Conference Advisory Group

Originally trained as a biologist, Dr Mahon has since worked across roles in educational and researcher development and as a Postgraduate Tutor.  She is currently Deputy Head of the Centre for Teaching and Learning at the University of Cambridge leading the Postgraduate Researcher Development team.  

Gemma Muckle works in the University of Manchester Researcher Development team, where her main focus is designing and delivering CPD for doctoral Supervisors. She also enables the development of doctoral researchers, work she’s enjoyed since 2005. A keen advocate of coaching approaches, her qualifications include ILM7 Executive Coaching.

Gina Wisker is a Principal fellow of the HEA, SFSEDA, and a National Teaching fellow serving on Council and publications committee for the SRHE, editing Innovations in Education and Teaching International for SEDA. Her key focuses include doctoral supervision, HE curriculum development, internationalisation, decolonisation, student learning, writing for academic publication and quality assurance.

Natasha Kitano is passionate about building inclusive, connected research cultures and enhancing supervisory practice. Her professional practice centres on PGR education, researcher development, and supervisor professional development. She designs and facilitates supervisor development initiatives across disciplines at QUT. She also holds leadership roles in national and international researcher development networks, including Mentoring for Researcher Developers (M4RD) and the Network for Researcher Developers (NeRDs). She also hosts the Australian version of the Supervisor Development Reading Group (SDRG) established in the UK for those people who develop research supervisors and cultures of good supervision.

Nico Pizzolato is the Director of Postgraduate Research at Middlesex University, London and Associate Professor in Global Labour Studies. He has a record of internationally recognised publications in social theory, social history, and professional doctorates. He is the convenor of the online course and community “Writing and Researching at the Crossroads”.

Sally Hancock is a Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of York. Her research sits at the intersection of higher education, science policy, and the sociology of education, with a particular focus on the career trajectories of doctoral graduates. Her recent work includes analyses of doctoral employment outcomes in the UK and a national review of doctoral training in the social sciences.

Saneeya Qureshi is a nationally recognised leader in researcher development, research culture and talent strategy. Her work spans institutional leadership, sector-wide collaboration and international engagement, with a particular focus on creating environments where researchers can do their best work. She is Head of Researcher Development and Culture at the University of Liverpool.

Tina Ramkalawan is Director of the Graduate School and Professor at Brunel University of London, responsible for doctoral and post-doctoral researcher development across the institution. She also leads the Brunel Integrated PhD programme, and has an interdisciplinary academic background in psychology, health & medical research. She has initiated and managed doctoral and post-doctoral programmes for funders including the MRC and EPSRC. She is a chartered psychologist and a qualified coach and mentor, and has previously served as a co-opted member of the UKCGE Executive Committee. Tina was elected as Vice-Chair in March 2025.