Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research & Innovation Service

Professor Andrew Church has taken on the new role of PVC for Research & Innovation.

Professor Church is an active researcher himself, publishing papers, supervising PhD students and securing research funding, and is currently part of an interdisciplinary team funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and the Global Challenges Research Fund, conducting research on sanitation in off grid communities in Nepal, Ethiopia, Ghana and India.

Head of Research Development

Dr Victoria Carpenter, BSc (UCF), PhD (Hull), joined the University in November 2018. Victoria started her academic career in 2001 as a Lecturer in Spanish at the University of Derby, later expanding into the area of research and knowledge transfer development. As the Head of Research Development in the Research & Innovation Service, Victoria oversees the work of the Research Graduate School, provides them with academic direction and guidance, coordinates the support for graduate research students, and supports research development.

Victoria is an active researcher specialising in representations of violence in the state and public discourse, relationship between knowledge and emotions, and hegemonic and posthegemonic power distribution mechanisms.

Head of Research Services

Karen has a degree in Sociology from the University of Durham. She joined the University of Bedfordshire in January 2020, bringing with her over twenty years of experience working within the Higher Education sector. She has extensive experience supporting research in HE. As Head of Research Services Karen oversees the Bid Support Unit, ensuring that the team provide comprehensive support for staff across the University, from opportunity spotting and bid construction, producing costings, advising on funder requirements, through to the contract process to post award management.

Head of Culture and Community Engagement

Joining the University in 2017, Emma heads up the Culture and Community Engagement Team. Emma has international experience in establishing socially-engaged cultural and community projects in partnership with a range of cross-sector collaborations.

She has specific specialisms in applied practice, widening participation agendas, skills development and capacity building models, and collaborations across UK higher education.

Prior to working at UoB, Emma was the Learning and Participation Manager at Trestle Theatre Company and Lecturer in Drama (MA and PGCE courses) for Middlesex University. In 2016, she was part of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Arts, Health and Wellbeing SIG, supporting the Creative Health inquiry. This derived from the Arts and Health practice that Emma developed at Trestle, as well as before Trestle as a cultural practitioner.

Business Growth Manager

Lesley joined the University of Bedfordshire in 2012 following a career change from teaching in FE. Her previous experience includes working for another HE institution and professional services firms, specialising in legal and accounting.

Lesley is an accredited Prince 2 Practitioner and has worked on a variety of innovative projects since the establishment of the Research & Innovation Service in 2014. She now oversees all commercial and externally funded programmes run by the University.

For further details on our funded business support options, please visit We Mean Business

Senior Business Partnerships Manager

Nathan joined the university in May 2022 as a Business Partnerships Manager for an ERDF-funded project, Innovation Bridges. He has since moved into a leadership role, as the Senior Business Partnerships Manager, leading the business support team within the Research & Innovation Service. He is passionate about supporting businesses and has an extensive business network.

Nathan’s vast expertise includes over 10 years of experience working with SME’s across a variety of industries and sectors - previously working within corporate banking with Barclays Bank, as well as in a public sector at SEMLEP and most notably Innovate UK, helping innovative businesses achieve their growth ambitions through tailored innovation management, commercialisation, internationalisation and access to finance support.

External Short Courses Programme Manager

Anna joined the University in May 2017. Anna is currently supporting university-wide apprenticeship development. She works closely with employers to understand their skills gaps and advises on the apprenticeship levy and opportunities.

Marketing, Communications & Engagement Manager

Oxana joined the University of Bedfordshire to support the Research & Innovation Service with all things marketing.

In addition to the Government and European-funded research and innovation initiatives, Oxana supports the University's collaborations and external engagements with local and regional partner organisations, businesses and charities to highlight the University’s socio-economic impact both regionally and across the UK.

Oxana has extensive experience in the marketing field having worked in diverse settings such as a care charity, financial investment firm, international recruitment company, and now the higher education sector. She holds a degree in Photography from Solent University, a CMI Level 5 Management & Leadership qualification, and is currently pursuing a postgraduate diploma through the Senior Leader Apprenticeship programme.

Research Support Manager

Sudhir joined the Bid Support Unit within the University's Research & Innovation Service (RIS) in January 2024, contributing extensive experience gained from his prior positions at the University of Bedfordshire and other academic institutions across the UK.

Armed with a background in Physics and Geography, Sudhir has held roles as both an academic and researcher, imparting knowledge in geography, research methodologies and academic proficiency to BSc and MSc students.

Additionally, Sudhir has overseen MSc research projects and his personal research involvement spans interdisciplinary and international projects within the UK and India.

Business Partnership Officer

Khudael joined the University of Bedfordshire in January 2022 to support the Research & Innovation team with business engagement activities. He has more than 10 years’ experience in the airline industry specialising in Operations.

Khudael graduated from the University of Bedfordshire with a Journalism degree and has been published in the Guardian, the Independent and the News of the World as well as self-publishing a book in 2016 charting the highs and lows of the England men’s football team, from their World Cup triumph in 1966 and the 50 years of hurt since then – all in the mode of poetry.

Business Partnership Officer

Chris joined the University of Bedfordshire in 2022, working in the Business Partnerships Unit within the Research & Innovation Service. He facilitates engagement between businesses and academics, supporting successful projects through account management, compliance, and project management.

With over 20 years of experience, Chris is a seasoned Project Manager who has delivered business change and IT systems across various industries, primarily in financial services. He spent 16 years running his own business and has worked for highly regarded management consultancies, including PricewaterhouseCoopers (now IBM Global Services). Additionally, he has led a business unit for a publicly listed IT services company.

Business Partnership Co-ordinator

Sudha joined the University of Bedfordshire in August 2022, starting in Academic Services before transitioning to the Research & Innovation Service as a Business Partnership Coordinator.

She has had a long and successful career in banking, where she held various roles, primarily in the business sector, eventually advancing to Senior Relationship Manager in Corporate and Commercial Banking.

Sudha enjoys teamwork, and in her current role, she supports the Research & Innovation Service by providing advice and support to local businesses.

Business Partnership Finance and Compliance Officer

Lisa Kane joined the University of Bedfordshire in December 2023, as an Engagement Co-ordinator.

After graduating University, Lisa's experience includes over 13 years working in the NHS, where she worked delivering, supporting and co-ordinating patient care - in various clinical and office based settings.

Lisa enjoys making a real difference, enhancing the local community and organisations. Her current role supports the Research and Innovation Service with business engagement activities.

Business Partnerships Officer

Mohammed joined the University in May 2024 to support the Research & Innovation Service team.

He brings over 13 years of experience in premium sales and customer service, along with a degree in Business with Accounting and Finance from the University of Bedfordshire. Mohammed is enthusiastic and passionate, eager to contribute his driven and optimistic character, along with his diverse skills, experience, and education, to support businesses and regional stakeholders.

Business Partnerships Co-Ordinator

Shabaz joined the University in May 2024 after graduating with an LLB (Hons) in Law from the University of Bedfordshire. He has since accumulated experience in the professional services and private sector.

He specialises in networking, events, and business relations within the legal sector, particularly in implementing legal technology for various law firms across the UK. Shabaz is eager and passionate about contributing his skills and experience to the team and sharing best practices.

Business Project Manager - CPD, Short Courses & Apprenticeships

Tatjana joined Research & Innovation Service in February 2020. She is supporting the development of CPD, other short courses and apprenticeship training programmes.

Tatjana holds Bachelor’s degree in Business Studies from the University of Bedfordshire and has previously worked in an Automotive industry, organising and coordinating online and instructor based training for retailers’ employees in UK and Ireland.

Training & Facilities Co-ordinator

Jason joined the University of Bedfordshire in 2010, fist supporting the Facilities department, then moving to the ICT unit as a Service Desk Analyst in 2013. Jason joined the Research & Innovation Service in 2021 as a short course and facilities co-ordinator, supporting the team in liaising with external clients as well as organising Prince2 and other CPD courses.

Jason graduated from the University of Bedfordshire in 2009 with a degree in Television Production.

CPD & Skills Coordinator

Salisha is a marketing professional with over 10 years of experience in traditional and digital marketing. Throughout her career she has worked with clients and businesses in a range of industries including manufacturing, energy, tourism & hospitality and start-ups.

She joins the University of Bedfordshire on a short-term contract to support the University in raising awareness of its Apprenticeship offering.

Research Support Officer

Emma joined in March 2020 to promote and support research and innovation activity at the University.

She brings experience of both HE and the social care sector, having worked as an Executive Assistant and a Research Institute Administrator.

Research Support Officer

Michelle joined the Research & Innovation Service in May 2021, from LSE where she worked as an Examinations Support. She has several years’ experience working as a Research and Business Development Officer at the University of Roehampton.

Michelle’s background includes managing a variety of European projects, such as an ERDF project at the Royal Opera House. She also has experience working for Arts Council, Big Lottery Fund and within the NHS.

Research Project Officer

Chara joined the university in October 2014 after completing postgraduate studies in Digital Library Management at the University of Sheffield. In January 2015 she joined the International Office as a member of the UKVI Compliance team. There she provided student support to international students, monitored student attendance and processed student records. Prior to moving to the UK from Greece, she mainly worked in organising professional training seminars and in media editing. In Greece, she had completed postgraduate studies in Marketing and Communications.

Chara is a member of the Bid Support team and she is the University's REF Officer, providing support for institution's submission to REF 2021.

Heritage Projects Officer

Jen joined the Culture and Community Engagement team in October 2022 and currently leads on the Heritage Horizons project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Graduating from the University of Birmingham with a history degree in 2021, Jen subsequently completed an MA in heritage conservation at the University of York. In both courses Jen consistently sought opportunities to investigate the histories of underrepresented groups. She is interested in the ways in which heritage practitioners can use the past to connect with communities and build relationships, and her post-graduate thesis examined the barriers preventing members of marginalised groups from engaging with built heritage conservation and planning.

Jen has experience working in a number of heritage institutions in the South East and West Midlands, including Historic England. Having grown up in Bedfordshire, she is now keen to make a difference at home and to highlight the value of local heritage and stories.

Heritage Projects Officer

Leona joined the Arts and Culture projects team as a Heritage Projects Officer in September 2022 and commenced her PhD in October 2023. Her research will focus on the social and cultural history of community radio stations in super-diverse towns, through the curation of a life-story archive.

Alongside this, she is the Creative Director and Oral Historian of Inkslingers Media, an award-winning audio production company creating radio programmes, audio documentaries, and oral history collections from community heritage stories.

She came to academia as a community and public radio practitioner, having worked in BBC Radio 2 and 4 as a producer in magazine format programmes and as an Operations and Volunteer manager and producer/presenter in community radio.

Before joining the radio industry, she held a variety of roles including magazine features journalist and sales & marketing manager in the writing, coworking, and online employment industries.

Cultural Programmes Officer

Jitty, part of the Culture and Community Engagement team, has vast local knowledge and experience of working locally, regionally and nationally in events, production, cultural programming, community, education and outreach.

A key part of driving forward this work is her extensive work in the cultural sector, embedded within local communities, and her role developing cultural education partnerships. Jitty’s experience plays a key role where there is a lot to be said in developing a rich multiplicity of arts and culture, inspiring young people and entrenching her experience within civic engagement to further enrich cultural place making for all to be proud of and celebrate. She has spent much time on various projects and events in project management and coordination, comprising both inception and delivery.

Jitty enjoys the challenges and make-up of the cultural landscape, whether it be in research and evaluation, the development and production of events, engaging new audiences or the advancement of diverse voices. Learning and collaboration play a huge part in the development of such endeavours. Enjoying experimental and abstract ideas in engaging diverse nationalities and groups to create new and innovative perspectives on creative improvement and deliverance.

Jitty has successfully produced large scale indoor and outdoor events throughout her 20-year career and also successfully delivered programmes in cultural education/upskilling of various styles and formats. Currently leading on the Heritage Partnership project with the University of Northampton; Jitty’s skills are being put to the test!

Engagement Coordinator

Neeli has been with the University of Bedfordshire since April 2023, contributing to the Research and Innovation, CPD and Short Courses, and SiD Online departments. She is currently supporting the Research & Innovation team with their business engagement activities.

An adaptable, ambitious, and driven professional, Neeli brings over 30 years of proven expertise in administration and business support, quality and compliance, recruitment, IT, and customer service. Her extensive experience spans training providers, councils, recruitment, and both further and higher education institutions.

Engagement Coordinator

Abdul joined the Research & Innovation Service in June 2024. With a background in digital marketing and several years of customer service experience across various industries, he brings valuable expertise to the team.

In his role, Abdul will provide a wide range of operational and administrative support for all business-related activities within the business partnership unit.

Business Partnership Marketing Officer

Tania joined the Research & Innovation Service to support marketing and communications activity for the UKSPF projects - having previously contributed to ERDF funded projects in 2022.

Amongst her previous responsibilities within the Research & Innovation Service, Tania played a pivotal role in restructuring the Apprenticeships section of the university website, aiming to streamline the user journey and enhance overall user experience.

Tania's educational background includes a Master’s degree in Digital Marketing and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from the University of Bedfordshire. With a focus on project management and marketing, she brings valuable experience from her previous role as a Marketing and Project Executive at Luton BID.