Staff Profile:Sonia Hood

Name:

Mrs Sonia Hood

Job Title:

Study Adviser

Responsibilities:

• one-to-one advice sessions with individual students on developing more effective study practices
• teaches general and department-based workshops on various topics
• develops resources to support student practices
• maintains the Study Advice Blackboard Organisation
• liaises with departments in Henley Business School

Areas of Interest:

Sonia has a Business Management background gaining her first degree in this subject in 1995. She worked for the largest UK travel company for 10 years in a variety of management roles and completed post graduate qualifications in Marketing and Management. In 2006 Sonia gained a PGCE in Post Compulsory Education, completing her research project on applying the connectionist approach to teaching numeracy to adults in further education. During this time Sonia also taught Marketing and Numeracy at the University of West London.

In 2007 Sonia took up a position in Study Advice at the University of West London, offering academic support to students and working with academics on study skills modules. Her work focused on supporting students during the transition into higher education, especially those students who arrive at university from non-traditional backgrounds. Since her arrival at the University of Reading in 2011, transition has continued to be an area of research interest for her. She is particularly interested in identifying the various ways that students acquire and develop the skills that are crucial for study success during their first year.

During her time at the University of West London, Sonia designed and resourced their 'Study Support' Blackboard organisation including a range of online tests. She has an interest in producing interactive online study advice resources and is looking to further develop the Study advice Blackboard pages at Reading.

Research groups / Centres:

Publications: