Before joining the University in 2005, Dr Tresidder started her career working as a psychiatric nurse. She worked in a variety of settings such as acute psychiatry, older adult services and forensic mental health before joining the world of higher education as an hourly-paid lecturer, using her expertise to lecture on topics including forensic mental health, social policy and social theory, all while still working part-time in the health sector.

In 2015, Dr Tresidder decided to pursue a career in higher education full-time based at the Bedford campus and moved to the University’s Luton campus in 2018 to take up a Principal Lecturer role. Dr Tresidder was appointed as Head of the School of Applied Social Sciences in 2019.

Following her appointment to the Deans role, Dr Tresidder said; “I am very excited for the role. I feel privileged to have this opportunity; I do not take it lightly. I’m looking forward to working with and getting to know the staff and students across the next year and building on the great work that we have going on in the faculty.”

Welcoming Dr Tresidder to her new role, Vice Chancellor Professor Rebecca Bunting said; “I am very pleased to announce Dr Alison Tresidder as our new Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role and is very well placed to build on the successes of the Faculty in developing the next stages of its strategy.”

Alongside her role at the University, Dr Tresidder has lived in Bedford for the last 20 years and, in August 2023, was appointed Governor for Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, using her expertise to help represent local interest within the Trust.

Some of Dr Tresidder’s priorities for her first 12 months in the role include ensuring the wellbeing of students and staff; growing the Faculty and its provisions such as apprenticeships; and developing an international strategy to help recruit more overseas students.