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

I’m a Project Manager and Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Lead at Loughborough’s London campus, working on collaborative research and innovation projects. I started my role in 2020, right as COVID-19 began. It was a unique experience, not meeting anyone in person until 2021, but it taught me how to adapt and build relationships virtually.

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

My day is never the same, and it largely depends on my kids and whether my partner or I are working from the office. It usually starts with a exercise or the school run, grabbing a much-needed coffee, and then squeezing in as much work as possible until dinner. Workwise, I balance meetings, project work, and emails across multiple projects. In the evenings, I spend time with the kids, go for a run or catch-up work/life admin.

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

My favourite project is definitely Para Sport Against Stigma. It’s an incredibly innovative initiative that aligns impeccably with my skill set and interest, and it’s what initially brought me to Loughborough University London. The project’s focus on breaking down barriers through Para sport really resonates with me, as it’s about more than just sport—it’s about fostering inclusion and driving social change. Through this work, I’ve gained valuable insights into shifting power structures, particularly in the context of international relationships and the decolonisation of global development work. It has been a great learning experience, and I feel fortunate to be part of something that is making a tangible difference in promoting equity and inclusion.

What is your proudest moment at Loughborough?

My proudest moment at Loughborough is deeply personal and tied to my transition back to work after maternity leave. Returning to work with two small children was one of the most challenging experiences I’ve faced. The physical exhaustion, emotional highs and lows, and the relentless juggling of responsibilities often left me feeling stretched thin—like I was being pulled in every direction at once. Balancing the demands of being a parent and a professional meant constantly switching gears, trying to be fully present in both worlds, yet feeling the weight of both. The two roles collided in ways I couldn’t have anticipated, and every day was a new challenge in finding balance. But through that struggle, I found a new drive—a desire to contribute in a different way—which led me to step into the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) space. In March 2023, I took on that role, and one of my proudest moments was hosting the first EDI Away Day in London. Creating a space where colleagues could reflect, think critically, and discuss important topics felt incredibly rewarding. It wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of Andrea, Tony, Debbie, Aleks and the entire committee, who helped bring it all together.

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

I love to create things! When I need some head space, I dive into house projects, gardening, or macramé. There’s something about working with my hands that helps me unwind and reset.

What is your favourite quote?

My favourite quote is “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new” – Socrates. It reminds me to stay forward-focused, especially in my work with innovation and EDI.

If you would like to feature in ‘5 Minutes With’, or you work with someone who you think would be great to include, please email Lilia Boukikova at L.Boukikova@lboro.ac.uk