Dominic Wiredu Boakye

Starting as a laboratory assistant and now a senior lecturer at the medical school, my academic journey has been unconventional to say the least. Along the way, my roles as a biology teacher at INTO and laboratory manger within technical services have provided me with a holistic view of our academic environment.

My extensive experience across academic and support roles provides me with insights into the daily realities of both sectors, enabling me to represent a wide range of perspectives in the senate.

One of my most rewarding moments in higher education was when a student, at the end of their final year laboratory project told me “I now know what I want to do after I graduate”—a testament to the positive impact a synergistic relationship between teaching-focussed, research-focussed academics and members of technical services can have on the student experience.

As a molecular biologist with a passion for education, I aim to leverage my experience to promote policies that enhance this synergy and improve the overall student experiences. I ask for your support to bring fresh, actionable insights to the University Senate.

James Butler

I am seeking election to the Senate, the senior academic forum of the University, so that I may represent your views and experiences as well as bringing my own. I am a Lecturer (Education & Scholarship) based at St Luke’s Campus, with a background in biomedical sciences. I teach and lead aspects of the curriculum across the BMBS Medicine and range of Medical Sciences programmes. I have recent personal experience of employment on fixed-term academic contracts at the University, so I can bring real experience of casualisation and precarity in modern higher education. Furthermore, as an early-career academic from a non- traditional background, and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I feel that I can represent a range of views that will diversify the Senate’s quite senior membership. Since joining the University of Exeter, I have taken on several leadership and management roles, including chairing a key committee in the Medicine programme and co-leading Widening Participation strategy at the Medical School level. At this critical time for UK Higher Education, I feel that I can contribute to – and help to positively shape – the University’s strategy through the Senate, and so I ask for your vote. 

Hope Gangata

I am a Senior Lecturer in Human Anatomy (E&S) and a Chartered Physiotherapist. I have a strong passion/interest in Anatomy and Neuroanatomy, and clinical anatomical education research.

I am an African trained scientist and regularly mentor African staff in the Faculty who periodically meet. I will bring my experiences of being a former international student. I am well aware of the big issues affecting current international students, and ever-changing UK worker and student visa regulations. I am an academic well embedded in EDI issues within the UK. I am the EDI Education Lead for the Anatomical Society of Great Britain, where I am promoting greater inclusion of diverse anatomical teaching within mainstream medical schools in the UK.

I will:

1. Be a voice for parts of our diverse students and staff university community.
2. Provide diversity input into the development of Senate university policies, and not make diversity issues a policy afterthought.
3. Advocate for policies that provide more support for Education and Research staff, enhance career stability/progression, and make our work more resilient and sustainable.
4. Represent concerns/interests of the Faculty members at Senate.

Offer periodic updates to the Faculty members and have an open-door policy for feedback/suggestions.

Talitha Kerrigan

My commitment to serving on Senate is driven by a deep belief in the transformative power of education. Currently, I’m involved in teaching delivery, academic operational oversight, and leading two departmental programs. With over 15 years of experience in biomedical research and education across various higher education institutions, I’ve developed a deep understanding of the complexities and challenges facing higher education and can bring with me extensive experience in research and education governance.

Students are at the heart of our university and I’m dedicated to ensuring we not only meet but exceed the expectations of students, staff, and stakeholders by focusing on academic excellence, inclusivity, and innovation.

If nominated, I’ll champion sustainable educational practices ensuring our programs remain resilient and adaptable. I’ll demand accountability in decisions affecting academic excellence and research enhancement, enabling us to tackle global challenges, contribute to societal progress, meet evolving educational needs, and solidify our global impact.

In addition to this, I’ll promote meaningful interactions and collaborations among students, faculty, and staff to build lasting relationships and a cohesive university community.

By fostering these connections, we will cultivate a sense of belonging, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and integral to our collective success.

Katie Lunnon

I joined the University as a new Lecturer in 2013, moving to Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor and then ultimately Professor in 2019. I currently am Director of Global Engagement for my department, and have other positions of leadership internally and externally. This includes being in the department leadership team, acting as a senior academic leader, chairing an external national grant funding board, and having senior roles in voluntary organisations, amongst others.

I would like to join the senate to represent my faculty as I would like to play an active part in shaping and supporting the vision and strategy for the University over the coming years, acting on behalf of my colleagues. As an academic, who has been at the University for 11 years, I feel I have a good understanding of our history, where we currently are, and where we want to be. I would also like to gain a better understanding of the governance at the University, whilst contributing actively towards this, in the best interests of my colleagues.

Anna Migdalska-Richards

My name is Anna Migdalska-Richards and I am an E&R lecturer within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences (Medical School) which I am hoping to represent in Senate. Being at the interface of teaching and research provides me with a strong position to understand and advocate the needs and aspirations of both academics and students.

In the past, I served as a student representative to the Senate of the University of Warsaw, which enabled me to voice students’ opinions and influence changes on key issues relating to academic and research strategies and policies. 

If elected, I would like to represent the views of academics who are at earlier stages of their careers to ensure an inclusive and democratic process. By channelling their voices, I would bring fresh perspectives, facilitating innovation and better outcomes for the entire University.

Additionally, I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of governance on one of the University’s Boards, actively contributing to the decision-making processes, and upholding the highest standards of academic and research quality across the University. 

Enriched by my previous experience and enthusiasm, I am committed to advocating for our University and driving positive change. Thank you for your support.

Neil Vaughan

With Senate membership I’d support furthering Exeter’s research excellence. Exeter’s REF 2021 identified world leading research, growing more than any Russell Group, 99.3% international quality, top 10 world leading impact. Exeter’s NSS 2022 achieved highest levels of student satisfaction in Russell Group. We’re number 1 provider of Degree Apprenticeships in Russell Group. Times Higher Education 2022 ranked Exeter 46^th most international university globally, 13^th in the UK. Top 15 in Guardian University guide, Top 50 in THE world university rankings 2022 and THE impact rankings 2022. Exeter was shortlisted for Times university of the year in 2023.

I would support inclusive culture, gender, ethnicity and disability for Exeter’s 30,000 students from 150 countries, 155,000 alumni in 183 countries, 6,700 staff in 100 countries.

I joined Exeter’s Medical School in 2019, after being full professor, director of research group at Teesside University and Associate Professor at University of Chester. My research received over 30 international innovation awards encompassing medical technologies.

I moved to Exeter in 1989 from London. I’ve worked in London’s med-tech industries, including LogicaCMG. I influenced founding Data Science Institutes at University of West London and Bournemouth University, during numerous academic positions. I’ve developed international collaborations including NHS Trusts.

Genevieve Williams

I am here to maintain and develop the rigours and joys of academia within the ever-changing landscape of research and higher education. I am an early-to-mid career researcher with experience working at three institutions in the UK and two institutions in the USA. I lead my own research group in biomechanics and motor control, and work with interdisciplinary partners across our university and around the world. I am passionate about research-led teaching supporting our academic and student experience. In my department, I have championed ambition, diverse career pathways, and community by fostering supportive and interdisciplinary research groups.

As your representative on senate, I will take a people-centric approach, working to support policy and university structures that allow individuals and their teams to do their best work and thrive. This will mean considering and voicing the needs of diverse individuals and groups across career stages, and career pathways. I will passionately voice the importance of community, including the value of those individuals who support the ambitions of others. I will work to instil the importance of our leaders supporting our ambitions. I believe this will underpin our ongoing excellence as a UK leading, and towards a world leading, institution.