When did you join UCL and where were you before?
I'm a UCL newbie! I started on 1 July 2025, which was the UCL Risk & Disaster Reduction annual conference. It was a very busy first day, but an exciting one. And it was a great opportunity to meet my new colleagues in-person and get an overview of what the department does.
My previous position was as Marketing and Communications Manager at a small non-profit, Fun Palaces. With a tiny team of 5, it's a very different environment from UCL.
Tell us about your work at UCL - how do you spend your days, and what makes your role different to similar positions elsewhere?
I work part‑time in a hybrid pattern. As a one‑person comms function within the department, my work is wide‑ranging: from creating content for prospective students and promoting events, to sharing research outputs, celebrating achievements, and engaging alumni.
Unlike faculty‑ or university‑level roles, I’m embedded directly in the department, which means I work closely with students, academics, and professional services colleagues. That proximity makes the role distinctive: I’m not just broadcasting messages, but helping to tell the department’s story from the inside.
What are some of your favourite things about working at UCL? How have you found it different to previous jobs?
What I enjoy most is the sense of purpose: UCL is educating the changemakers of the future while producing world‑class research that addresses global challenges. Being part of that mission makes the work meaningful.
Compared to previous roles, the difference lies in both the variety of responsibilities and the scale of the organisation. At UCL, I need to understand how my work fits within a much larger community of colleagues across the faculty and university. That complexity can be challenging, but it also means there’s a wealth of shared expertise and resources to draw on, which makes collaboration especially rewarding.
Can you tell us about any current or future projects that you're looking forward to working on?
I’m excited to see the results of a new promotional video for our Risk, Disaster and Resilience MSc, which I coordinated filming for over the past few months. It’s a great opportunity to showcase the programme’s strengths to prospective students.
Another priority is optimising the department’s website following migration to a new content management system so that our programmes, research, and achievements are presented in the clear, engaging way they deserve.
Have you always been based in London? If not, when did you move here, and how did you find adapting to living in London?
I was born and raised in Southeast London, and I’ve always loved the city’s diversity: the people, the experiences, and the sense that everything you could want is right on your doorstep.
I also studied here at UCL, graduating with a Biological Sciences MSci in 2015, and it feels special to be back a decade later. After graduating, I spent a year living in New Zealand. The natural beauty and relaxed pace of life there almost tempted me to stay, but ultimately my deep connections to London brought me home.
Finally, tell us about your non-work life. Do you have any hobbies, or favourite places to go in London?
Outside of work, I like to keep life varied and creative. I enjoy family cycle rides, which are a great way to explore London’s green spaces.
Music has always been a passion: I used to perform regularly in a band, and while I’m more of a bedroom artist these days, I still enjoy producing my own songs.
Gardening is another outlet. This year I’ve been growing a pumpkin plant with my kids that’s just about ready to harvest.
I feel lucky to have access to woods and parks in Southeast London, which give me space to switch off. More centrally, I love the buzz of the Southbank and walking along the river.