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 CPD and Short Courses

An experienced Business Analyst and Software Developer, Gordon started his career in the British Army as an Electrical Engineer. He later managed a regional catering supply chain before starting his own automotive manufacturing business, building robotic dispensing equipment for the likes of BMW and Jaguar Land Rover amongst others.

Gordon designs professional learning & development programmes to improve efficiency and productivity for organisations across Europe as well as building capacity on the already outstanding University’s Apprenticeships - making a real difference to local organisations and residents.

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.

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 ERDF 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 and Communications Officer

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

In addition to the ESIF funded research and innovation projects, she supports the University's collaborations and external engagements with the local and regional partner organisations, businesses and charities. Oxana also represents the University on the Arc Universities Group' (AUG's) Editorial & Communications Board.

Oxana graduated from Solent University with a degree in Photography and since worked predominantly within the private sector. Oxana has more than 8 years' experience within the marketing field.

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.

Apprenticeships & CPD Co-ordinator

Frances joined the University of Bedfordshire in September 2020 to support the Registrations team on a temporary contract, before joining the Research & Innovation Service in November 2021.

She has over 40 years of administrative experience across many sectors, working for large and small companies including Whitbread, Costa, Selex (now Leonardo), NHS and Luton Borough Council, as well as 12 years’ experience in the legal sector as a conveyancer. Frances has excellent working knowledge of various departments, such as, but not limited to HR, accounts, L&D, purchasing and estate agency.

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.

Training Facilities Coordinator

Karen joined the University over 20 years ago, with a background in sales, customer service and marketing. Karen co-ordinates and supports both internal and external events, large or small, within Venue Bedfordshire for the Research & Innovation Service.

Business Partnership Officer

Rachel joined the University of Bedfordshire Research & Innovation Service in February 2018 as a Business Partnerships Officer. During her twenty-five-year career in the Education sector Rachel worked in a variety of settings including several Primary Schools and workplace nurseries. She became an Assistant Head Teacher leading Lower Key Stage Two Provision, PE, English, Science, Pastoral Care and Community Engagement.

Rachel has worked for the University of Bedfordshire for 5 years alongside the University of Brighton for 18 months. She supports organisations with innovation, research, academic consultancy and grant applications. She specialises in Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.

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.

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.

PA to Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research & Innovation Service

Chloe joined the University in 2022, moving from the South-West to support the work of Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation where she assists in project and diary management.

Chloe has a background of management in admissions and Customer Service in FE, with her career starting in the Health and Social Care sector.

Engagement Coordinator

Louise Wilde started working at the University of Bedfordshire in May 2004, supporting ESF funded training and consultancy projects. Louise's experience spans client engagement, sales and marketing and project administration support across multiple ESF/ERDF funded programmes, networking events and commercial short course programmes. She currently supports Business Partnership Managers and academics with business engagement activities.

Engagement Coordinator

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.