Q&A with Exeter Staff

Hello, I am Sarah Cole, I am the Senior Tutor for the School of Education and you may also see me in my role as the Director of the MA Education Leadership and Management Programme.

As a sociologist with a keen fascination for ‘education’, I am deeply engaged in understanding how individuals navigate and are influenced by power structures. My academic passion lies in exploring intersecting factors that motivate individuals and shape their interactions within power relationships. I seek to analyse how personal and systemic forces influence individual agency and social outcomes. I am particularly interested in sensitive topics in educational contexts and navigating spaces ethically and ‘care’fully.

The thing I love about working at Exeter is that I get to work with some fabulous colleagues who are supportive, collegiate and inspirational!

Furthermore, I get to work with a diverse range of students that bring alternative perspectives on education and life. I love to see students flourish whilst studying with us and I get to support those who may experience challenges along the journey, and most importantly, help them find their way back to thriving.

I also love scholarship and being in an educational context provides an environment for me to keep learning and sharing this with others.

What will you see me doing?

As well as teaching, being a personal tutor and a supervisor I am a trained coach and so you will see me talking and listening – a lot!

You may see me walking around the Quad trying to get my step count up, which is a challenge as I spend a lot of time working at my desk in Baring Court. I teach online as well as on campus and when I can, I work on my research.

What else do I get up to?

You may also see me at the School of Education events, for example the Staff/ Student Conference in June. Events are a good opportunity to meet people and to help me to feel connected to others and part of a thriving community.

When I am not at work, I like to spend time with my family and friends.

I’m always happy to talk about…

I’m deeply interested in engaging with others on a personal level and value meaningful conversations. I enjoy talking about aspect of leadership, for example, coaching and diversity, as well as on challenging topics like gender-based violence, grief and loss. I believe that through empathy and open dialogue, we can make a real difference. For me, relationships, respect and wellbeing are central to my work.

I look forward to connecting with you!

Hi everyone, I am the director of the new MA Technology and Education Futures programme (previously the MA Technology, Creativity and Thinking). I used to be an online learning support officer, before doing my PhD on primary school children’s talk and collaboration around and via computers. I am originally from the Netherlands (I did my PhD there), before moving to the UK to work as a Research Fellow at the Open University in 2003, and later as a senior research fellow at Cambridge University. I started working at Exeter University since 2009, so have been walking around at St Luke’s for a loooooong time!

Dialogue and collaboration with and without technology has always been my main research interest, although recently, I have become more and more interested in the potentials (and potential issues) of AI in education. However, the importance of dialogue is not something I have forgotten, and I am thus very interested in wider dialogues about AI and technology in education, in particular about the ways in which technology impacts pedagogy, and vice versa.

I love working in Exeter because we have amazing students and wonderful colleagues. Everyone loves collaborating and sharing ideas, that help to inspire our research and teaching. I love that our students are from all over the world, bringing interesting perspectives from their own personal backgrounds and cultures.

What will you see me doing?

I teach on the MA Technology and Education Futures, in our two core modules (Technology, learning & pedagogy and Digital Education Futures), as well as on other MA modules. I also teach language development to our Psychology students and supervise quite a few MA, MSc and PhD students.

What else do I get up to?

I am an avid sailor and my teenage daughter is sailing for team GBR, so I am travelling around the country nearly every weekend with a small boat in tow to support her (you can see a picture of her and her sailing partner at this year’s world championships in Italy below).

In the summer, I like to sail on our own sailboat, a small cabin cruiser, which we keen in the Netherlands. It is getting quite small for my husband and I and two teenagers, but we seem to manage to squeeze in each year to enjoy the sea and lakes around the Netherlands.

I’m always happy to talk about…

Technology and Education and dialogue in education (obviously), and I’d love to hear whether and how you are using AI in your learning and our teaching. I am also really interested in talking about language in general (my children are tri-lingual, as we speak Dutch at home and they are attending Welsh-speaking schools). And if you like to come to Cardiff (which is where I live), do let me know. I am always happy to give recommendations about where to go, stay and eat!

Hi, I am Ruth Flanagan, and you may come across me in a range of roles at the University of Exeter.  I am a senior lecturer in Education, the Race Equality Resource Officer (RERO) and the Academic Lead for Student Support (Inclusion, Race and Equality) for the School of Education (ALSS). I have taught at primary, secondary, adult education, undergraduate and post graduate levels.  I love travelling and have lived and worked in a range of countries.

I love working in Exeter because the city is close to beautiful scenery such as the sea and the moors. Exeter has the amenities of a city (a museum, a Cathedral, galleries, music, and theatre) but the friendliness and compactness of a town. I love working at the university with a wonderfully supportive team of colleagues and fantastic students who are passionate about education.

What will you see me doing?

You might see me lecturing on a range of courses or meeting up with students in Cross Keys.  I love meeting up with students to support them in my RERO and ALSS roles and cake and coffee keep me going!

What else do I get up to?

As well as travelling, I love to sing. I sing in a local gospel choir, Soul of the City Exeter, as well as in a local Jazz group. You may have seen my choir on the BBC Gospel choir of the year competition in January 2024. We hold regular concerts so do come along! I love reading so you might also find me in a library – one of my happy places.

I’m always happy to talk about…

I am always happy to talk about education, intercultural communication and awareness. I love to learn about student’s experiences and how we can improve your experiences in Exeter. I am happy to support students who encounter racism and discrimination, so please do get in touch. My RERO role stands outside of the assessment process and is confidential so please do come and talk to me if you or a fellow student experience any discrimination or racism.

Soul of The City Gospel Choir |

I love working at Exeter because I’m surrounded by people from different backgrounds, languages, and cultures. This gives me motivation and energy, and generally enriches me as a person. The University of Exeter is a very positive, supportive, nourishing place in which you are able to be yourself. More generally, although I don’t actually live in Exeter, I love coming to Exeter. As soon as I arrive at St David’s station or I drive into St Luke’s, I feel like I’ve come into another world: quiet, peaceful and friendly, where I can leave the hustle and bustle behind of where I live (close to Bristol). I adore Devon and the surrounding areas, especially the coastal areas.

What will you see me doing?

I am Programme Leader for the MEd TESOL, so TESOL students will see me a lot, not just in classes but in events like the TESOL Research Day and the Student-Staff Quiz. I also engage a lot with the TESOL student representatives and like to try and do what I can to maximise their student experience. In addition to the Programme Lead role, I am also “Education Lead” for the School of Education, so non-TESOL students will probably run into me at some point, and at the very least on our Success for All module. I’m involved in things like adding new modules, adapting existing programmes, and working on international student recruitment activities.

What else do I get up to?

Teaching and learning activities make up about half my time. The rest of the time I’m involved in various other things. I supervise and assess PhD students, I mentor more junior members of staff, and I’m involved in research. Like many academics, I’m constantly writing and trying to get my work published in international journals and applying for external funding to work on research projects (the cycle of acceptance and sometimes rejection is part of being an academic!). I’m really interested in educational change management, especially when it comes to “learner-centred education” (most of my publications and research is linked to this in some way). I take any opportunities to travel abroad and collaborate with international partners. Recently I’ve been to Mexico and Indonesia, and I’m hoping to extend the research to Japan, Vietnam and Tanzania in the near future.

Outside the University, I like to keep as fit and active as possible. I’m currently walking/running the South-West Coastal Path, a 1000-kilometre coastal route from Dorset (near Bournemouth) all the way round to Minehead in Somerset. I do the path little-by-little and I’ve done about a quarter of it already, including from Bournemouth to Exeter and on past Torquay! I love dogs and have a four-year old sprocker spaniel called Bobby, who loves to run and keeps me fit! I like cycling too and generally being outside. I’m a big football fan -even though it often makes me suffer- and I care deeply about my club Newcastle United. I try to travel as much as I can, especially to Latin America where I lived for 6 years (Mexico and then Colombia). Mexican food is my absolute favourite.

I’m always happy to talk about…

Football, cricket, chess, logic puzzles like sudoku, travelling, different cultures, Mexican recipes, UK politics (sorry!), cycling, running, the South-West Coastal Path, learner-centred education.

…and sometimes, talking about students’ assignments… 😊

I am a Senior Lecturer in STEM education.

After a degree in Chemistry and a PGCE, I taught for several years in England, Spain and New Zealand. Prior to joining Exeter I worked for the Royal Society of Chemistry, edited a science magazine and taught on the PGCE courses at the University of Oxford and King’s College London.

I love working in Exeter because the people I work with are great and my office has a lovely view!

What will you see me doing?

I am the Academic Conduct Officer for the School of Education, so I hope not to meet you in that role! I also teach on the science PGCE and online Masters programmes, supervise dissertations and doctoral students and am a department research ethics officer.

What else do I get up to?

I research students’ use of mathematics in science and science education policy. Outside work I enjoy reading, cycling, hiking, travelling and a cold beer on a hot day.

I’m always happy to talk about…

Great chemistry demonstrations, science education, education policy, good boxsets and travel destinations (the photo below was taken on the west coast of New Zealand).

 My name is Dr Caitlin Kight, and I am a lecturer in education studies. I joined the School of Education in 2022, but have been at the University of Exeter for almost 16 years, after immigrating to the UK from the USA. I started as postdoctoral researcher in Biosciences, since I originally trained as a behavioural ecologist (specialising in bioacoustics); I lectured in both Biosciences and Geography at our Penryn Campus. I have subsequently worked in Communications and Marketing and in the Academic Development teams.

The best part of working at Exeter is having the opportunity to interact with a diverse and inspiring group of staff and students. I tend to be involved in projects that are highly collaborative, with flattened hierarchies where factors like job title and age do not determine who can input, or how. Working in this way has allowed me to learn from and with people from a huge variety of cultures and countries. This has opened me eyes to many different traditions and approaches. I learn something new every day! 

What will you see me doing?

For our campus-based MA Education, I am co-lead of the dissertation module, and contribute to several other modules – primarily on topics such as creativity and social justice. For our MA Education online, I am co-lead of ‘Understanding Learning’ module. I am also an academic personal tutor and deliver optional extra-curricular workshops where students can relax and socialise with games and crafts. 

What else do I get up to?

I am involved in several initiatives that aim to improve wellbeing and mental health. For example, I am a Speak Out Guardian, which is an institutional role designed to tackle harassment and bullying. I am also a Colleague Mental Health Champion, a Mental Health First Aider, and co-lead of the Staff Wellbeing Network. Along with colleagues in the Academy of Nursing, I run the Creative Toolkit project, which uses crafting and other creative activities to support people experiencing bereavement, anxiety, and stress.  

I’m always happy to talk about…

Because I have had many jobs in many disciplines over the years, people often want to ask me about career planning. I am very happy to discuss any of my previous roles or disciplines, or to chat more generally about transferrable skills and how to transition from one type of work into another. I have also done quite a bit of outreach and public engagement, and am always delighted to talk about multimedia and creative communication, and about teaching and learning outside of conventional classroom spaces. My door is open to anyone who would like to chat, regardless of whether they have specific questions about particular topics; if you need something that I can’t personally offer, I can always signpost you to someone who will be more helpful! 

Hello all, I’m Annabel, currently Director of Education and Student Experience in the department. I teach across our Masters, PhD and Initial Teacher Education Programmes, and occasionally pop up in our undergraduate Learning for Teaching modules. I’ve been at Exeter since 2006 when I started a part time MEd while teaching English and Media Studies full time in a local secondary school. I was so inspired by the module on teaching writing that I started a PhD – and after finishing that I was lucky enough to move into a lecturer role in the department.

I love working at Exeter because of the wonderful community. It’s a privilege to work with people who want to make a positive difference to the world – both staff and students. I’m also frequently awed by the creativity people share!

What will you see me doing?

Many of you will see me in our Success for All module which campus Masters’ students are enrolled on – this is designed to support induction, academic and careers success. Student reps will see me in Staff-Student liaison meetings. I also pop up a lot in Welcome Week and our Staff-Student socials throughout the year – hopefully I will meet many of you then!

What else do I get up to?

My research focuses on how we teach writing – which involves lots of collaboration with teachers, schools, research and teaching organisations, and  international collaborators. I also enjoy working with my brilliant PhD students many of whom are working on projects exploring aspects of writing education.

I’m always happy to talk about…

Work-wise, I’m currently involved in university groups exploring use of generative AI in Education, assessment, inclusive education, and how to best support students in developing academic and employability skills – so I am always super-keen to hear thoughts or experiences relating to any of that. Talk to me too about teaching writing and teacher education.

Outside of work, I’m always ready to chat about dancing (ask me to recommend local adult ballet / contemporary classes), Sci-Fi (stop me any time if you want to chat about Severance or the German Netflix series Dark), or Dungeons and Dragons.

Hi, I’m Anthony Wilson. What I love about working at Exeter is my amazing colleagues and students. I genuinely learn from them every day. Exeter is also a place where I have experienced great kindness. I’ve been fortunate to work with people who have shown me enormous generosity – with their time, wisdom, learning, and carrot cake, sometimes all at once!

What will you see me doing?

You will see me on the lower floor of Baring Court teaching Primary PGCE English and hosting PGCE interviews. I also teach on the MA Dissertation module and a fabulous undergraduate programme called Learning for Teaching. For the last few years, I have also worked in the Schools of Medicine and Nursing, taking writing workshops on poetry and cancer. Most of all, I love sitting under the trees on the St Luke’s quad with a good cup of coffee. Very occasionally you might see me walking my little Schnoodle Millie between seminars (but don’t tell anyone).

What else do I get up to?

Outside of my work at the University, I am a poet, writing tutor and blogger. Ten years ago, my Lifesaving Poems blog became a bestselling poetry anthology with Bloodaxe Books. Given that I research in the field of children’s creative writing, I don’t really see my outside identity as separate to what I do in my day job. I volunteer in two local primary schools in Plymouth, where I live, one of them as a governor, and at my local church. I wish I had more time for protesting about what we are doing to our planet. You can often find me walking round Baring Court at the end of the day switching off the lights in empty teaching rooms…

I’m always happy to talk about…

As a creative practitioner, I have always been interested in creativity – where it comes from, how to nurture it and make it happen as part of everyday life. In another life, I was a singer and drummer, and have started wanting to make music again, even though I don’t consider myself to be a musician. Most of all, I love to hear about what is happening in primary education, particularly in terms of children’s literacy, which for me includes speaking and listening as much as reading and writing.

Hello All, I’m Dinah Warren, a senior lecturer in languages education. I’ve had various roles in the School of Education since I started working here in 2010, including Head of ITE (teacher training) and Programme Director for all of the PGCE programmes in turn. Now, I work almost exclusively on the Secondary Modern Languages PGCE – my absolute passion! Before I came here, I spent 23 years as a French and Spanish teacher in comprehensive schools in London and Devon. I loved teaching and never thought I’d find a job I enjoyed more. It turns out, helping amazing trainee teachers to become amazing teachers is an absolute joy!

I love working here because I’m surrounded by dedicated, compassionate and inspirational colleagues. I was quite nervous when I started but found my new community to be so welcoming and supportive. It’s great to share ideas and work collaboratively, and this happens all the time.

I can’t not mention my students here; I am in awe of their determination, resilience and talent and tell them regularly that the future is looking bright for their students.

What will you see me doing?

You’ll see me teaching in Baring Court most of the time, when I’m not out on school visits. My office is right by the staff kitchen in Baring Court, so I am frequently (and willingly) distracted when I’m there.

I have a few other responsibilities: I’m lucky to teach on the Education Leadership module on the MA Education, where I can use my coaching training to deliver a session on coaching and mentoring. I help coordinate PGCE interviews too, and enjoy meeting candidates and finding out their story and what led them to train to be a teacher. In my role as Fitness to Practise Lead, I often work with colleagues from the Medical School on campus.

You might also see me at one of the gym classes run by the St Luke’s Sports Centre – my current favourite is Pilates and I’m psyching myself up to try Circuits.

What else do I get up to?

I’m usually outside: walking our dog, on a beach, up a mountain, or down by the river. I have an allotment by the river where I can switch off, listen to the birds and focus on controlling the weeds. Just occasionally, I manage to grow something tasty, and really enjoy making jam, flavoured gin, chilli oils, etc. using food I have grown myself.

I love music and go to see live bands when they come this far south, or travel miles to see my favourites. I’m a keen pub quizzer (specialist topic: music) and film /TV watcher (currently most excited about season 2 of The Last of Us) when the nights get longer.

I’m always happy to talk about…

Workwise, I’m always happy to talk about teacher education, modern languages (and how we can get better at them here in the UK), and coaching and mentoring.

Outside of work, stop me any time to talk about gym classes, great places to walk or visit in Devon or further afield (I’m always planning trips to climb mountains and there aren’t any proper ones in Devon), growing vegetables … and, of course, my dog, Kipper.

Hello! You may know me from the MSc Psychology (campus and online) programmes and perhaps as co-lead of the Language and Education Network alongside the wonderful Dr. Gaby Meier. I also have the great pleasure of supervising PhD and DEdPsych students in the SoE.

I am interested in a whole host of research areas, but primarily children and young people’s mental health, neurodiversity, and multilingualism (and how these different strands interact). I previously worked in Exeter’s psychology department, teaching on the Education mental health practitioners (EMHP) programme. Before this, and before my PhD on bilingualism in autism, I worked as a secondary school teacher of foreign languages and have always been passionate about Education as an engine for social justice.

It is a great privilege to work in such a supportive and collegiate environment at the School of Education and I also love how beautiful our campuses are!

What will you see me doing?

My day-to-day activities include supervising, marking, responding to emails, meeting colleagues, planning teaching, and thinking up new avenues for my research (with varying levels of success!).

What else do I get up to?

I am currently training for my first marathon so spend a fair amount of time running around while listening to podcasts and, of course, also enjoy spending time with my family; we love exploring Dartmoor and the Devon coast and often find ourselves on unexpected adventures. I am a big football fan, but it comes at a price, as my team – Tottenham Hotspur – are not easy to watch!

I’m always happy to talk about…

How to improve mental health support for children and young people; Linguistic and cultural diversity; participatory research methods; and, how to parent toddlers! Please do send me a message if I can help with anything in relation to the Psychology programmes in the SoE or if we share some research interests – one of the joys of research is the many opportunities to collaborate and learn from one another.