What’s your job title and how long have you been at Loughborough?

I am a Senior Lecturer in Textiles and I have been at Loughborough since 2010, initially for doctoral study, progressing to academic staff in 2015.

Tell us what a typical day in your job looks like?

Varied. No two days in a ‘typical’ week are comparable. I might be lecturing, contributing to a committee, meeting a collaborator, attending an event or a meeting, writing a research article or application, reviewing papers, conducting PhD supervision, undertaking practice, travelling, a combination of these, or something entirely different from one day to the next.

What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on?

I am privileged to have enjoyed leading and collaborating on several projects with respected colleagues and other institutions and organisations, but my favourite has to be ‘AFRO HAIR: IS a BIG conversation’ (2024-2026), not the biggest or flashiest, but one of the most important.

What is your proudest moment at Loughborough?

Convincing a former undergraduate on the fringes to attend their graduation and capturing the moment with a signed and dated Polaroid of the two of us. It is proudly displayed on my office wall. Equally, the day of my own doctoral graduation in the winter of 2015. I was six months pregnant with my eldest daughter. The graduation gown was a perfect outfit.

Which University value do you most resonate with and why?

Authentic. This is everything. Things are pointless, meaningless, soulless and performative without authenticity. This applies to the workplace, in leadership, in teams and in relationships. I like to think I am authentically me in whatever I do and wherever I find myself.

Tell us something you do outside of work that we might not know about?

I am the Head of Department for the children’s arm of a local church and charitable organisation in Loughborough town, overseeing Sunday School provision for approximately 55 children aged 4-12 and supervising a team of volunteer teachers and assistants.

What is your favourite quote?

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase”. (1 Corinthians 3:6)