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Seven questions with Sally Mackenzie

15 September 2016

This week meet Sally Mackenzie, Head of Student Engagement, who is based in the Office of the Vice-Provost, Education & Student Affairs.

Seven questions with Sally Mackenzie Sally's role is to ensure that students can take an active role in shaping the UCL experience, from giving feedback through a survey or leading a project team to make a change in a department. Sally hails from Lancashire and growing up she had a pet cow, Clara, who made front page news for being 'The Oldest Cow in Britain'.

What does your role involve and how long have you been at UCL? What was your previous role?

I started this role in December 2015, having worked at the UCL Institute of Education as Campaign Manager in the Marketing Team for almost 3 years.

My role at UCL was a new position and my aim is to ensure that students have the opportunity to take an active role in shaping the UCL experience, whether this is giving feedback through a survey or leading a project team to make a change in a department. The Education Strategy 2016-2021 is led by our Office which means I can make sure students play an active role when we develop new strategies and ideas that impact on education and the student experience at UCL.

What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?

Seeing the response rates climb for surveys this year was great - completing a survey isn't exactly every students' top priority but they are important and the results do drive change, so hopefully this message is getting across to students.

We were pleased with the launch of the PTES survey too. Working at the IOE, where the majority of students are postgraduate, gave me some insight into how tough it can be for PGT students to juggle their studies and other responsibilities, so I'm glad we're taking steps to explore what else we can do to support postgrad students.

Tell us about a project you are working on now which is top of your to-do list?

My key focus at the moment is focusing on telling students what we are doing with their feedback and input and offering them opportunities to work with us to drive change. Whilst it's good response rates have increased this year, if we're not communicating regularly about how feedback is used, what changes are ahead, or give a reason why change isn't possible, then we can't expect students to want to engage.

We've just launched a website where we will publish this information and students will also see more information around the campus during the first term.

What was your first job straight out of university?

I was a recruitment consultant and every Sunday evening I say a little thank you that I am no longer in that job!

What is your favourite and least favourite thing about London?

Favourite thing….great restaurants everywhere. Least favourite thing…commuting.

Who would be your dream dinner guests?

David Mitchell, Grace Dent and Cillian Murphy. And if we're including dead people then Anne Boleyn. Weird dinner party.

What would it surprise people to know about you?

I grew up on a farm visitor centre in Lancashire and our pet cow, Clara, made front page news for being 'The Oldest Cow in Britain' (it was never actually formally verified, but she was 30 and nobody came forward with an older candidate).