Dr Diana J Pritchard is the Head of Teaching, Evaluation and Enhancement. Diana leads the Academy on evaluation and research on the university's strategic education and student experience priorities. She is on the corresponding committees and working groups and supervises doctoral students. During 2017-2022, Diana led the University in the evaluation of the global programme 'Strategic Partnerships for Higher Education Innovation and Reform' which was funded by the UK Government Foreign, Commonwealth and  Development Office. 

Diana also works on innovative collaborative interdisciplinary practices. She established and coordinates the Sustainability Forum, a community of practice recognised by the Higher Education Academic with a Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence.

Diana engages with different stakeholders locally and globally on challenges relating to environmental, social, and economic sustainability. She previously held positions in higher education in the USA, Spain and Nicaragua and worked on commissions with various UN agencies and the World Bank. She established a regional programme for biodiversity conversation in Central America, working with indigenous communities, governments and NGOs and has published on biodiversity, climate change, forced migration and refugees.

Diana is a PFHEA and an international education evaluation consultant. See her key research publications via Google Scholar including sector-recognised education and pedagogical case studies.

Contact Diana via diana.pritchard@beds.ac.uk

Simone Banner is proud to be part of the Academy of Learning and Teaching Excellence (ALTE), leading the Academy’s Administrative and Communications team.

With Simone’s help, the Academy will build a community of students, academics and researchers connected across different parts of the University, and beyond - championing student support, collaboration and Knowledge Exchange.

Alongside leading Administrative projects and Communications, Simone steers the Academy's promotional efforts and planning of events, workshops, and other learning development-related initiatives.

Before arriving at the Academy, Simone worked for the Research & Innovation service and actively supports Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, through her involvement with the Race Equality Network and subsequent work with the Cabinet Office in supporting the Inclusive Britain strategy and the Universities contributions.

Simone studied Journalism, New media & Human Rights at the University of Roehampton and brings with her a wealth of both interpersonal and communications skills.

Contact Simone via Simone.Banner@beds.ac.uk

Dr Sibel Kaya conducts research and scholarly evaluation in the context of Higher Education. Sibel co-leads the development and implementation of the institution’s educational evaluation framework. She oversees investigations into ‘what works’ for access and participation activities and the wider student experience more generally. Sibel’s work informs recommendations for the future delivery of our strategic educational goals.

Sibel received her Master’s degree in education from the University of Pittsburgh and her doctorate from Florida State University. She participated in projects funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Health in the USA. She previously held research and teaching positions in the USA and Turkey in higher education. She is interested in quantitative as well as mixed-method research design. She has conducted research and published in the fields of science teaching and learning, teacher education, classroom discourse, and student motivation.

See her key research publications via Google Scholar. 

Contact Sibel via sibel.kaya@beds.ac.uk

Dr Kathryn Sidaway joined the University of Bedfordshire as a Research Fellow in 2024. Kathryn conducts evaluative research in the Higher Education context, designing and undertaking research projects to establish the impact of university-wide initiatives on teaching, learning, and the wider student experience.

In addition to achieving a PhD in English Language Teaching, she holds an MA in English Language Teaching, an MA in Social Science Research, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Post-Compulsory Education and Training. She previously held teaching positions at Durham University and the University of Warwick and worked in further education for over a decade.

Kathryn is interested in qualitative and mixed methods research, focusing on sharing the voices of students who are often under-represented in the literature.

See her key research publications via Google Scholar.

Contact Kathryn via Kathryn.Sidaway@beds.ac.uk

Averil Robertson (SFHEA) is Senior Academic Developer in the Academy, a role she has held since 2016. She is a unit lead on the Postgraduate Diploma in Academic Practice with Apprenticeship, and on the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education. She also leads the University's Advance HE recognition programme, the Experiential Portfolio Route, as well as working with colleagues across the University on a variety of initiatives, on committees and at QA events.

In a previous life, Averil was a Chartered Librarian, working at the University as an Academic Liaison Librarian from 2007-2011 and in a variety of academic and health library settings prior to that, including at the University of Hong Kong, a city she lived in for 11 years.

Averil's particular interests lie in digital learning and in online learning design, and she has BTEC certificates in Webpage development and E-learning as well as Certified status with the Association for Learning Technology (CMALT).

Contact Averil via averil.robertson@beds.ac.uk

Dr Neil Currant joined the Academy in August 2023. They are a senior lecturer, and they lead the PGCert in Teaching in Higher Education. Neil has been supporting teaching, learning and assessment practices in higher education since 2005. Previously, Neil led the Advance HE accredited fellowship scheme at the University of the Arts London and was Head of Educational Development at Oxford Brookes University.

Neil’s doctoral study was on the experiences of belonging for global ethnic majority students in predominately white universities. A summary of this research can be found in the Teaching Insights journal. Neil’s research interests include belonging, assessment, educational leadership, and inclusion. Most recently they were part of a QAA-funded project Belonging through Assessment: pipelines of compassion.

Neil is an assessor for Advance HE’s direct application fellowship scheme, a Senior Fellow HEA and a Fellow of the Staff and Educational Development Association. Neil’s passion outside of work is running and hopes to one day be quick enough to represent England in a road running age group category race.

See Neil's key research publications via Google Scholar.

Contact Neil via Neil.Currant@beds.ac.uk

Kara Burgoyne joined the Academy in 2024 as a Lecturer in Academic Development. Kara is a University of Bedfordshire graduate and has spent a total of 18 years completing various qualifications to further develop her knowledge and practice.

Kara works with colleagues across the university through Academy outputs, Academic Development opportunities and the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PG Cert).

Previously, Kara was a Course Manager for Teacher Education and Social Studies Higher Education at a local college. She has taught in a number of settings including nurseries, lower schools and Further Education.

Through her work in delivering Foundation Degrees and Top-ups in Social Sciences, Education and Psychology, Kara has worked in partnership with the University of Bedfordshire for the last 10 years. She has also worked as HPL in the Faculty of Education, English and Sport.

Kara is particularly passionate about pastoral care for HE students and removing the barriers that prevent learners from succeeding. Kara’s work also focuses on ‘Distance and Blended Learning’ and how these can be used to support learner engagement to aid success in their studies and professional careers.

Contact Kara via: Kara.Burgoyne1@beds.ac.uk

Cheryl joined the University of Bedfordshire as a Learning Development Tutor in 2016. She supports students with academic skills development primarily through workshop delivery and one-to-one meetings across all campuses and study centres. Cheryl also works closely with course teams to support the embedding of academic skills in the curriculum.

Prior to working at the University of Bedfordshire Cheryl spent 12 years as part of the core teaching team on an Access to Higher Education course at North Hertfordshire College. As well as teaching level 3 Psychology and study skills she was involved in the course revalidation process twice and all aspects of course development. To enable progression to Access to H.E. or employment she also taught on a level 2 pre-Access course.

Cheryl is a Luton University alumna having graduated in Psychology BSc (Hons).

Contact Cheryl via cheryl.swallow@beds.ac.uk

Barry studied English language teaching and attained a Master's in Applied Linguistics before joining as a Learning Development Tutor for Computer and Study skills in the Academy for Learning and Teaching Excellence.

He works with academics to design and deliver academic skills workshops and supports the Studyhub team in providing open-access and referral-based one-to-one support for students across all university sites, and is also involved in various Academy initiatives including the training of Student Experience Leaders (SELs) and improving our Academic Integrity Resource.

Barry holds ALDinHE Certified Practitioner (CeP) and AFHEA statuses.

Contact Barry via barry.poulter@beds.ac.uk

Anthea is one of the two part-time Maths and Statistics Tutors within Learning Development. She helps support our students from Foundation to Post-Graduate level in developing their numerical, data-handling and analysis skills for university and life beyond. Support is offered via workshops, 1:1 appointments (face-to-face and online), targeted Maths drop-ins, and through online learning resources.

Prior to joining the UoB in 2012, Anthea had worked as a statistician for the Government, in the private sector, and for Bedfordshire Police. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), has a BSc (Hons) in Maths, Statistics and Linguistics from the University of Hertfordshire, a Management MBA from what is now Bayes Business School, and a TESOL qualification.

When not working at the university she runs a business part-time, enjoys offshore sailing and mountain-biking.

Anthea works Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays and can be contacted via anthea.cowen@beds.ac.uk

Dr Farhana Gokhool joined the University in June 2023 and has taken on a role as Mathematics and Statistics Tutors in the Academy's Learning Development team. Farhana's role involves supporting students and staff through one-to-one sessions and embedded academic initiatives. She will also contribute to the Evaluation aspect of the Student Experience Leaders (SEL) programme.

Farhana completed her Ph.D. in Mathematics Education, which focused on understanding and remedying student engagement with mathematics and statistics support. In particular, she has worked on investigating demographic engagement and the role of mathematics anxiety in hindering student engagement. In addition, to her Ph.D. she also has a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics and is continually pursuing further academic development.

Farhana can be contacted at farhana.gokhool@beds.ac.uk

Liz joined the University of Bedfordshire as a Learning Development Tutor in 2024. She supports students with academic writing and skills development through designing and delivering workshops and offering one-to-one meetings. Liz works across the University but focuses on supporting students in the CATS Faculty. 

She worked in the University’s Centre for English Language for nine years and speaks several European languages having worked in Education in other parts of the world. Liz has a background in language teaching, training and examining, including English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), and has taught in secondary, further and adult education, the third sector and private language schools throughout her career.

Liz is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and holds a PhD in Education which focused on ‘developing mobile blended learning in adult ESOL’. Liz’s research interests are mobile blended learning, language teaching pedagogy and materials development.

Contact Liz via liz.wood@beds.ac.uk.

Dr Jin Tan joined the Academy for Learning and Teaching Excellence as a Senior Digital Learning Officer in November 2022. Jin’s key remits include developing strategic solutions that ensure the maximum value of the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) services is delivered to end users; promoting an institutional ethos that emphasises the importance of digital learning amongst key stakeholder groups; and liaising with external stakeholders to ensure the University is implementing digital learning best practices.

Previous to this role Jin was a System Support Developer/Analyst at Cardiff University, where she worked in managing, developing and supporting various e-learning systems for 14 years. Jin’s first degree is Computer Science. Between 2003 and 2008, she gained a MSc in Information and Knowledge Management and a Doctorate degree in Educational Informatics and worked in three HE sectors designing, developing and supporting e-learning services/courses.

Jin is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) and a Senior Certified Member of ALT (SCMALT). She has been a reviewer of the Research in Learning Technology Journal since 2017 and a CMALT assessor since 2018. Jin’s particular interests lie in sustainable digital learning services, technology adoptions, and digital capabilities improvement.

Contact Jin via Jin.Tan@beds.ac.uk

Luke joined the Academy for Learning and Teaching Excellence as a Digital Learning Officer in October 2022. He is responsible for helping maintain and manage the learning management systems used in the University’s virtual learning environment. Within that, Luke supports academic staff, takes part in digital learning related projects, and contributes to the incorporation of new technologies within BREO.

He completed his BA in International Business and Management, at the University of Central Lancashire. After Graduating he worked as Faculty Executive Administrator in Health and Social Sciences at the University of Bedfordshire.

Contact Luke via luke.jones@beds.ac.uk

T: 01582 483287

For technical support contact BREO support

Izzy works in the Academy for Learning and Teaching Excellence as a Digital Learning Officer. Her recent work has related to online academic writing support software whereby students can request formative feedback on draft assignments. She has played a central role in software deployment, training and evaluation.

Izzy's degree studies where in International Relations with English. After graduation she worked as a Digital Learning Developer at University of Exeter.

Izzy is interested in employability and widening participation particularly for underrepresented groups. Her past research interests also included sexual abuse and human rights.

Contact Izzy via isabel.aruna@beds.ac.uk

Ferdausara joined the Academy for Learning and Teaching Excellence as a Digital Learning Officer in May 2023. Ferdausara is responsible for helping to maintain and manage the digital learning systems that make up the University’s virtual learning environment. Ferdausara also supports academic staff, and any related digital learning projects, as well as making valuable contributions to incorporate new technologies within BREO.

Ferdausara completed a BSc Hons in Business Studies and Management at the University of Salford. Prior to joining UoB in 2018, she worked in the financial and Telecommunications industries as well as for Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

In her spare time, Ferdausara likes to read, play badminton, cook and develop foreign Language skills.

Contact Ferdausara via ferdausara.islam@beds.ac.uk

For technical support, contact BREO support

Alina joined the Academy for Learning and Teaching Excellence as a Digital Learning Officer in May 2023. She plays a key role in maintaining and overseeing the digital learning systems comprising the University's virtual learning environment. Additionally, she provides invaluable support to academic staff and various digital learning initiatives. Her expertise extends to integrating cutting-edge technologies into BREO, further enhancing the overall learning experience.

Alina completed BA (Honours) Business Management at the Open University. Prior to joining the University of Bedfordshire, she worked in the EU Launch Learning and Development team for Amazon Robotics.

When away from the office, Alina embarks on thrilling adventures with her beloved VW old-school van, embracing her passion for travel and exploring new places and cultures.

Contact Alina via alina.bajgrowicz@beds.ac.uk

For technical support contact BREO support

Tai Luong is the Learning Analytics Business Manager. With extensive experience in supporting Digital Learning systems, Tai assists with the management of digital learning and learning analytics systems and oversees various projects to expand the application of learning analytics and promote digital learning excellence across the University.

Tai specialises in leveraging stakeholder and institutional data gathered from system analytics to evaluate existing digital learning practices and suggest improvements.

Tai is a certified Prince2 and ILTL 4 Practitioner and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Contact Tai via: tai.luong@beds.ac.uk

Loretta Gora is part of the Academy of Learning and Teaching Excellence's Administration & Communications team, providing administrative support to colleagues, and assisting with Academy communications and engagement.

Being the first point of contact via the Study Hub, Loretta helps to correctly signpost and find resolutions for student inquiries.

Loretta is also a proud alumnus, having studied BA in Travel and Tourism, followed by a PGCE at the University of Bedfordshire.

Contact Loretta via loretta.gora@beds.ac.uk