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

I am a Doctoral Leader at the Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS) as well as a Doctoral Researcher in the School of Design and Creative Arts. I have been at Loughborough for more than four years now.

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

Now that I have submitted my PhD thesis, my days are quite varied. Much of my time is spent juggling different roles across the University. When we have IAS events, I usually help support activities or attend meetings with the team. On other days, I might be teaching or supervising students, which can easily fill a full day with tutorials and academic support. I also enjoy getting involved in creative and student-focused activities, such as leading LU Arts workshops whenever the opportunity arises. So there isn’t really a typical day for me at the moment, but that’s exactly what keeps things interesting!

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

One of my favourite projects has been my role as a Doctoral Leader at IAS. This role has given me the opportunity to connect and network with researchers/academics from diverse disciplines around the world, help organise academic events, and contribute to fostering an inclusive and supportive research community. It has not only broadened my perspective on multidisciplinary research but also enhanced my skills in academic networking and collaboration, which are experiences that I believe will significantly benefit my academic journey in many ways.

What is your proudest moment at Loughborough?

I think my proudest moments at Loughborough are not just a single event. They are really a combination of experiences. It could be submitting my PhD thesis, receiving positive feedback from colleagues or students, or being nominated for an award. All of these moments have been incredibly rewarding. I feel that Loughborough University has offered me so many opportunities, and if you are able to see them and make the most of them, you can truly enjoy and grow from everything the University has to offer.

Which University value do you most resonate with and why?

I would say the value I most connect with at Loughborough is collaboration. From my experience, even though the University is very large, there are many events and opportunities that bring different departments together. This encourages dialogue, teamwork, and collaboration across disciplines. I have felt a strong sense of community at Loughborough, almost like being part of a big Loughborough family, which makes the collaborative environment really special.

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

Outside of study or work, I am a professional jewellery artist with around ten years of experience in contemporary jewellery. My work is internationally recognised and has been exhibited in many countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Germany, Italy, France, Portugal, Poland, Greece, Turkey, Romania, Sweden, and Belgium. Notable exhibitions include TALENTE 2018 during Munich Jewellery Week, New York Jewellery Week, and Florence Jewellery Week. I have received several awards for my work, and some of my pieces are featured in the book ‘Chinese Contemporary Jewellery Design’ by Dr Bifei Cao. As an artist, I am passionate about exploring colour, texture, and form, creating pieces that are both wearable and appreciated as art.

What is your favourite quote?

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts”, by Winston Churchill. It reminds us that winning or losing is never the end of the story, and what really counts is having the strength and determination to keep going, even when faced with difficulties.

If you would like to feature in ‘Five Minutes With’, or you work with someone who you think would be great to include, please email Martha Causier at m.causier@lboro.ac.uk.