Our team

Dr Clegg is a Reader in Doctoral Education in the School for Arts and Creative Technologies at the University of York and Co-PI/Director of RSVP. An experienced Researcher Developer and senior manager, Karen has created and implemented policy, and has designed and delivered award-winning accredited programmes for research students, fellows and academic staff. Her research and publication portfolio includes assessment, reflective practice and doctoral education. She is an elected executive member of several professional bodies, a trained coach and an accomplished conference speaker.

Dr Tom Jackson is the Project Manager for RSVP. He brings a wealth of experience to the role, having prior management and research positions within both academia and industry. He has project managed several high profile UKRI-funded projects spanning sectors as diverse as aerospace, transport, neuroscience, nuclear power and data science. He was a research scientist with the Joint Research Centre of the European Committee in Ispra, Italy, and part of the BAE Future Systems research group. His research interests span neural networks and Artificial Intelligence, condition monitoring, data mining and embedded systems.

Dr Róisín Astell is a Digital Resource and Researcher Developer for RSVP. She works across the design, development and delivery of supervisor development resources and interventions.

Reena Morar is the Communications and Admin Manager for the project. As part of her role, she coordinates work package activities and communications across the project alongside development of the University of York’s Research Supervisor Programme. Reena has previously worked in Internal Communications at the University of York where she supported the delivery of large-scale communication campaigns.

Dr Tresidder is an Associate Professor of Marketing at Sheffield Hallam University. During his long academic career, Richard has validated PhDs and Professional Doctorates and managed doctoral programs. Richard is a UKCGE Recognised Research Supervisor and has developed and managed development programs for doctoral supervisors, delivering these both in the UK and internationally.

Dr Adams is an Associate Professor in Education in the Sheffield Institute of Education and a Principal Fellow (PFHEA). Her research focuses on mathematics education, teacher learning and doctoral researchers’ experience. Previously, she led postgraduate research in the Sheffield Institute of Education and led the Doctorate in Education (2015-2020). Beyond Sheffield Hallam, Gill was Deputy Director of the Education, Childhood & Youth Pathway, ESRC White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership and coordinated the Doctorate in Education Directors' National Network.

Lewis Clark is a Researcher at the Sheffield Institute of Education, specialising in quantitative research methods and evaluation. He has led and contributed to a range of research and evaluation projects for organisations including the Education Endowment Foundation and Research England. His own research focuses on career guidance in secondary education, particularly how schools support young people to navigate changing labour markets. He is currently undertaking a doctorate at the University of Derby, exploring how career practitioners engage with the concept of the future of work. Lewis is the project manager for the evaluation of RSVP.

Sara Bellan is the Policy and Research Officer for the UK Council for Graduate Education, where she uses her expertise in data analysis, research project design, and analytical writing, alongside her passion for education equitability, to support the Council’s work on championing and enhancing postgraduate education and supervision. Sara comes from an anthropological background, with academic expertise in social movements, education inequity, and systems of power. As a part of RSVP, she has led on the UK Research Supervisor Survey, aided in bolstering supervisors’ reflective practice, supported external communications, and provided research and analytical insights to the project.

Dr Rubery is Communications Officer at the UK Council for Graduate Education, where she manages and develops newsletters, press releases, blog posts and social media content. She has previously worked in marketing and communications roles at Aston University and the University of Warwick, and, before that, as an arts editor on Metro newspaper. She has a PhD in English and Comparative Literary Studies from the University of Warwick and has worked for many years as an independent scholar in the field of theatre history. She has published occasional papers for Routledge and others, along with a trade book on Lichfield’s history.

Dr Victoria Ríos Castaño is a Research Assistant involved in analytical writing, dissemination of findings and researcher development. She brings in her expertise to RSVP as an experienced lecturer, PGR supervisor and course director in several universities in the UK and overseas. She has also authored studies on colonial and contemporary Latin American literature, translation and activist writing. She is the Conference Secretary of the Association of Hispanists of Great Britain and Ireland.

Dr Connie Wan is Head of the Researcher Academy at the University of Nottingham which oversees training and development for researchers from all career stages, and those involved in the research endeavour. Connie is passionate about leadership and working with Early Career Researchers having managed the University of Nottingham’s prestigious fellowships schemes. She also has a wealth of experience working with international cohorts having managed researcher engagement programmes during her time at Universitas 21, a network of global research intensive universities.

Dr Harriet Clark is the Project Administrator at the University of Nottingham where she supports the development and delivery of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for researchers at all career stages, notably for research supervisors through RSVP and on the University of Nottingham’s Research Leadership Programmes. Harriet brings extensive PGR knowledge to the project with five years’ experience of designing and delivering wellbeing and community support to PGRs.

Dr Tian Yan is the Doctoral Supervisor Development Manager at King’s College London. Her work focuses on inclusive doctoral supervision, researcher development, and fostering supportive research cultures through evidence-informed practice. She has a particular interest in designing innovative professional development opportunities for supervisors, and strengthening communities of practice across disciplines.

Professor Wichmann-Hansen is a Professor at the University of Agder, Norway and owner of the consultancy Academic Supervision. With over 20 years of experience in higher education, her research focuses on supervision of thesis writing, dissertations, and PhD projects. As external consultant for RSVP, Dr Wichmann-Hansen has led train-the-trainer events, produced and provided professional development materials, and has offered valuable insights and expertise.

Professor Cleaver is a prominent physicist and academic leader specialising in computational materials science and postgraduate education policy, and Co-PI/Director of RSVP. He currently serves as the Director of the Doctoral School at Sheffield Hallam University, where he oversees the strategic development and support of the University's postgraduate research community. He is a recognised national leader in graduate education standards and researcher development.

Dr Julia Rayner is the Mentoring/Coaching Coordinator for the project but is also very involved in the design and delivery of supervisor development interventions. She has a background in Psychology, with a particular interest in the use of coaching approaches in supervision, and brings 12 years of experience working as both a Manager of a Graduate Research School and a researcher/supervisor developer.

Dr Hang Li is a Postdoctoral Research Associate for RSVP. Her role focuses on the analysis of RSVP focus group data, and supporting the dissemination of qualitative findings.

Dr Nicola Palmer is an experienced research supervisor and examiner across different types of doctoral awards at various UK higher education institutions (HEIs). She is a UKCGE Recognised Research Supervisor and Co-Chair of the UKCGE Research Supervisors’ Network. Her awarded Advance HE Principal Fellowship is focused on her strategic leadership contributions to Postgraduate Research. Nicola’s the senior academic lead for university-wide doctoral training at SHU and has been commissioned to facilitate supervisor development for other UK and Irish universities. Nicola leads the Pedagogy and Scholarship work package of RSVP. She has developed a research profile in doctoral education alongside her tourism development studies research.

Jamie Hallatt joined the RSVP team as Senior Administrator for the SHU team in February 2026. Jamie is committed to providing event planning support for the RSVP consortium group, and has also supported the editing and proofing process for RSVP interventions. In addition to this, he provides local operational support to both Dr Nicola Palmer and Professor Doug Cleaver.

Dr Claire Wolstenholme is a Research Fellow at the Sheffield Institute of Education, specialising in qualitative and mixed-methods research with a background in Psychology. She has delivered evaluations for organisations including the Department for Education, Education Endowment Foundation, Youth Endowment Fund, and British Council. Claire supervises MA, EdD, and PhD students, having completed her Doctorate in Education in 2022. Her recent research centres on male student mental health, particularly barriers to seeking support and the impact of peer support within university settings. She contributes to teaching and collaborative projects across higher education and policy contexts in the UK and internationally.

Dr Owen Gower is the Director of the UK Council for Graduate Education, where he leads the Council’s advocacy on a range of issues in postgraduate education and research: including supporting equity, diversity and inclusion. Owen has contributed to books on doctoral supervision, mental health in doctoral research, and developing researcher independence. He is the co-author of the UK Research Supervision Survey Report (2024 and 2021). He is a member of the Philosophy of Education Society of Great Britain, a Fellow of Goodenough College, and of the Royal Society of Arts.

Angus Burns is the Events Officer at UKCGE and has significant experience in managing the Council’s range broad of workshops, discussions, webinars and conferences. He has led the development of some of the Council’s biggest events including the UKCGE Annual Conference, international conferences on Professional & Practice Based Doctorates and Developments in Doctoral Education in Training, as well as conferences on EDI and Mental Health & Wellbeing. With his wealth of experience, Angus will be leading the development of RSVP’s international conference in 2027.

Dr Heather Sears is Head of Researcher Development at Coventry University, co-leading a team delivering an extensive programme of development from ‘PGR to Professor’. She has been immersed in helping researchers succeed for over 20 years. She developed the Coventry Supervisor Development Framework, mandating engagement with provision by career stage and experience, and led the accreditation of the core supervisor programme by the Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA). Heather was Co-Investigator on a British Council Capacity Building Project which enabled 143 Master Trainers to develop and deliver supervisor development programmes across Pakistan.

Richard Graham is Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Nottingham and has supported researcher development through the Researcher Academy since 2019. He served as Interim Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor in 2023–24 and now leads initiatives to improve research culture. He is Principal Investigator of the REC-HURDLES project, addressing career development, under-representation, and precarious employment. He also leads Nottingham’s role in RSVP. He joined Nottingham in 2007, became Professor in 2018, and studies how molecular motion influences fluid properties in simple and complex systems.

Dr Eleanor Loughlin is the Supervisory Practice Training and Development Manager at the University of Nottingham where she leads the design and delivery of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) initiatives for research supervisors. With over 20 years’ experience in higher education, she has a background in teaching, research and academic development, and working across academic, researcher and student development. Her publications focus on areas including student learning, PGR development and induction practices.

Dr Alex Pavey is Associate Director (Doctoral Environment & Development) at King’s College London, and institutional lead for the Next Generation Research SuperVision Project. He is passionate about increasing inclusivity and accessibility in doctoral education – removing barriers and improving support so that research students and supervisors can thrive within positive research cultures, and develop the skills they need to take the next step in their careers.

Dr Theadora Jean is a Doctoral Development Officer for RSVP, based at King’s College London. She serves as Theme Lead for PGR Careers & Development, acts as the EDI Champion across RSVP, and is Project Manager for the PGR Leads Project at King’s.

Dr Godskesen is an independent consultant and leading expert in PhD supervision training and coaching. She trains supervisors worldwide and is known for her innovative mentoring approaches that help doctoral candidates navigate their research with greater autonomy and confidence. She is also an External Lecturer at Aalborg University. As external consultant for RSVP, Dr Godskesen has led train-the-trainer events, produced and provided professional development materials, and has offered valuable insights and expertise.