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Rebecca/Richard Harris, Associate Professor

I remember when I was about 10 I discovered there were places called universities and I automatically assumed that was where the ‘clever kids’ went, so that wasn’t an option for me! Having been the first member of my family to get any academic qualifications I am still pleasantly surprised that I now able to work at a university.

I joined the Institute of Education (based on the original and beautiful university campus on London Road) at Reading in 2011, having previously worked at the University of Southampton for 10 years, and prior to that I spent 16 years teaching history in secondary schools.

Whilst at Reading I have developed in so many different ways. At a professional level when I arrived I was in charge of the secondary history teacher training course, but was soon asked to take responsibility for the MA in Teaching and Learning, and shortly after that I became programme director for the MA in Education programme. More recently I have become School Director of Teaching and Learning (SDTL) – this is a very varied role, but the main focus is on ensuring all of our students have a really positive academic experience with us. I am involved in leading initiatives within the Institute of Education to enhance the quality of our teaching and learning provision, monitoring the quality of our programmes, as well as supporting the implementation of university wide projects. As SDTL I also sit on the senior management group for the Institute of Education and line manage a number of staff. My role therefore involves working with lots of colleagues within Education and across the university. I have been able to pursue my research interests and have been involved with many interesting national and international projects, most notably the Council of Europe’s ‘Pestalozzi’ teacher training programme.

On a personal level I joined Reading at a point where I was coming out as transgendered. My colleagues have been tremendously supportive and I work in an environment where I am accepted and respected for who I am. My colleagues are very used to me presenting whichever way I feel comfortable.

Working at Reading is very much about people – the staff are truly committed to their students and the university is committed to developing and supporting both staff and students.

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Calvin Smith, Lecturer

I joined the University in 2008 in a teaching intensive role in mathematics. Since this time I have held a number of roles in teaching and learning including Admissions Tutor, School Senior Tutor, Internal Examiner and Programme Director.These days I am most frequently found sharing my love of mathematics with students in lecture theatres and seminar rooms across the campus.

When not up to my elbows in sums I am involved in various projects to make the experience of studying and working at Reading as inclusive as it can be. As a visible “out” gay man I endeavour to provide an authentic voice for inclusion and diversity for my colleagues and our students.

Reading prides itself on being a research intensive university and rightly so but this certainly does not mean it does not value teaching or its teaching intensive staff. I have been able to benefit from extensive development opportunities at Reading, led by our wonderful CQSD team, which has enabled me to contribute to enhancing teaching and learning in my School, as well as more broadly across the University and externally.

One of the things I value most about Reading is the ability to work with and learn from a diverse range of individuals (both staff and students)! I’m regularly able to escape my School bubble to collaborate with colleagues in Study Advice, Counselling & Wellbeing and the Disability Advisory Service. I value this enormously and have learned so much as a result.

I am proud to be involved in various diversity and inclusion initiatives at Reading including participating in University and School level Athena SWAN submissions. I’ve also been involved in supporting the University’s continued commitment to LGBT+ inclusion having previously co-chaired the LGBT Plus staff network and contributed to the University’s ongoing submissions to the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index. It’s fantastic to be able to work at an institution which values inclusion for all and to be able to actively contribute to this! I’m extremely proud to have been part of taking the University to Pride for the first time, starting the annual Wolfenden lecture series (named for the former Reading VC who authored the report which paved the way for partial decriminalisation of homosexuality) and generally queering the campus through the production of rainbow lanyards and postcards.

In 2014 I became a father to two amazing little scamps through adoption. The University has been fantastically supportive throughout this. When I first told my Head of Department that we were planning an adoption the response was overwhelmingly supportive – and included lots of conversations about leave, and how my workload could be adjusted to enable me to retain some responsibilities while lightening my load in other areas. Our adoption was also celebrated in the same way as other new family arrivals in the Department.

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Deb Heighes, Head of Academic Development and Enhancement

I joined the University in 2006 after more than 20 years teaching science in secondary schools. I started in the Institute of Education (IOE) and moved through a variety of roles from science teacher educator to programme director, before joining the Centre for Quality Support and Development (CQSD) in 2015.

I now manage the ADE team within CQSD that has responsibility for the professional development of colleagues who are involved in teaching and supporting learning, supporting curriculum development and design, and enhancement of teaching and learning.

My role is people-focused and often involves influencing others to ensure we deliver an excellent teaching and learning experience for the students - so it's very rewarding.

The campus is a fascinating place to work. Working alongside such diverse, interesting and engaging people, in a role where no two days are ever the same, means I am never bored. There is always something to learn.

I'm co-chair of the LGBT Plus Staff Network and am Stonewall-trained as a visible lesbian role model - a position that means a lot to me personally. Having experienced unfriendly workplaces and witnessed homophobic bullying, I feel lucky to be in a position where I can effect change. Being a role model allows me to be myself and relax at work, and means other people are more relaxed around me - I think it makes sexuality, and other protected characteristics, part of our "normality."

It's vital that people are given a "safe space" in which to be themselves. This is why the LGBT+ Allies training that we do is fundamental to transforming the University environment further - it's not about an individual "fitting in", it's about the institution adapting. If everyone supports the cause and works towards acceptance, we'll get there.

Making changes to the culture of a place isn't necessarily difficult. It's about treating people with respect.

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Raul Marchena Madagan standing in the grounds of the University of Reading

Raul Marchena Magadan, Teaching Fellow

I'm a Teaching Fellow in Spanish language. Two years ago I was hired to participate in the introduction of Spanish language in the Department and help to set up the new BA Spanish programme.

I am originally from Havana, Cuba. I received a Chevening scholarship to study at the University of Manchester. After graduating I worked at Manchester for several years, and then the position became available at Reading.

It's an amazing job. You don't often get the opportunity to start something from scratch. It's a one-off experience. The environment is great – it's personal; you feel like a person rather than a number. And the campus, I love the trees! I'm in love with the campus.

I actually commute from Manchester at the weekend. I work hard to maintain my work life balance, but I'm enjoying my job so much that it is absolutely worth it. When I wake up in the morning I look forward to work. I feel really excited all the time about the things I'm doing. I'm very busy but not stressed, so that's a good sign.

It's a place that offers you a lot of opportunities. I will do my PhD here next year and the University has been very supportive of this. There are never any obstacles to professional development; they always help you to find a way to make things work.

I thought I might just stay for a few years, but now I think I could stay here until I retire!

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Caroline Treeves and Claudia Ricci in the library

caroline Treeves and Claudia Ricci, Collection Management and Liaison Support Librarian

Caroline says: I first got the role in August 2015, just before I went on maternity leave. I loved the job and wanted to do all of it, but just for a few days a week; so we went down the route of a job share. It was all very amenable.

Claudia had worked in the Cataloguing department before. I already knew her and was very pleased when she got the role.

We have different strengths and preferences, so we share the workload towards our strengths. I'm more experienced in collection management, which I really enjoy, whereas Claudia is more experienced in cataloguing than me, so that's helpful.

We were a 60/40 split, but we are changing to 50/50 now the job share is becoming permanent. It was nice to have that trial year to see how everything worked.

Claudia says: We both know about each other's childcare arrangements, so we came up with an idea that should fit the needs of both of us. My children are slightly older, five and 10, both at primary school, so it suited me to get more hours a week.

Training also takes place on Fridays. I'm always quite keen to attend some of the training sessions for self-development and the job share set-up is configured so I have the opportunity. It will be easier for me to have a more active role in the team.

There were a lot of new things for me to learn, but I have managed to become more familiar with the role and I'm happy with the arrangement, it works well.

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Chukwumerije Okereke in the University grounds

Chukwumerije Okereke, Professor of Environment and Development

As a senior academic in the School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science, I offer academic leadership within the department but also, more broadly, within the Global Development Research Division to which I belong.

I grew up in a very rural, poor village in the South Eastern part of Nigeria. My mother and father were both teachers and they instilled in me a passion for learning. It wasn't the best of beginnings, but my parents taught me the value of academic education and hard work.

The other thing I got from my dad was a passion for fairness and justice and I have brought this to my research. One of my core motivations is really how we solve big global challenges, such as climate change, in a way that doesn't exacerbate global poverty.

My main research area is the global governance of climate change. I came to Reading from the University of Oxford where I was Head of the Centre for Climate and Development. I joined Reading in 2011 as Reader in Environment and Development and was recently promoted to the position of Professor.

Reading has a strong reputation as a global centre for research on the environment, especially climate change. I also find it a very supportive environment. Another reason I like Reading is the fact that diversity is seriously promoted by the University management. At Reading you can expect to get support for your ambition and reward for your accomplishments.

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Subjects A-B

Subjects C-E

Subjects F-G

Subjects H-M

Subjects N-T

Subjects U-Z

Subjects A-C

Subjects D-G

Subjects H-P

Subjects Q-Z

Rebecca/Richard Harris, Associate Professor

Calvin Smith, Lecturer

Deb Heighes, Head of Academic Development and Enhancement

Raul Marchena Magadan, Teaching Fellow

caroline Treeves and Claudia Ricci, Collection Management and Liaison Support Librarian

Chukwumerije Okereke, Professor of Environment and Development

Rebecca/Richard Harris, Associate Professor

Calvin Smith, Lecturer

Deb Heighes, Head of Academic Development and Enhancement

Raul Marchena Magadan, Teaching Fellow

caroline Treeves and Claudia Ricci, Collection Management and Liaison Support Librarian

Chukwumerije Okereke, Professor of Environment and Development

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