Concordat Steering Group
A number of people are involved in governing The Researcher Development Concordat at LJMU. Please see below for our members:
Faq Items
Dr Hannah Timpson
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Role on Steering Group: Academic Co-Lead
Job role: Associate Professor in Socioeconomic Engagement in Health
School and Faculty: School of Nursing and Advanced Practice, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
I have managed an externally funded research team since 2012 and supported over 20 fixed-term researchers during this time. I started leading the CSG in 2020, building on my experience of managing fixed-term researchers and my desire to ensure that all researchers are nurtured and supported to grow and develop during their time at LJMU.
As Co-Lead, I report to the University Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee and contribute to relevant research-related strategic activity. I have thrived on having the opportunity to raise awareness of and address the challenges experienced by fixed-term researchers, giving a voice to our research community to bring about lasting positive change.
Email: H.Timpson@ljmu.ac.uk
Dr Tori Sprung
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Role on Steering Group: Academic Co-Lead
Job role: Reader in Clinical Exercise Physiology
School and Faculty: School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
I co-lead the CSG, a deliberate decision to ensure a balanced and collaborative distribution of responsibilities. Having spent seven years as a researcher on fixed term contracts, I am deeply committed to supporting the experience and development of research staff and helping them reach their full potential in academia. I also contribute to several equity, diversity, and inclusion panels and work to ensure the CSG’s activities are strategically aligned with wider institutional initiatives.
Email: V.S.Sprung@ljmu.ac.uk
Ellie McCoy
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Role on Steering Group: Externally funded researcher representative
Job role: Research and Project Manager (externally funded research only contract)
School and Faculty: School of Nursing and Advanced Practice, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
I have worked in a research capacity at LJMU for over 15 years, on a series of fixed term contracts and then on a permanent externally funded contract. I also manage research assistants on fixed term contracts. I am a member of the PHI Athena Swan group. I have been a member of the LJMU Concordat since 2020.
Email: E.J.McCoy@ljmu.ac.uk
Dr Sarah Taylor
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Role on Steering Group: Academic representative
Job role: Senior Lecturer in Physical Activity and Health
School and Faculty: School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
In 2023 I transitioned from a fixed term contract to a permanent lecturer post. After completing my PhD in 2018 I had four jobs in HE, three of which were fixed term contracts. I am passionate about sharing my experiences within these roles and to ensure that other staff members in similar situations can have positive and fulfilling roles.
Email: S.L.Taylor1@ljmu.ac.uk
Barbara Steele
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Role on Steering Group: HR representative
Job role: Head of HR Resourcing and Operations
Department: Human Resources
The HR Resourcing and Operations team support the complete lifecycle of all LJMU employees and being part of this steering group gives further insight into the role and contribution of fixed term research colleagues and how we can best support them in their career development.
Email: B.A.Steele@ljmu.ac.uk
Prof Susan Grant
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Role on Steering Group: Academic representative
Job role: Professor of Russian and Soviet History
School and Faculty: School of Humanities and Social Science, Faculty of Society and Culture
As an advisor to postdoctoral research fellows, I am keen to support fixed-term researchers and their career development.
Email: S.Grant1@ljmu.ac.uk
Jane Townend
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Role on Steering Group: Research and Innovation Services representative
Job role: Head of Knowledge Exchange
Department: Research and Innovation Services
Aligning and contributing activities from KE agenda to ensure continuity, relevance, and efficiency between the KE Concordat and RDC.
Email: J.C.Townend@ljmu.ac.uk
Dr Victoria Sheppard
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Role on Steering Group: Doctoral Academy representative
Job role: Researcher Development Manager
Department: Doctoral Academy
I work with doctoral researchers in my role but recognise that there is plenty of common ground between the career development needs of PGRs and research staff. This steering group is an opportunity to work with other teams who support researchers at different stages, allowing us to join up development provision for all early career researchers.
Email: V.M.Sheppard@ljmu.ac.uk
Rebecca Harrison
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Role on Steering Group: Externally funded researcher representative
Job role: Researcher (externally funded research only contract)
School and Faculty: School of Nursing and Advanced Practice, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
I have worked in a research capacity at LJMU since 2005. I am currently externally funded (until December 2028) as a Research Fellow working on the NIHR funded Health Determinants Research Collaboration alongside colleagues from Liverpool City Council, Liverpool CVS, University of Liverpool, Merseyside Play Action Council and Healthwatch. I am a member of the PHI Athena Swan group. I have been a member of the LJMU Concordat since 2020.
Email: R.Harrison@ljmu.ac.uk
Melanie Jones
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Role on Steering Group: Organisational Development representative
Job role: Organisational Development Practitioner
Department: Human Resources
I create and facilitate development opportunities for individuals and teams of academic and Professional Servies staff. My involvement with the Concordat helps to ensure that the development offer is relevant, timely, and impactful. Engaging with hundreds of staff across the year also means that I can highlight existing and emerging issues and concerns and advocate for positive and supportive change.
Email: M.Jones1@ljmu.ac.uk
Katherine Stephan
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Role on Steering Group: Library Services representative
Job role: Open Research Librarian (Development)
Department: Library Services
The Open Research team provides support to all researchers across LJMU, including PGRs. We also advocate, help and support with training and policies around open access, publishing, data management, responsible research assessment and metrics. We see this as an excellent opportunity to be linked in with researchers at LJMU but also help with transparency and promoting research at LJMU.
Email: K.D.Stephan@ljmu.ac.uk
Dr Paul Anderson
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Role on Steering Group: Academic representative
Job role: Senior Lecturer in Politics and PGR coordinator
School and Faculty: School of Humanities and Social Science, Faculty of Society and Culture
As HSS PGR coordinator and an active researcher at LJMU, I am committed to fostering an inclusive, positive and enriching research culture for both staff and PhD students and ensuring all researchers are supported in building fulfilling and sustainable careers.
Email: P.D.Anderson@ljmu.ac.uk
Prof Paul Newland
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Role on Steering Group: Academic Representative
Job role: Professor of Film and Architecture
School and Faculty: School of Art and Creative Industries, Faculty of Society and Culture
I work with doctoral researchers in my role. I can see that there is common ground between the career development needs of PGRs and research staff. This steering group is an opportunity to work with other teams who support researchers at different stages, allowing us to join up development provision for all early career researchers.
Email: P.Newland@ljmu.ac.uk
Dr Andrew Jones
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Role on Steering Group: Academic representative
Job role: Associate Professor
School and Faculty: School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
I teach research methods and statistics to psychology students at undergraduate and masters level. In the past I have held a series of fixed term roles in previous institutions. I am interested in open and reproducible science and represent LJMU as a local network lead within the UK Reproducibility Network. I’d like to use my experiences to help improve the research environment for current and future researchers.
Email: A.J.Jones@ljmu.ac.uk
Dr Martin Brooks
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Role on Steering Group: Research and Innovation Services representative
Job role: Head of Research Excellence and Research Strategy
Department: Research and Innovation Services
I am the Head of Research Excellence and Research Strategy in RIS. I have wide-ranging responsibilities. I lead preparations for LJMU’s REF 2029 submission, including developing the University’s REF 2029 Code of Practice and the institutional ‘Strategy, People, and Research Environment’ element. I am also responsible for research policy at the University and research integrity procedure, and for managing some central funding, including the Enhancing Research Cultures Fund. I am especially interested in ‘perceived fairness’ in higher education.
Email: M.G.Brooks@ljmu.ac.uk
Helen Cooper
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Role on Steering Group: Diversity and Inclusion representative
Job role: Diversity and Inclusion Advisor
Department: Human Resources
I am representing the institutional Diversity and Inclusion Team, supporting the Concordat by embedding inclusive practice, addressing structural barriers, and strengthening research culture for all researchers.
Email: H.M.Cooper@ljmu.ac.uk
Dr Andrea Livesey
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Role on Steering Group: Academic representative
Job role: Associate Professor of Engaged History
School and Faculty: School of Humanities and Social Science, Faculty of Society and Culture
I am an active researcher, specialising in public engagement and working with external partners. I am an advisor to a postdoctoral researcher, and I am keen to support the career development of fixed-term researchers.
Email: A.Livesey@ljmu.ac.uk
Dr Avril Rowley
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Role on Steering Group: Academic representative
Job role: Senior Lecturer in Primary Education
School and Faculty: School of Education, Faculty of Society and Culture
I am an academic actively engaged in educational research. My responsibilities include supervising doctoral and post-doctoral students, and I am committed to fostering a supportive research environment. I aim to ensure that early career researchers have the guidance and opportunities they need to develop successful academic careers.
Email: A.M.Rowley@ljmu.ac.uk
Prof Amos Fatokun
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Role on Steering Group: Academic representative
Job role: Professor of Pharmacology and Neuroscience
School and Faculty: School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
I am an academic leading an active research group comprising PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, some of whom are from overseas. Before my academic post, I worked as a postdoctoral fellow for about seven years in the US, UK and Australia, funded by fellowships such as the American Heart Association Postdoc Fellowship and the Marie Curie Fellowship. I understand the challenges that research staff face and I go beyond supervising by mentoring research staff for career success. I aim to use my wealth of experience to contribute to the activities of the CSG.
Email: A.A.Fatokun@ljmu.ac.uk
Krisztina Rudolf
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Role on Steering Group: PGR representative
Job role: PGR student
School and Faculty: School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
I contribute to the CSG as a PGR who is motivated to progress within academia and recognises the importance of creating supportive research environments. I am committed to helping ensure that the voices of early career researchers are represented, and that the CSG’s activities lead to meaningful and practical improvements for those navigating the academic pathway.
Email: K.Rudolf@2022.ljmu.ac.uk