Who to contact in the Building Research and Innovation Capacity (BRIC) Team

As Head of the BRIC team, Megan is responsible for the strategic oversight of researcher development and research culture.

She is a co-I on the Valuing Voices for Equitable and Responsible Research project, funded by the Wellcome Trust, leading on the training and communications elements of the project. 

Megan has a background in facilitation and grant writing in the cultural and Higher Education sectors.

Dominika is a researcher developer with responsibility for the design, delivery and evaluation of training interventions for postgraduate researchers. Dominika has a PhD in cancer biology and brings her own experience as a PGR and as a Postdoctoral Researcher to her enthusiastic approach to supporting academic researchers’ development.

Sarah leads the design, implementation and evaluation of strategic organisational programmes, and initiatives related to research fellow selection, learning and development. She works collaboratively with stakeholders across York to ensure a joined up approach to university fellowship provision and policy and is a member of the Fellowships Coordination Committee. 

Sarah is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an EMCC-accredited coach who is passionate about supporting the career and leadership development of researchers. She is currently developing a new programme of events within the York Fellowship Programme to address the needs of emerging research leaders as well as aspiring research fellows. 

Hazel Lawrence
Researcher Developer (ECRS)
hazel.lawrence@york.ac.uk

Hazel designs, delivers and evaluates strategic development opportunities for ECRs across the University, supporting  the achievement of the objectives of the York Graduate Research School and contribute to other University-wide projects related to researcher development.

Stewart provides operational and communications support to the BRIC team's activities and is responsible for the team's joint email and social media accounts.

Stewart serves as the first port of call for all enquiries from researchers and research support staff, and supports the Fellowship Coordination Committee and Research Culture Working Group.

Stewart holds a BSc in Biology and is passionate about Research Comms - running and supporting training in this area.

Fleur has managed a variety of research projects at the University of York for over ten years, supporting research in social policy, chemistry and telecommunications. In recent years, she has also been an active member of the growing PRISM community (Professional Research Investment Strategy Managers), which supports those in similar research project management roles and advocates for recognition from funders and institutions. Alongside the Valuing Voices project, Fleur will be the PRISMs Manager for the Faculty of Sciences from June 2024.

Roisin Blackburn is the Project Officer for the Valuing Voices project, with particular responsibility for communications and administration within the project. Roisin joined the University of York in 2023 working as Alcuin College Life Coordinator while finalising her Master of Research (MRes) Psychology degree. Roisin has previously worked in alumni events at the University of Leeds, and as Research Assistant, Administrator and Student Volunteers Coordinator in the Converge Evaluation and Research Team (CERT) at York St. John, working with a group of individuals with lived experience of mental ill health to utilise co-productive techniques to conduct bespoke research and evaluations of mental health services and community projects.

Dr Zaynab Seedat is the Training and Resource Development Officer for the Valuing Voices project. Zaynab joined the University of York in 2018 as a PhD student, graduating in 2023 from the Department of English and Related Literature. Her research investigated Islamic terrorism within contemporary literature using an interdisciplinary postcolonial approach. During her time at the University, Zaynab worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, researcher developer for the White Rose College of Arts and Humanities, and project coordinator for York Graduate Research School, through which she has developed her knowledge of and interest in research culture and practises. 

Raj Mann
YCEDE Project Manager
raj.mann@york.ac.uk

Jack Harris
YCEDE Project Assistant
jack.harris@york.ac.uk