacy and empowering academics to effectively undertake engagement activities that will help them realise the real-world benefits from their research. The team provides hands-on support to our academic colleagues, which includes supporting discussions regarding Impact development, engaging with policymakers, training delivery, embedding impact and its evaluation into research projects, critical feedback on the integration of Impact and Engagement in applications, signposting to further support, and working with departments and UoA to enhance REF Impact pipelines.

 

Chelsea BrainChelsea-Brain-Web

(Acting) Head of Intellectual Property and Economic Development

chelsea.brain@northumbria.ac.uk

Chelsea is the Head of Intellectual Property and Economic Development. Chelsea's substantive post is IP & Commercialisation Manager.

 

Elizabeth Savage

Executive Assistant to Executive Director of RIS

elizabeth.savage@northumbria.ac.uk

Elizabeth provides executive support to Jenny Taylor and Michael Parker. Please contact Elizabeth for diary availability, matters relating to the RIS Directors and to inform of any upcoming deadlines that require sign off.

Research Policy

The Research Policy Team supports institutional alignment with best practice around research policy and culture, provides strategic reporting and ensures that our underpinning systems support our ambitions for growth and quality in research. The team works collaboratively and in partnership with colleagues across the institution on the related agendas of research integrity and ethics, research culture, open research, research evaluation, and researcher skills development and training. The team also ensures that Northumbria’s research has visibility through our research portal and corporate website and that achievements are recognised through the Research Excellence Framework.

Researcher Skills Development

This team develops and delivers learning and development activities and online resources for researchers across all career stages. Northumbria staff can access and register onto upcoming activities on the research development events calendar and research development intranet pages.

Samantha King

Researcher Skills Development Manager

samantha.king@northumbria.ac.uk

Working collaboratively with Professional Support Services and academic departments, Sam commissions, develops and delivers a range of learning and development activities and online resources related to researcher skills development. Supporting academics across all career stages, these activities and resources are designed to build collaborations, enrich skills, foster talents and to support people to reach their full potential here at Northumbria and wide in the wider world.

 

Edan PickeringPhoto of Edan Pickering

Research Culture & Development Coordinator 

edan3.pickering@northumbria.ac.uk

Edan supports the organisation and delivery of researcher development activities for academics across all career stages at Northumbria University. These opportunities provide academics with the skills and knowledge to enhance their careers. Edan also supports the provision of online resources, including accessible training videos and self-learn modules and is responsible for updating and maintaining the University's Researcher Development events calendar

Edan is additionally a RIS Induction Champion, supporting the onboarding process for new colleagues and coordinating quarterly RIS Induction meetings.

 

Administrator in RIS Research Policy 

The Administrator in RIS Research Policy supports the Research Policy team using a range of systems and processes to help with event planning, committee support, intranet updates, and research support enquiries management. 

 

Research Culture and Quality

This team supports and implements initiatives related to enhancing the research environment, culture and excellence across the University.

 

Kevin RichardsonPhoto of Kevin Richardson

Research Culture & Quality Manager

kevin2.richardson@northumbria.ac.uk

Kevin has experience in the ongoing maintenance and implementation of key University wide research systems, and closely supported the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. Kevin leads projects and initiatives designed to enhance the research environment across the University and support our academic staff to deliver the highest quality research.

 

Ellen Cole

Research Culture & Quality Manager

ellen.s.cole@northumbria.ac.uk

Ellen leads on initiatives that enhance the research environment across the University, and support our academic staff to deliver the highest quality research. This includes developing the University’s research culture action plan, and the systems and services that support internal and external research assessment processes.  Ellen takes an active interest in open research and participates in both University and sector-wide initiatives to increase access to academic research publications and their underlying data, and implementation of principles of responsible research assessment.

 

Lauren McDonald

Research Culture & Development Coordinator

lauren2.mcdonald@northumbria.ac.uk

Lauren supports activity related to Research Culture & Quality.

 

Research Ethics and Integrity

This team offers support and guidance using the online research ethics application system, external ethical approvals and compliance, and can advise on best practice for the ethical conduct of research at Northumbria. For general ethics queries, you can also contact the team inbox at ethicssupport@northumbria.ac.uk or visit the Ethics and Integrity webpage. If you have a research integrity issue to report you can contact laura.hutchinson2@northumbria.ac.uk

 

Laura HutchinsonPhoto of Laura Hutchinson

Research Ethics and Integrity Manager

laura.hutchinson2@northumbria.ac.uk

Laura supports the research ethics approvals processes, advising on best practice, external regulations and frameworks related to research ethics and integrity, including research requiring external ethical approval. Laura works in collaboration with academic and professional support colleagues to embed research integrity at Northumbria through the Ethics Steering Group, Faculty Research Ethics Committees and Research Ethics Committee (acting as secretary).

 

Gill Drinkald

Research Policy Coordinator

gill.drinkald@northumbria.ac.uk

Gill supports a wide range of activities linked to supporting research ethics systems and processes.  These include: validating, extracting and analysing management information; supporting staff to use research systems effectively through guidance and training; providing ongoing support to Research Policy Team events and training; supporting the process of NHS REC and HRA approvals; liaising with colleagues in other Services to support ethics and governance processes; and secretarial support University and Faculty Research Ethics Committees, as well as Ethics Steering Group.

Gill supports Department Ethics Leads in their use of the online ethics system for ethical approval, triage of ethics applications in the new Ethics Online System (launch date October 2022), and coordination of a College of Reviewers to link with new ethics framework and policy.

Gill consults and provides support to Faculty Research Ethics Directors and Department Ethics Leads in relation to ethical approval and internal and external governance requirements related to research ethics and integrity.

 

Hala OthmanPhoto of Hala Othman

Research Policy Coordinator (Ethics and Researcher Development)  

hala.othman@northumbria.ac.uk.

Hala assists users with the Ethics Online System, offering support and guidance on how best to use the system effectively whilst triaging applications. She has a developed understanding of frameworks and regulations pertaining to research integrity and development at Northumbria, sharing resources and information on this. She also offers administrative support surrounding establishing an ethical culture within the university, through the Ethics Steering Group and Faculty Research Ethics Committees.

 

Research Information and Systems

This team provides help and advice on data integrations, research data management and reporting, or support for users of research systems including Pure. For general PureSupport enquiries, please contact puresupport@northumbria.ac.uk.

 

Peter Cammish

Research Information & Systems Manager

peter.cammish@northumbria.ac.uk

Peter manages data and information related to research systems. This includes our main research information system Pure as well as working with other research support systems such as Worktribe and Ethics Online.  With a strong interest in data management and better utilising information for decision making, Peter is actively implementing ways to streamline integration and reporting of research data and metrics.  Peter can offer help and advice on data integrations, research data management and reporting as well as support for users of research systems.

 

Paul Mitchell

Research Policy & Systems Coordinator

paul.mitchell@northumbria.ac.uk

Paul supports the maintenance and development of the University research information system and repository of scholarly publications, Pure.  Paul offers advice and assistance to academics updating their research profiles via Pure and supports the production of institutional research data and reports.

Research Content and Communications

Peter StylePhoto of Peter Style

Research Content and Communications Officer

peter.style@northumbria.ac.uk

Peter works closely with Northumbria’s Academic leads, predominantly the Interdisciplinary Research Themes (IDRTs) and Peaks of Research Excellence. He supports with leading and identifying projects to communicate their research and outcomes to different audiences. Aligned to Research and Innovation Services, Peter oversees the production process for digital projects and publications, supporting the identification of target audiences and creating digital content for webpages, social media, event notifications and briefings to enhance Northumbria's growing research profile. Peter has a broad background in Project Management, Communications Delivery and Event Management, with a love of seeing the research of Northumbria University reach National and International audiences.

Research Development

The research development team, comprising Research Development Managers, Pre-Award Coordinators and Administrators, offers support for research grant applications from ideas right through to submission.This includes supporting discussions regarding idea development, training delivery, funder engagement, strategic development of funding plans, critical feedback on applications, costings, navigating the approvals process and liaising with partners. 

Research Development Team

Research Development Managers (RDMs) provide specialist expertise in relation to the domestic and international research funding, work closely with a variety of research funders, academics and their non-academic partners and provide professional project management skills to catalyse and coordinate activity to enable the development and submission of strategic and large value collaborative funding proposals. RDMs are primarily funder-aligned, supporting strategic/complex funding opportunities, specifically in relation to their designated funders across the university. 

For Horizon Europe Pillar 1 & 2 calls, and larger UKRI-wide calls, please contact the faculty-aligned Research Development Manager in the first instance.

 

Selina SuttonPhoto of Selina Sutton

Research Development Manager

selina.sutton@northumbria.ac.uk

Funder alignment: ESRC and British Academy

Strategic/Faculty leadership support: Business & Law

 

David Young

Photo of David Young

Research Development Manager

david.g.young@northumbria.ac.uk

Funder alignment: STFC, EPSRC, NERC, Royal Society

Strategic/Faculty leadership support: Engineering & Environment

 

Ian Shovlin

Research Development Manager

ian.shovlin@northumbria.ac.uk

Funder-alignment: AHRC, Leverhulme, Nuffield, ISRF

Strategic/Faculty leadership support: Arts, Design & Social Sciences

 

Sarah ThomasPhoto of Sarah Thomas

Research Development Manager

sarah3.thomas@northumbria.ac.uk

Funder-alignment: ARIA, Innovate UK, Research England

Strategic/Faculty leadership support: No direct faculty alignment, support given as appropriate.

 

Scott McGee 

Scott-McGee-Web

Research Development Manager

scott.mcgee@northumbria.ac.uk

Funder alignment: MRC, NIHR, BBSRC, Wellcome Trust, Academy of Medical Sciences, NIH

Strategic/Faculty leadership support: Health & Life Sciences

Scott is additionally a RIS Induction Champion, supporting the onboarding process for new colleagues.

 

Jack PalmerPhoto of Jack Palmer

Research Development Manager

jack.palmer@northumbria.ac.uk

Funder alignment: TBC

Strategic/Faculty leadership support: TBC

 

Andrew Latimer

Research Development Officer

andrew.latimer@northumbria.ac.uk

Andrew provides support to researchers to develop and secure external research grants via the provision of specialist support at every stage of the pre-award process, including guidance on preparing/checking the components, structure and content of the proposal.

Andrew is additionally a RIS Induction Champion, assisting with the onboarding process for new colleagues.

 

Victoria Boon

Research Development Officer

victoria.boon@northumbria.ac.uk

Victoria provides support to researchers to develop and secure external research grants via the provision of specialist support at every stage of the pre-award process, including guidance on preparing/checking the components, structure and content of the proposal. 

 

Carolyn Taylor

Research Officer

carolyn2.taylor@northumbria.ac.uk

Carolyn provides support to academic leads of the IDRTs, specifically working within Northumbria’s diverse research communities to raise research reputation and increase successful funding outcomes.

IDRT alignments: Gendered Violence and AbuseSpaceExtreme Environments

 

Steve Bremner

Research Officer 

steve2.bremner@northumbria.ac.uk

Steve provides support to academic leads of the IDRTs, specifically working within Northumbria’s diverse research communities to raise research reputation and increase successful funding outcomes.

IDRT alignments: BioFuturesGlobal Development FuturesUrban Futures.

Steve is additionally a RIS Induction Champion, supporting the onboarding process for new colleagues and maintaining the RIS Induction webpages.

 

Beth Courtney

Student Placement, Research Development Team

beth2.courtney@northumbria.ac.uk

Beth joined the Research Development Team for her 2023/24 placement year as part of her Criminology degree at Northumbria University. Beth supports the Research Development Managers with administrative tasks as well as support with internal and external meetings.

 

David McPherson

Student Placement, Research Development Team

david2.mcpherson@northumbria.ac.uk

David joined the Research Development Team for his 2022/23 placement year as part of his Business Management degree at Northumbria University, and continues to support the Research Development Managers with administrative tasks.

Pre-Award

Our Pre-Award team provides expert advice and guidance to researchers applying for externally funded research applications.  Pre-Award support includes the coordination of project costings, approvals, compliance checks, due diligence, and lay review. 

 

Susan Duffy

Pre Award Coordinator - Team Lead

susan.duffy@northumbria.ac.uk

Susan is Team Lead of the Pre Award Section and has worked at the university for over 20 years and within Research approx 10 years so has a good broad understanding of the Services supporting academics across the university

 

Sarah Agnew

ADSS/HLS - Research Support Officer (Pre Award)

sarah.agnew@northumbria.ac.uk

Departmental support: Arts; Design; Humanities; Nursing, Midwifery & Health

Sarah provides support to academic staff across all 4 faculties. 

 

Andrew PearcePhoto of Andrew Pearce

EE - Pre-Award Coordinator

andrew.pearce@northumbria.ac.uk

Departmental support: Mechanical & Construction Engineering (MCE)

Andy has supported academic staff across all 4 faculties.

 

Maureen McCourt

EE - Pre Award Coordinator

maureen.mccourt@northumbria.ac.uk

Departmental support: Leadership & HRM; Accounting & Financial Management; Entrepreneurship & Innovation Strategy

Maureen has provided support to academic staff across all 4 faculties.

 

Alex Okike

Research Support Officer (Pre-Award)

alex.okike@northumbria.ac.uk

Departmental support: Computer and Information Sciences (CIS); Maths, Physics & Electrical Engineering (MPEE).

Alex has provided support to academic staff across all 4 faculties.

 

James Vesty 

Research Support Officer (Pre-Award)

james.vesty@northumbria.ac.uk

Departmental support: Law; Psychology; Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation; Marketing, Operations & Systems 

 

Vira Levkivska 

Research Support Officer (Pre-Award)

vira.levkivska@northumbria.ac.uk

Departmental support: Applied Sciences; Architecture & Built Environment

 

Simon Cochrane

Research Support Officer (Pre-Award)

simon.j.cochrane@northumbria.ac.uk

Departmental support: Social Sciences; Geography & Environmental Sciences; Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing (SWECW).

 

Tier 1 applications for external funding (typically under £25k)

The team members below provide support and guidance to Tier 1 (typically under £25k) applications for external funding. This support includes the coordination of project costings, approvals and compliance checks:

 

Carol Bennett

Pre-Award Administrator (EE, BL)

carol.bennett@northumbria.ac.uk

Faculty support: Business & Law; Engineering & Environment 

Carol provides support to academic staff with external funding applications, specifically Business and Law (BL) and Engineering and Environment (EE) with Tier 1 funding.  Carol can provide support with costing in line with funder guidelines, institutional approval processes, Worktribe queries and submitting via external submission systems. In addition, Carol assists with Departmental financial support via SAP and Coupa. Carol has over twenty years' experience in Higher Education and has been part of Research and Innovation Services since 2013.

 

Jessica O'Donnell

Pre Award Administrator (ADSS, HLS)

jessica2.odonnell@northumbria.ac.uk

Faculty support: Arts, Design & Social Sciences; Health & Life Sciences

Jessica provides support to academic staff for external funding applications and is the primary contact for Tier 1 funding for Arts, Design and Social Sciences (ADSS), and Health and Life Sciences (HLS). Jessica can provide support with costing in-line with funder guidelines; institutional approval processes; Worktribe queries; and submitting via external submission systems.

 

Worktribe/Oracle Implementation

The RIS Worktribe and Oracle Implementation Team is working with colleagues in IT, Finance and HR to introduce new pre- and post-award research management systems to Northumbria. Worktribe is a cloud-based software platform designed specifically for UK Higher Education and is currently used by 46 HEIs, including Edinburgh, Durham, Imperial, Nottingham, UCL, York and Birmingham.  The pre-award module provides a platform for developing complex grants involving multiple parties and costing and pricing scenarios.  Oracle Projects forms part of the Oracle Fusion ERP system which will, when fully implemented, manage all of Northumbria’s HR, procurement, finance and externally funded projects.

Kelly WilkinsonPhoto of Kelly Wilkinson

Research Delivery Coordinator

kelly.wilkinson@northumbria.ac.uk

Kelly is currently seconded to the Oracle Implementation team, working with colleagues from IT, Finance and Oracle Consulting, designing and testing the project management functionality of the ERP system. She is also manging the migration of project data from our current finance system SAP to ensure a seamless transfer when the new system goes live. She has created multiple central sources for collating important project information such as claim deadlines, forecasts, documentation and more. Kelly also continues to look at ways of improving the management of information, until new systems are in place. Kelly is also an experienced research delivery coordinator and provides additional support to colleagues in the faculties during busy periods as well as provide training to new team members. 

Research Delivery

The Research Delivery Team provides financial management, guidance and support for externally funded research, consultancy and CPD projects.  The team are responsible for providing support for the PI throughout the project lifetime. This includes creating project accounts (internal orders) for each grant; managing the finances of projects within funder and University guidelines; providing updates on expenditure, forecasted future spending and income received; compiling claims and supporting internal and external audits. The team also liaises with Legal Services to assist with collaboration agreements and contracts for projects.

Wendy Anderson

Research Delivery Manager

wendy.anderson@northumbria.ac.uk

Wendy provides expert advice and guidance on all aspects of post award and leads on the continued improvement of procedures across the Team to ensure they are efficient, effective, meet changing needs and reflect best practice.  Wendy provides high quality reports and financial returns as required.

Research Delivery Officers

Sarah LordPhoto of Sarah Lord

Research Delivery Officer

sarah.lord@northumbria.ac.uk

Sarah provides support on complex, multi-partner research grants, and assistance with internal university policies and processes for the successful start-up of an externally funded grant. Sarah’s specialist areas include financial management of research grants in line with funders terms and conditions along with funder reporting requirements. Sarah is able to provide specific expertise around audits and audit preparation as well as collaboration with external partners to maximise the successful delivery of a grant.

 

Karen FinleyPhoto of Karen Finley

Research Delivery Officer

karen.finley@northumbria.ac.uk

Karen provides support to PIs on complex research grants, including financial management, budget monitoring, claims and audits, forecasting and reporting. Karen supports Academic colleagues in managing their budgets, offering advice and guidance on internal policies and procedures, and funder regulations. Karen works closely with partners to ensure successful delivery of the grant.

 

Rachel Sibley

Research Delivery Officer

rachel.sibley@northumbria.ac.uk

Rachel joined the team in July 2023 after previously working in both pre & post award at Newcastle University. Rachel will work closely with PI’s and academic colleagues to project manage externally funded research and knowledge exchange with a diverse range of funders and partners. Rachel will maintain an oversight of project budgets and expenditure which will include budget monitoring, forecasting and reporting. Rachel will also provide guidance and support to ensure research milestone and deliverables are met whilst adhering to funder terms and conditions and internal procedures and policies.

Research Delivery Coordinator

Kelly WilkinsonPhoto of Kelly Wilkinson

Research Delivery Coordinator

kelly.wilkinson@northumbria.ac.uk

Kelly provides central support across the team. She has created and now maintains central sources for collating important project information such as claim deadlines, forecasts, documentation and more. Kelly also continues to look at ways of improving the management of information, until new systems are in place. Kelly is also an experienced research delivery coordinator and provides additional support to colleagues in the faculties during busy periods as well as provide training to new team members.

Faculty Research Delivery Coordinators

Maya Duncanson

Photo of Maya Duncanson

BL Research Delivery Coordinator

maya.duncanson@northumbria.ac.uk

Maya provides Post Award support to the Business and Law Faculty, working closely with PIs on various externally funded projects including those funded by European Commission, British Academy, Leverhulme Trust, Innovate UK and other collaborative partners. Maya provides expenditure reports and statements to funders and liaises with PIs on post award matters such as budget and spend, quarterly forecast on live projects and audit preparation.

 

Andrea Reynolds

EE Research Delivery Coordinator

andrea.reynolds@northumbria.ac.uk

Andrea provides post award support to project teams in the Engineering & Environment Faculty from award through to closure.  Andrea provides support with tasks such as budget updates, claim preparation, invoicing, compliance with funder guidelines, coordination of audits, budget forecasting and reprofiling. Andrea has experience of European Funding and is keen to support colleagues to optimise their grants and deliver successful projecs. 

 

Lynn RetallickPhoto of Lynn Retallick

EE Research Delivery Coordinator

lynn.retallick@northumbria.ac.uk

Lynn offers project and financial management skills and expertise to assist in the successful delivery of Research Grants awarded by external funding bodies. Lynn has experience in grant management of revenue and capital projects, forecasting & budgetary control, funding claims/ reporting, compliance and audit and assists PIs to ensure research grants are utilised to their full potential. Lynn works closely with research partners and colleagues within all support areas, to keep research projects on track and successful.

 

Bukunola Adekolu

HLS Research Delivery Coordinator

bukunola.adekolu@northumbria.ac.uk

Bukunola supports research projects, managing all aspects of budget and spend monitoring, compliance, claims and invoicing, financial reporting, contracts and procurement. Bukunola’s experience before Northumbria covered programme operational management of donor-funded international development programmes across Africa and the Middle East.

 

Michael BatyPhoto of Michael Baty

HLS Research Delivery Coordinator

michael.baty@northumbria.ac.uk

Michael provides post award support, financial management and administration of research projects, within the Health & Life Sciences Faculty, mainly overseeing the departments of Applied Sciences and Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing.  Michael prepares financial statements for both internal and external stakeholders, and monitors project accounts to ensure we comply with both funding and financial regulations, including audit preparation as required, and assists in the preparation of quarterly forecast reports for faculty.

 

Paul Beal

Research Delivery Coordinator (HtGPhoto of Paul Beal)

p.beal@northumbria.ac.uk

Paul Beal is the research delivery coordinator for the Help to Grow management programme, a course delivered with the Chartered Association of Business Schools to support small and medium businesses. Paul works closely with the programme PI to deliver budget monitoring and project forecasting, financial reports on spending, claim preparation, invoicing, audit preparation and ensuring expenditure compliance.

Paul is additionally a RIS Induction Champion, supporting the onboarding process for new colleagues.

 

Andrea Palfreeman

EE Research Delivery Coordinator

andrea.palfreeman@northumbria.ac.uk

Andrea provides post award support for externally funded awards which includes monitoring spend against budgets, claims and invoicing, financial reporting, and audit preparation. Andrea works with PI’s to offer advice and guidance on funder and University rules and regulations.

 

Kirsty HoeyPhoto of Kirsty Hoey

ADSS / BL / EE / HLS Research Delivery Coordinator

kirsty.hoey@northumbria.ac.uk

Kirsty currently provides support for the CPD and Consultancies across all four faculties.  Kirsty is responsible for the claims, invoicing, reporting and forecasting.  Prior to working in RIS, Kirsty was part of the HLS faculty resource team and coordinated the IAPT project, providing project support and management.

 

Emma CrowleyPhoto of Emma Crowley

HLS Research Delivery Coordinator

emma.crowley@northumbria.ac.uk

Emma supports research projects, managing all aspects of budget and spend monitoring, compliance, claims and invoicing, financial reporting, contracts and procurement.  Emma was previously an ERDF Coordinator for the NEBS2 Project, working with the Placements and Internships Team within Graduate Futures, and the Grants and Contracts Team within Research and Innovation Services. Emma has managed several large-scale, multi-party projects, including a multi-million-pound, 5-year Innovate UK, DASA and an ERDF project through BIC, in addition to managing the SME’s financial accounts.

 

Adam Dixon

ADSS Research Delivery Coordinator

adam7.dixon@northumbria.ac.uk

Adam is the Research Delivery Coordinator for projects in the Faculty of Arts, Design and Social Sciences.  Adam assists PIs with the financial management of their projects, providing expenditure updates, submitting claims, invoicing, and producing reports. Adam's role involves providing expert knowledge of UNN's financial regulations and external funder guidance.

 

Lourdes Bradley Image of Lourdes Bradley

Research Contracts Coordinator

lourdes.bradley@northumbria.ac.uk 

Lourdes joined us in August 2023 and is the Research Contracts Coordinator in the Research Delivery team, providing support to the research contract review process and working closely with the Legal Services Team to ensure agreements are put in place in a timely manner. Lourdes provides dedicated support to all researchers offering advice and guidance on contract management issues related to externally funded research. Lourdes is responsible for the completion of research agreements and provides a professional interface between faculties and external funders.

Project Delivery Assistants

Ashley Coates

Projects Delivery Assistant

ashley.coates@northumbria.ac.uk

Ashley supports the research delivery coordinators with project support for externally funded projects, including claim submissions, reconciliations, journals, invoicing, and forecasting, as well as audit assistance and Tier 1 project portfolio project management including Financial Management.

 

Helen Hodgson

Projects Delivery Assistant

helen.hodgson@northumbria.ac.uk

Helen currently provides support for the CPD and Consultancies across HLS and EE faculties.  Helen is responsible for the claims, invoicing, reporting and forecasting.  Prior to working in RIS, Helen was a Coordinator for the NEBS2 Project, in the P and I Team within Graduate Futures and previously part of the HLS faculty Resource Team at Northumbria University.

Due Diligence and Compliance

Joe Timlin

Research Delivery & Compliance Manager  

joe.timlin@northumbria.ac.uk

Joe advises on Research Delivery & Compliance. For information about due diligence and Trusted Research, and regulatory frameworks applying to research, please contact Joe directly or visit our due diligence intranet pages (internal access only).

 

Paul SmithImage of Paul Smith

Due Diligence Coordinator

paul.smith@northumbria.ac.uk

Paul joined us in August 2023 as our Due Diligence Coordinator. Paul advises on and undertakes due diligence at all stages of the research lifecycle, please contact Paul directly or visit our due diligence intranet pages (internal access only).

 

Impact and IP Commercialisation

The Research Impact Team supports researchers to make a difference from their research in the world beyond the University. The KTP Managers support Northumbria’s KTP engagement, providing programme information, enquiry guidance, input to applications and support during project delivery. The IP Commercialisation Team supports with exploitation of research outputs (Intellectual Property) typically where there is a commercial opportunity.  You can read more and reach out to individual team members below.

Research Impact Team

The Research Impact Team can give help and advice on:

  • Untangling what is impact and what it is not, including providing training and awareness sessions
  • Planning to maximise impact throughout the research lifecycle
  • Impact in research funding applications
  • Engaged research, mapping and communicating with external stakeholders
  • Different routes to impact including through engagement with policy makers
  • Evaluating impact, evidencing and keeping records of change
  • Impact in the Research Excellence Framework (REF)

 

Alisha PeartPhoto of Alisha Peart

(Acting) Head of Impact and Engagement 

alisha.peart@northumbria.ac.uk

Alisha is an experienced programme manager, grant development manager, and now a research impact specialist. Alisha jointly led the transformative change in the research impact culture at Northumbria University, culminating in the outstanding success for Northumbria in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework Assessment. Alisha leads the Research Impact, Policy and Public Engagement and KTP Teams, developing and implementing strategies to support Knowledge Exchange, grow Public and Policy Engagement and increase the impact of Northumbria’s Research. Alisha has a national and international profile for sector-leading expertise in Research Impact. She is the Impact Special Interest Group Co-Lead for the Association of Impact Managers and Administrators (ARMA), she has presented at several national/international conferences and delivered training on behalf of ARMA and is also an ESRC panel reviewer. Alisha has co-authored a research publication on writing REF Impact Case Studies and Writing impact for grants book chapter in The Impactful Academic book published September 2022 (ebook link).

  

Lucy JowettPhoto of Lucy Jowett

Research Impact Manager

lucy.jowett@northumbria.ac.uk

Lucy has specialised in research impact since 2014, contributing to Northumbria’s outstanding 2021 REF result. Lucy contributes thought leadership and supports networking and training on research impact nationally and internationally. She is interested in research-informed policymaking and has a background in public services and strategic regional policy.  Lucy co-leads the Impact Team and provides advice and support on: developing an impact-rich research culture; embedding impact and knowledge exchange throughout the research lifecycle; processes and approaches to succeed in research assessment (REF).

 

Lucy MoorcraftPhoto of Lucy Moorcraft

Impact and Engagement Officer

lucy.moorcraft@northumbria.ac.uk

Lucy has a scientific background and 20 years’ experience of teaching and communicating science and impact to a wide variety of audiences and in many different formats. She offers an impact perspective on research work and provides support and advice on: planning impact into your research; explaining specialist topics to non-specialist audiences; and communicating to different internal and external stakeholders.

Departmental alignments: Computing and Information Sciences; Psychology; Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation; UoA Education

Lucy is additionally a RIS Induction Champion, supporting the onboarding process for new colleagues.

 

Elaine HunterPhoto of Elaine Hunter

Impact and Engagement Officer

elaine.hunter@northumbria.ac.uk

Elaine has worked in research impact since 2018. She is committed to assisting staff in developing and evidencing societal impact from their potential impactful research through consistent engagement and collaboration. Prior to joining Northumbria in September 2023, she was responsible for the impact portfolio across all research disciplines within the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Glasgow. Her research background in cellular and molecular physiology involved student supervision and teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Departmental alignments: Mechanical and Construction Engineering; Maths, Physics and Electrical Engineering; Applied Sciences; Geography and Environmental Sciences

 

Gabriella Arrigoni

Impact and Engagement Officer 

gabriella.arrigoni@northumbria.ac.uk

Gabi provides strategic advice on how to best plan, evaluate and evidence research impact, as well as supporting impact within bid proposals and developing impact literacy. She is passionate about building capacity for an impact culture that is inherent to the research process.

Departmental alignments: Art and Design; Social Sciences; Nursing, Midwifery and Health; Architecture and the Built Environment; Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing

Gabi is additionally a RIS Induction Champion, supporting the onboarding process for new colleagues.

 

Emma WatsonImage of Emma Watson

Impact and Engagement Officer

emma11.watson@northumbria.ac.uk

With a background in the teaching side of Higher Education, Emma has recently moved into the research field at Northumbria University. Emma has experience in providing training on and communicating about educationally focused projects and demonstrating the impact they have on students through work at both Northumbria University and Durham Students’ Union. Emma is passionate about finding new and exciting ways to demonstrate especially the social impact of academic research and how this can make tangible change at all levels.   

Departmental alignments: Humanities; Accounting and Financial Management; Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Strategy; Leadership and Human Resource Management; Marketing, Operations and System; The Business Clinic; and The Law School.

 

Policy and Engagement Team

The Policy and Engagement Team is led by Lucy Jowett. It provides specialisms in policy, public and community engagement, aiming to facilitate Northumbria’s contribution to research-informed policymaking and high-quality public and community engagement. The team works in partnership with colleagues from the universities of UCL, Cambridge, Manchester, and Nottingham as part of the Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement (CAPE) project, as well as colleagues across Northumbria and on key institutional projects.

 

Jenny HasenfussPhoto of Jenny Hasenfuss

Project Officer

jenny.hasenfuss@northumbria.ac.uk

Jenny is responsible for coordinating the Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement (CAPE) project related activity across the University of Northumbria and works closely with the other CAPE coordinators at University College London, University of Cambridge, University of Manchester and University of Nottingham, the CAPE consortium and policy partners. Prior to joining Northumbria University in June 2021, Jenny worked for ten years in a range of a research engagement roles within higher education including public engagement, community engagement, patient engagement and policy engagement.

 

Claire HutchinsonImage of Claire Hutchinson

Policy Project Officer

claire.s.hutchinson@northumbria.ac.uk

Claire is a Policy Project Officer in the Research Impact team. She supports on the Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement (CAPE) project and related activity across the University of Northumbria.

Claire joined Northumbria in April 2023 and comes from a background in the third sector and communication. Working in environmental regeneration for over ten years, Claire project managed a wide variety of programmes including a Primary Care Trust funded exercise on referral ‘Green Activity’ project, established a network of self-sustaining community allotments, as well as leading on Heritage schemes and urban land regeneration projects.  Claire has also worked for HRH King Charles’ Corporate Social Responsibility Charity, Business in the Community, helping businesses improve their impact on society. 

 

Matilda Leng

Policy Project Officer

matilda.leng@northumbria.ac.uk

Matilda is responsible for supporting on public and policy engagement across Northumbria University including the Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement (CAPE) project. She provides support for incoming and outgoing fellows as well as supporting academics who have been awarded funding. 

Before joining Northumbria University in May 2023, Matilda worked at Enfield council as a Policy and Engagement Officer, supporting the production of numerous policies across the education, health and transport sectors.

 

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs)

KTPs are a UKRI/Innovate UK collaborative research programme. Northumbria has a structured approach to handling KTP enquiries, funding applications, and project management which is aligned to funder requirements.

 

Lindsay Connolly

KTP Manager

lindsay.connolly@northumbria.ac.uk

Lindsay supports Northumbria’s KTP engagement, providing programme information, enquiry guidance, input to applications and support during project delivery. Pre- and Post-Award expertise is available from the RIS team and Business Development Managers in GMB.

 

Karl Ward

KTP Manager

karl.ward@northumbria.ac.uk

Karl supports Northumbria’s KTP engagement, providing programme information, enquiry guidance, input to applications and support during project delivery. Pre- and Post-Award expertise is available from the RIS team and Business Development Managers in GMB.

 

IP Commercialisation Team

The IP Commercialisation Team can:

  • Help find partners or funding to develop ideas further, supporting through the commercialisation process
  • Evaluate and manage the protection of Intellectual Property (IP) incl. patents
  • Support finding licensees
  • Give business support to create a company
  • Advise on IP and exploitation sections in bids or other complex IP situations

 

Chelsea Brain

Chelsea-Brain-Web

(Acting) Head of Intellectual Property and Economic Development.

IP Commercialisation Manager

chelsea.brain@northumbria.ac.uk

Chelsea is an engineer with business experience and over 7 years of experience in commercialising University technology. For Northumbria academics, Chelsea can: advise on protecting new inventions or ideas (Intellectual Property); support with exploitation of research and the commercialisation process; advise on anything related to IP or commercialisation.  For companies, Chelsea can introduce licencing opportunities or academic expertise fitting to solving company challenges.

 

Shanjoy Mairembam

Photo of Shan Mairembam

IP Commercialisation Manager

shanjoy.mairembam@northumbria.ac.uk

Shan is an Innovation & Growth professional with a background in engineering, management and law and 19 years of experience across IT/Telecom industry, growth consultancy and Higher Education. Shan supports protection and exploitation of research outputs and new venture creation of disruptive innovations. He helps in contract negotiation of ‘licensing, collaboration, joint venture’ deals. Prior to Northumbria, Shan worked at University of Leicester (specialising in IP commercialisation and spinout formation) and University of Westminster (focusing on knowledge exchange and knowledge transfer activities).

 

Usain AlKadriImage of Usain AlKadri

IP Commercialisation Manager

usain.alkadri@northumbria.ac.uk

Usain has a Ph.D. in Energy Engineering and extensive experience in business development, IP commercialization, and start-ups. Usain's career focuses on mentoring and consulting individuals and organizations to transform their innovative ideas into successful ventures. He has launched multiple start-ups himself and has a vast international network, with various consultants, companies, firms, and investors. Usain works closely with Northumbria academics and spinout companies and offers a comprehensive range of services, including guidance on protecting new inventions, supporting the exploitation of research outputs, facilitating collaborations between industry and academia, and forming spinouts. Additionally, Usain offers help in crafting compelling visions, missions, and business plans in the spinout's respective pursuits to commercialize university IP and contributes to fostering a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and knowledge exchange at Northumbria University.

 

Eoin Kieran

Photo of Eoin Kieran

IP Commercialisation Coordinator

eoin.kieran@northumbria.ac.uk

Eoin supports the IP Commercialisation Managers and focuses on managing the University's patent portfolio.

Eoin is additionally a RIS Induction Champion, supporting the onboarding process for new colleagues.

 

Apinan (Kenny) Kumar

apinan2.kumar@northumbria.ac.uk

Student Placement, IP Commercialisation Team

Kenny has joined the IP Commercialisation team for his 2023/24 placement year as part of his Business Management degree at Northumbria University. His main role is research and creation of marketing materials for University IP. He is also responsible for coordinating the Team’s IP commercialisation training activities. Kenny is using his time with the IP Commercialisation team to gain understanding of how research generates societal impact.

 

Economic Development

The Economic Development team work with academics across the university to maximise the potential impact our research and innovation can have in the region. The team develop and deliver funding strategies for strategic regional projects and offer advise across the university on regional funding sources. 

Jenny Taylor

Jenny Taylor

Executive Director of Research and Innovation Services | Director of Economic Development 

Jenny2.taylor@northumbria.ac.uk

Jenny is Executive Director of Research and Innovation Services. She leads the development of strategic place based innovation and economic regeneration projects for the university identifying and accessing appropriate funding opportunities. She also works closely with local policymakers supporting ambitions for innovation, knowledge exchange and embedding the role of the university.

 

Katie Atkinson

Economic Development Manager

katie.l.atkinson@northumbria.ac.uk

Katie joined the Economic Development Team as Economic Development Manager in January 2024 supporting compliant delivery of strategic place based projects and leading new project development.

 

 

Research and Innovation Services

Pandon Building

University of Northumbria

Camden Street

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

NE2 1XE

 

 

For general enquiries, please contact researchsupport@northumbria.ac.uk

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