Community Engagement Strategist
NHS Trainee Genomic Counsellor
I engage a wide range of people in dialogue about health, genetics and research. I like to create exciting and meaningful engagement with communities to improve health and research practices. I'm now using my degrees in genetics and my 10+ years experience in community engagement to train as a genomic counsellor in the NHS.
Education
2015
University of Leicester
PhD in Genetics
2011
Kings College London
BSc (Hons), Genetics
In progress
NHS Scientist Training Programme
Trainee Genomic Counsellor
University of Manchester
MSc Genomic Counselling
Professional Development
Arts in Health Research Intensive
UCL, University of Florida
Racial Equity Action Learning Set
National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement
Engage Academy Masterclass
National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement
Aurora Leadership Programme
The Leadership Foundation
Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods
University of Leicester
Local and Regional Community Organising
Citizens UK
Publications
Supacell: an important mirror for research and medicine - UWE Sci Comm Unit
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Engaging with communities: a pathway to shared decision making - Genomics England
Lessons from the field: the role of agility in a coproduction project encompassing the COVID-19 pandemic - Health Expectations
What Works: Artist and Researcher Collaborations – National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement
Professional Experience
From 2022 to Present
Community Manager
Genomics England
Carved out opportunities for partnership working and community engagement for a genomics diversity initiative Diverse Data. Focused on engaging communities who are underrepresented in research and sickle cell patient engagement and advocacy. Enabled the implementation of more equitable practices.
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Established new partnership opportunities to drive innovation e.g. Priority Setting Partnership for Sickle Cell Genomics.
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Created new opportunities for demonstrating values and sharing best practice e.g. capturing true voices of communities and their perception of research through a cocreated video
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Boosted engagement and established trust by improving involvement of a range of experts inc. patients and carers for a sickle cell genomics research programme
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Established and maintained an expert by experience group for sickle cell genomics to facilitate meaningful engagement and involvement, called the Patient Voice Group
2021-2022
Senior Engagement Manager Attenborough Arts Centre
University of Leicester
Implemented a novel learn-by-doing programme to foster collaborative creativity among 10 experts with a reach of 100 diverse people while providing exciting case studies for the sector in training approaches. Nurtured critical thinking among executive leadership regarding the value of art-based partnership in academia.
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Aided in developing impactful partnerships between arts and research and created new growth opportunities by devising and executing robust academic and civil engagement strategies.
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Reduced barriers to participation and improved collaboration among artists, communities, and researchers by creating and launching a new innovative programme Creative Engagement Fellowships.
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Planned, developed, and implemented an academic engagement strategy and launched a number of projects to execute new strategies. Summary public webinar available on YouTube.
2017-2021
Public Engagement Manager
University of Leicester
Led the development of an institutional public engagement strategy. Cultivated a public engagement culture to create new opportunities for the role of engagement and impact. Developed and refined skills in community-driven engagement through leading Leicester Voices, a community-led listening priority setting project for health, and U.matter Leicester, a community engagement programme focused on arts, culture and health. Co-developed best practice guidelines with top sector organisations to foster artist-researcher collaboration to improve public engagement.
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Delivered various sessions at national conferences as an active and noticeable contributor to the sector-wide dialogue.
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Facilitated in developing and securing high-profile large funding grants inc. for NHS-based research centres. Created an innovative model for community-led, institutionally facilitated engagement across civic partners as a co-investigator.
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Organised several researcher training and events as well as supported in delivering high-quality engagement for research across the university in multiple disciplines.
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Launched an innovative community partner programme, releasing over £200K in funding to boost community health engagement among 5000 participants from diverse backgrounds.
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Led and delivered various strategic projects with a focus on developing civil social responsibility, research engagement, and community-led engagement.
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Recognised for steering innovative thinking and driving engagement in East Midlands Women’s Award 2020.
2015-2017
Science Engagement Executive Waltham Centre
Mars Petcare
Supervised the training of a wide variety of staff members to provide science- and business-relevant concepts as part of an engaging and educational visitor experience. Developed a brand-new position providing day-to-day support in customer interactions. Led the business engagement efforts for the principal research centre serving the worldwide business.
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Raised the amount of scientific information on the site by 30%, increased user satisfaction by 35%, and refined the delivery of a business visitor experience.
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Shifted priorities toward maximising the reputational value of science communication and engagement, resulting in increased funding for dedicated positions.