Professor Graham Wynn
Institution: Northumbria University
Job Title: Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education
Professor Graham Wynn was appointed to the post of Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education in October 2021. Before joining Northumbria University, Graham was the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education at the University of Leicester.
As PVC Education, Graham is responsible for leading and shaping the University’s Education Strategy, enhancing the quality and distinctiveness of the student experience and building a portfolio of high-quality, taught programmes that provide an excellent student learning experience and strong student outcomes. Graham leads the preparations and planning for the University’s TEF submissions and other regulatory or sector-related returns, including the NSS.
A professor of theoretical astrophysics, Graham’s research is focused on the study of astrophysical accretion. Graham has published over 80 peer-reviewed articles and has been principal or co-investigator on over £10M of research grants.
Professor Kathleen M. Quinlan
Institution: University of Kent
Job Title: Director of the Centre for the Study of Higher Education
Since 1996, Prof. Quinlan, Director of the Centre for the Study of Higher Education at the University of Kent, has contributed to higher education research and practice through academic and leadership positions in the US, Australia and England.
Kathleen is particularly known for research on supporting students’ holistic development in higher education and discipline-specificity in learning, teaching, and educational development. She has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, two books, and 11 book chapters. She recently co-edited, with Dr Edd Pitt, a special issue of Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy and Practice on signature assessment and feedback.
In the past 10 years, she has been PI on grants from the Centre for Transforming Access and Student Outcomes, the Royal Academy of Engineering HE STEM Programme, the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education, and her own university, as well as Co-I on projects funded by Advance HE and the Higher Education Careers Services Unit. During that time, she has given 38 invited talks, including 10 keynotes.
She also has experience as a project lead and evaluator on more than twenty contract research projects in the US ranging from the equivalent of £35,000 to more than £170,000.
Jeff Grabill
Institution: University of Leeds
Job Title: Deputy Vice Chancellor for Student Education
Jeff Grabill is Deputy Vice Chancellor for Student Education at the University of Leeds. Prior to joining the University of Leeds, Grabill was at Michigan State University (MSU) in the United States for nearly 20 years. He served Michigan State University as the Associate Provost for Teaching, Learning, and Technology. In that role, he was responsible for facilitating innovation in learning and educator professional development via his role as Director of the Hub for Innovation in Learning and Technology. Grabill’s research focuses on how digital writing is associated with citizenship and learning. That work has been located in community contexts, in museums, and in classrooms at both the K-12 and university levels. Grabill is also a co-founder of Drawbridge, an educational technology company.
Dr Dave S.P. Thomas (SFHEA)
Institution: Advance HE.
Job Title: Associate Consultant (inclusive leadership, equality, diversity and inclusion)
Dr Dave S.P. Thomas
Dr Dave is an Associate Professor at Solent University, Southampton. He is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), with over two decades of experience in leadership, management, teaching and research in the educational sector as well as private and public sector organisations globally.
Omotayo Akobi JP.
Institution: Orael Institute London.
Job Title: Director Orael Institute London.
Professor Gurpreet Jagpal
Institution: University of Suffolk
Job Title: Pro Vice-Chancellor Business and Entrepreneurship.
Gurpreet is the Pro Vice-Chancellor Business and Entrepreneurship at the University of Suffolk, with responsibility for Suffolk Business School, and the Business Engagement, Careers and Employability Directorate which focuses on driving business engagement and knowledge exchange across the institution and region.
Suffolk Business School is a new and innovative community impact Business School. Based at the heart of one of the UK’s fastest city economies in Ipswich it is committed to developing the talent and entrepreneurial effectiveness of all learners across the University and within the local business community. At the heart of the Suffolk Business School is the Innovation Labs at the University of Suffolk (ILOUS), a dedicated space to bring together students, academics and businesses to drive forward change and innovation. His directorate works closely with business and public sector partners to support student and graduate employability; collaborative projects offering consultancy services; applied research; joint working opportunities and programmes of business-focused training. The team provide a facilitative role in the engagement of local employers and businesses, convening employer networks to facilitate the alignment of the University’s curriculum and research activity with the needs of the local economy.
Gurpreet has spent the last 15 years working in universities across the UK, in roles predominantly focussing on business engagement, innovation and entrepreneurship. Blurring boundaries between education and business is Gurpreet’s passion, exploring ways that they can come together to ensure the needs of business are being met and graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge to make a positive impact on society.
Gurpreet joined the University of Suffolk from UWE Bristol where he was the Professor and Director of the Institute for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, a pioneer in enterprise education to transform the futures of young people and support the next generation of entrepreneurs thereby creating a more successful economy. Prior to this, Gurpreet was Director of Research, Enterprise and Innovation at London South Bank University (LSBU, and CEO of South Bank University Enterprises Ltd (SBUEL) where in a relatively short period of time he established an award-winning research and enterprise centre – ranked second in the UK, fourth in Europe and fifteenth globally, for innovative business development. And under his leadership LSBU successfully secured the crown as The Times Higher Award for Entrepreneurial University of the Year – recognising the outstanding entrepreneurial support offered to students, graduates, staff and the local community.
Shakira Martin
Rose Bruford College
Job Title: Head of Student Experience at Rose Bruford College and Founder of the Class of 2020. Initiative
Shakira Martin is head of Student Experience at Rose Bruford College and founder of The Class of 2020 initiative. Prior to this, Shakira served as Vice President Further Education (2015-17) at the national president of the National Union of Students before becoming National President (2017-19) representing 7 million young people studying in further and higher education being only the second person to hold the post from an FE background, and the first black women to have held the role in the NUS’ 96-year history.
Annette Hay
Institution: Coventry University
Job Title: Senior Research Delivery Support Partner
Annette is currently a member of the Senior Management Team in the Research Office at Coventry University. After completing her Social Studies Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Warwick, she went on to complete her Masters in ‘Leadership and Management’ at Coventry University.
Annette has over 30 years of experience around leadership, with a particular interest in making leadership a more inclusive and authentic experience. She’s passionate about empowering and enabling women, and especially more Black women, to take up leadership and governance positions.
The work that she often engages in, recognises the intersections of gender and racial inequalities and the role of positive action towards removing these inequalities. Annette challenges institutional and cultural norms which continue to permeate, deeply embedded barriers to real and systemic change.
She is recognised for her strategic influence and ability to build networks and new relationships. Presently, she’s a member of a number of Boards and Committees, including, Coventry University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Council, Advance HE, NADOHE (USA), The Belgrade Theatre and ARMA EDI Advisory Group. Annette is also the Chair of the Race Equality Council at Coventry University as well as the BME Staff Network Lead.