Spotlight: Richard Marsh

This month IEHC talks to Richard Marsh, Institute Manager for UCL's Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care (IEHC) What is your role and what does it involve? Institute Manager - UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care (IEHC).

IEHC has been through a number of changes over recent years, but my role requires me to work across the Institute (which is currently comprised of four research departments over two sites), working closely with our Institute Director, HoRDs, education and research leads and a core team of Professional Service staff (supporting work across Finance, Human Resources, Research Administration, and Education). The role also requires close working relationship with the Faculty Director of Operations and the Managers of the other six institutes within our Faculty. With the changing education, research and financial landscapes this is certainly a challenging time to be in this role.

How long have you been at UCL and what was your previous role?

I've held a variety of posts at UCL since joining back in 1995 (yes, that long ago). These have been in central Professional Service departments such as UCL Finance Division as well as more recent roles within academic departments/institutes. Over this time I've been fortunate enough to have developed an extensive network of colleagues from across many different areas of the College.

What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?

Actively supporting the development of staff within my team and enabling them to achieve their goals and realise their potential is particularly rewarding. Over the years a number of them have gone on to secure senior administrative roles across UCL and elsewhere in the higher education sector.

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

As with many of us here, there too often feels like there are many competing demands for the top of my to-do list, but one of the currently priorities is securing renewal of the IEHC Athena SWAN Silver Award and delivering on broader EDI objectives which will hopefully lead to positive cultural change across the Institute.

What is your favourite album, film and novel?

This is one of those impossible questions to answer as they typically change daily. I have a reasonably extensive collection of records (I refuse to call it 'vinyl') and cd's (including David Bowie, Manic Street Preachers, Mogwai, Belle and Sebastian, Edwyn Collins, Wave Pictures, Sonic Youth and Radiohead to name but a few)…..and I didn't even get to the films or books.

Who would be your dream dinner guest?

Any or all from the list above….but I don't think my neighbours would appreciate it.

What is your favourite place?

The very tiny oasis of calm that is my back garden in North East London…..which I don't get to spend much time in at all.

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