About the Network

Lauren is seconded to the Future Leaders Fellows Development Network from the University of Leeds where she is the Institute Manager of the Horizons Institute, an interdisciplinary research institute established to provide a platform for early stage, challenge-led research ideas and partnerships to emerge through programmes and activities that seek to broker novel collaborations, enhance interdisciplinary skills and elevate interdisciplinary research.

Prior to the Horizons Institute, Lauren project managed the GCRF Network Plus projects Changing the Story and Praxis and has worked with partners including UNESCO and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport. A focus of her work has been youth engagement and co-production in the UK and internationally.

Her main role within the network will be to maintain a dialogue with Fellows and act as a liaison between Fellows and the Network’s broad range of partners.

Yulia brings to the team a vast experience of working with projects & risk management, compliance, business processes improvement across different industries from construction, banking, FMCG Supply Chain and local production to Higher Education. She is passionate about lifelong learning and EDI. Prior to joining the FLFDN, Yulia managed projects in Durham University.

Clare is responsible for social media communications and strategy. She promotes Network activity and engages with Fellows on Twitter and LinkedIn. Clare also supports the Future Leaders Fellows Development Network website and email communications.

Clare is currently developing video and digital content to share Network programmes and activities of Fellows. She is working to share features of Fellows and their research to highlight their impactful work and develop opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Clare is also experienced in working with the media, having placed articles in leading national and international outlets online and in print on work in the cultural sector.

Charlotte is a qualified and practicing Mentor and Coach (ILM Practitioner), working at Cardiff University. An experienced and qualified people and project manager (PRINCE2 practitioner and MInstLM), having worked in the private sector, Further and Higher Education. Charlotte has managed a number of multi-million-pound research projects, developing a passion for supporting great research and great researchers. Having completed PGCerts in Counselling and in Higher Education Leadership and Management, Charlotte combines knowledge and practice with her desire to support others to develop and grow through mentoring, leadership, and training.

As the Partnership Manager for the Network’s award-winning multi-faceted mentoring scheme, Charlotte works with mentees and mentors daily. She is responsible for recruitment of the mentors and delivering the operational activity of the mentoring scheme, community one-to-one coaching, and sharing good practice with colleagues across the UK to support the development of their mentoring programmes.

Paul has a background in innovation research and management, with experience of working in and between industry, university and charity sectors. His main role will be working to help build links, support and resources for those for Fellows who have an interest in exploring and developing Knowledge Exchange opportunities.

Lisa is the Events Manager at the Future Leaders Fellows Development Network where she supports the effective organisation and delivery of Network events and training activities. Previously, Lisa contributed to a range of postgraduate programmes at Edinburgh and Lancaster University.

As Events Manager, Lisa works closely with Cheryl, Bridget, Charlotte and Clare to coordinate a number of programmes and community initiatives.

Lisa is a member of our Training & Development Working Group.

Vic has a background in instructional design, IT support, and training and development across the educational, charity and commercial sectors. She works with clients at UK higher education institutions on projects to create engaging and effective e-learning and online resources.

Within the Network, Vic is working closely with the Training & Development Group to create a suite of online toolkits. She also manages the Network’s website and provides a broad range of project support to several of the Network’s working groups.

Steve is the Head of the Postdoc Academy at the University of Cambridge. He has been working with research staff for over thirteen years, including five years as a Postdoc Careers Adviser and, latterly, four years as Head of Researcher Development.

Steve works closely with Dr Tracey Stead to plan and deliver the Network’s training and development programme, including leadership retreats, the bespoke 360 Feedback and Coaching Programme, and the wider coaching and psychometric assessment offer. He has led sessions on self-leadership, inclusive leadership, and career management.

Get in touch with Steve if you want to discuss how we can offer you personalised support or to discuss, in confidence, your ongoing career development.

Steve is Co-Lead for our Training & Development Working Group.

Bridget has previously worked as Policy and Project Officer at the University of Edinburgh, developing research strategy with a focus on research culture. Prior to that she supported the development and communication of UK national policy, and has built relationships in HEIs and local and national governments across the UK.

As Community Manager, Bridget acts as a liaison between Fellows in the Network and our broad range of partners, acts as Chair of the Plus Fund Review Group, and contributes to the Network’s strategic decision making.

Bridget is Lead for our Cohort Experience Working Group.

Bridget is currently on Maternity Leave from the Network.

Sharon has run her own consultancy for the past six years and is an experienced facilitator and mentor on several programmes including Queen’s University/Invest NI’s Multi-Disciplinary Design Programme and Innovate NI’s Techies in Residence. She also has 20 years of management and leadership experience across different sectors.

Her main role within the Network will be to co-ordinate innovation opportunities for Fellows and provide one-to-one advice.

Sharon is a member of the Research & Innovation Environment Working Group.

Katie is an equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) specialist and experienced facilitator/trainer with expertise in researching barriers to career progression experienced by women and LGBT+ people related to grant funding.

Katie works alongside Udeni Salmon to create and implement our EDI strategy. She is responsible for embedding principles of equality, diversity and inclusion across all network programmes and activities.  She supports our training and development team to embed EDI in the leadership training for fellows and develops bespoke training to respond to specific EDI needs within the Network. Katie also works with UKRI on strategies to support Inclusive Research Design.