Staff celebrated for long service to the university

Staff have been celebrated for marking their career milestones of 25, 35, 45 and 50 years at the university.

54 members of staff, totalling 1560 years of service, have marked the long-service achievement in 2025 at LJMU's celebration event. This included Elizabeth Campbell (pictured below) who has been at LJMU for 45 years working as a Catering Assistant within the university's Campus Services team.

An academic career at LJMU

Another individual celebrating their milestone is Dr Shaqil Chaudary, who began his career at LJMU in 2000 as a lecturer in Pharmaceutical Sciences, and 25 years later is now Head of Subject, Pharmacological Sciences at LJMU.

LJMU is an amazing place to work.  It is an honour and privilege to teach students and to work with such talented staff.

Dr Shaqil Chaudary

He continued: “In my years here, whilst my main duties are in the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, I’ve been involved in a number of activities at both faculty and university level.  What this shows is the value LJMU puts in its staff’s opinions and ensuring decisions are well informed, which gives a real sense of worth.

“On a personal level, I always tend to remember my students on their first day and some years later at their graduation. Their oozing confidence and professional mannerisms is a credit to the LJMU team and it is really rewarding to watch them grow and that we get to be a part of that positive journey.”

Student to a Professor

Professor Zoe Knowles’ journey with LJMU began in 1993 as an undergraduate student studying Coaching Science.

“I started here as a student and never left! I studied an undergraduate degree, my masters in Sport Psychology, became a teaching assistant and then continued my career as a lecturer in Sports Coaching. Twenty five years later, I’m now Professor of Engagement and Learning, in the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences.”

“I have had the pleasure of working with directors of school and university senior leaders who have supported projects, initiatives and roles with a keen ‘let’s try that’ approach, and that has helped me to forge firsts for the university and the sector.

“One of my fondest memories, over the past 25 years, is my professorial lecture in 2017 where staff, current students, family and friends celebrated the achievement with me. I’m a big believer of ‘paying it forward’ and when I mentor staff, I always encourage this sentiment. I would like to think that is what I have done, following the support from many individuals over the years, and that future staff and students will go on to ‘pay it forwards’ too.”

Working at LJMU

Long service recognition is part of LJMU’s People Plan and is one of the benefits of working at the university.