Our Academic Steering Committee

​Paul Wakeling is Dean of York Graduate Research School, and Professor of Education at the University of York. His research field is the sociology of higher education, focusing in particular on inequalities in postgraduate access and participation. He has considerable experience working at the research/policy interface. This has included being part of the team which undertook the review of the social sciences PhD for the Economic and Social Research Council, evaluating the Higher Education Funding Council’s Postgraduate Support Scheme initiatives, and advising UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) on research students in the Graduate Outcomes Survey. Most recently, he has led a workstream as part of the OfS/Research England-funded Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education.

​Deborah Lycett is Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research Skills & Education, and Director of Health & Community Wellbeing Research at Coventry University. She was previously Director of Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Director of the Centre for Intelligent Healthcare, and Professor in Religious Health Interventions and Dietetic Practice. Deborah’s international research focuses on the biopsychosocial-spiritual model of health to improve the lives of those living with dietary and nutrition-related conditions. With 20 years of clinical experience, she has pioneered the concept of spiritual care in dietetic practice and investigated the impact of faith-based health interventions. Her extensive leadership includes serving as a Non-Executive Director for Birmingham Community HealthCare Foundation NHS Trust and formerly chairing the British Dietetic Association (BDA) Quality Standards Committee. Through her diverse research partnerships across the NHS, public health departments, and beyond, she aims to make integrated, accessible healthcare available to all.

Rebecca Oakey is Professor of Epigenetics in the department of Medical & Molecular Genetics. Her research interests involve the study of (epi)genetics and molecular biology in health and disease, with a focus on imprinted birth defects and cancer biology. Rebecca began her research training at the university of Oxford and undertook her post-doctoral training and an Assistant Professorship in the United States before returning to the UK and joining King's. Over the course of her academic career she has trained numerous early career researchers and developed a strong interest in all aspects of graduate training, taking on the strategic leadership role as Dean for Doctoral Studies for King's in 2018.

Sarah Pearson is Professor of Social Policy Research at the Centre for Regional Economic Research, and Dean of Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange at Sheffield Hallam University. She is an expert in neighbourhood renewal and community engagement. She is Director of the Centre for Collaboration in Community Connectedness, a recent £10m UKRI investment under its Creating Opportunities, Improving Outcomes priority. The Centre brings together researchers, practitioners, policy makers, funders and residents to deliver an ambitious vision for better connected communities across the UK. Her other work includes a review of neighbourhood renewal (in partnership with Local Trust), and evaluations of place-based approaches to supporting young people at risk of knife crime and violence (Youth Endowment Fund), the Early Action Neighbourhood Fund (National Lottery Community Fund), and Children’s Communities (Save the Children UK). Between 2001 and 2010, she was Deputy Director of the ten-year evaluation of the New Deal for Communities Programme.

Rebekah Smith McGloin is the Director of Research Culture and Environment at Nottingham Trent University, where she leads the strategic development of doctoral education, research culture and inclusive research environments. As Chair of the UK Council for Graduate Education (UKCGE), she provides national leadership on doctoral policy, governance and sector development. She also serves as Principal Investigator of the Equity in Doctoral Education through Partnership and Innovation (EDEPI) project and leads the Co(l)laboratory Research Hub, developing civic-engaged doctoral pathways across the East Midlands. Across Rebekah’s roles, she is committed to building a research ecosystem that enable diverse communities of researchers to thrive and that position doctoral education as a catalyst for social change.

Jeanette Woolard is Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Researcher Academy and Research Culture Development, and Professor of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pharmacology at the University of Nottingham. Her research focuses on cardiovascular physiology and molecular pharmacology, particularly VEGF, receptor tyrosine kinases and GPCR signalling. She leads the Haemodynamics Laboratories, applying innovative methods to understand how drugs influence cardiovascular function and receptor behaviour. Her work has been supported by major funders including the MRC, BBSRC, BHF and Wellcome Trust, alongside industry partners such as AstraZeneca, Promega and Heptares.