Contact Us
For Postgraduate Researchers
Tel: +44 (0) 161 306 4188
Email: eps-grads@manchester.ac.uk
For Research Staff
Tel: +44 (0) 161 306 4188
Email: eps-researchstaff@manchester.ac.uk
Find us in: Sackville St Building, room C4
Meet the team
Dr Jim Boran, Manager, EPS Graduate and Researcher Development
Email: jim.boran@manchester.ac.uk
Telephone Number: (+44) 161 306-4156
Location: Sackville Street Building C4
Jim’s role is to manage the activities of the Graduate and Researcher Development team. He began work in skills training in 1999, as a Graduate Skills Tutor and Course Organiser for the Graduate Personal Development Programme at UMIST, running and organising skills workshops. In 2004, with the formation of the new University of Manchester, Jim took on a similar role in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences. He delivers training workshops on a wide range of topics, including effective presentations and publishing academic papers. He is especially interested in understanding differences between different disciplines’ approach to fundamental research methodology. Jim’s original training was in America as a behavioural biologist studying whales and dolphins. He began this work in 1976, joining a long-term research project on killer whales off Seattle, Washington, gaining a BA in 1979 and an MSc in 1987. He came to England in 1988 to do his PhD in Zoology at the University of Cambridge (1992 Thesis: Social Organization of Pilot Whales in the Canary Islands). He stayed in England working on a UK Government-funded research project documenting the distribution of whales and dolphins around the British coasts. In 1999, he undertook a career change and began working in his current role sharing experience from his research career.
Dr Gemma Muckle, Researcher Development Officer, EPS Graduate and Researcher Development
Email: lynn.clark@manchester.ac.uk
Telephone Number: (+44) 161 306-4169
Location: Sackville Street Building C4
Gemma’s main role is to develop and deliver a range of training and development opportunities for Research Staff within the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences. This includes engaging with researchers and other staff to determine local needs, and devising new models to further the personal and professional development of Research Staff. Gemma also acts as a trainer and facilitator for PhD skills courses, both locally and regionally. Gemma’s PhD was in Ecology at the University of Sheffield, where she also completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education. She has previously worked in a range of educational and developmental contexts, including Playwork, Environmental Education, long-distance and face-to-face Undergraduate tuition, Youth Work and adult training in the voluntary sector. She has designed and led groups of participants aged 4 to 84, from introductory to specialist and open levels, including continuing professional development for her current peers. Gemma is also an accredited Co-Active Coach.
Dee-Ann Johnson, Communications Officer, EPS Graduate and Researcher Development
Email: dee-ann.johnson@manchester.ac.uk
Telephone Number: (+44) 161 306-4155
Location: Sackville Street Building C4
Dee-Ann is responsible for delivering professional development training and coaching to early career researchers across a range of transferable skills. She leads on support activities for researchers involved in public engagement and research impact and co-ordinates university-wide science communication initiatives, opportunities and strategy.
Dee-Ann sits on the organising committees for the Manchester Science Festival and is working with the Museum of Science and Industry to deliver Famelab for the Manchester heats. She is also co-developer of Vitae’s Engaging Researcher public engagement resources.
Dee-Ann has faciliatated on local and national GRADSchools, as well as Vitae’s Leadership in Action, Broadening Horizons and Effective Researcher programmes, and is a tutor on the University's ILM accredited Researcher's into Management course.
Following a career as a technical author, usability specialist, and communications project manager in Australia she moved to the UK to pursue a career in researcher and professional development.
She is currently undertaking an accredited ILM Executive Coaching course.
Dr Alex Hinchliffe, Researcher Development Assistant, EPS Graduate and Researcher Development
Email: Alexander.Hinchliffe@manchester.ac.uk
Telephone Number: (+44) 161 306-4188
Location: Sackville Street Building C4
Alex’s role is to undertake various administrative duties for the Graduate and Researcher Development team, supporting the work of providing personal and professional development opportunities to postgraduate researchers and research staff. Prior to taking this role Alex was somewhat of a 'professional' student. He gained his undergraduate degree in American Studies: Art and Film at the University of Kent, Canterbury before his interest in American cinema led him to Nottingham University where he graduated with a Masters degree in Film Studies in 2004. He was lured away from a brief stint of employment in 2005 to begin a Film Studies PhD in Nottingham which he completed with a successful viva in November 2009.
Alys Kay, Online Development Officer, EPS Graduate and Researcher Development
Email: alys.kay@manchester.ac.uk
Telephone Number: (+44) 161 306-4052
Location: Sackville Street Building C4
Alys’ main role is to maintain and develop online resources for the Graduate and Researcher Development team to provide personal and professional development opportunities for postgraduates and research staff. Alys' role encompasses the design and development of web sites, videos, podcasts and bespoke learning resources. Alys completed an MSc in Interactive Multimedia at the University of Westminster. Since then she has worked in multimedia design and development for a number of different organisations, including the NHS, management consultancies and educational software companies.