What drew you to UCL when you joined back in 2022?
Looking back, there were three reasons. Firstly, it’s UCL - a global top 10 university. Secondly, while I’ve really enjoyed working in universities in other parts of the country, I regard London as my home city. Who wouldn’t want to work in Bloomsbury and UCL East?Thirdly, I’d been doing a very similar role in another big Russell Group university and I delivered a strategy there. Coming to UCL was an opportunity to start again with a new strategy, in a very different university that required completely different approaches. That was a good challenge, which I found appealing and stimulating. I also knew UCL needed to work on putting a stronger emphasis on education, students, student voice and the student experience, and I felt I had something to offer there.
What areas of progress are you proud of?
I led the development of the education element of UCL’s Strategic Plan 2022-27 and much of what we set out to do is now broadly in place.To pick out highlights, I loved the UCL-wide conversation we had to develop our Statement of Education Excellence. I felt people engaged and I found it fascinating from beginning to end. The aim was to develop a consensus statement on what the UCL community feels they already do well and shared ambitions for enhancements in the future. We’re now using that statement as a reference point for everything we do.
Secondly, we brought together UCL Careers and Arena into the new Higher Education Development & Support (HEDS) Institute. This is a good development ensuring that student outcomes are at the heart of the professional and pedagogical development work we do with staff.
Through our ongoing Programme Excellence Project , we’re focusing on refreshing the very thing that students apply for - their course - whereas previously we might have focused more on refreshing individual modules. We want to ensure that UCL degree programmes remain attractive to future students.
I’m also really keen on our Extended Learning Opportunities programme, which aims to offer all’our students interesting learning opportunities across the academic year, including term three.
I feel I’m very lucky to be working with a talented Senior Education Team , some very impressive Faculty education teams and, more broadly, with amazing staff across UCL who are passionate about education. Some of them are on education contracts which means they are focusing their careers on education and the student experience. It’s been an important ambition of mine to raise their status and profile in the institution.
What developments might you like to see in higher education in the future?
I’ve had a long career in education and higher education, and I would say we are probably in one of the more challenging periods for the sector. When I look ahead, it seems to me that we’re going to face increasing financial pressures for the foreseeable future, which will likely mean we’re forced to do things differently.It’s possible, on the other hand, that AI will help us by making some new responsive services available to students and staff. This could lead to some workload improvements and reductions in pressure for all parties.
My big hope is that universities will be in the vanguard of AI innovation in education, and that means all staff will have to engage. My view is that currently, students are leading the way and we will need to support staff so they can step up to support their students. I don’t see AI as a panacea, and I’m as concerned as anyone else about some aspects of it, but the AI Genie is well and truly out of the bottle, so I think we have to find ways to make it work for us. We’re a leading research-intensive university - let’s be at the forefront of this.
What are some of your favourite memories from your time at UCL?
Graduation ceremonies for sure, especially in the Royal Festival Hall. They are the most uplifting events. I get to wear a fancy robe and I have the privilege of shaking hands with the new graduates as they cross the stage, which is fabulous. Those smiles are incredible. As we all process out, we also see the pride and joy on the faces of the families and supporters who are in the audience.I love the annual Education Awards , where we celebrate some of the excellent work that goes on across UCL, both in teaching and supporting students to learn. UCL certainly knows how to celebrate well.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the robust discussions we have in Education Committee and in the weekly University Management Committee meetings too. Of course, we don’t all’agree in those settings but, on the whole, I’d say we are able to live our values and disagree well.
Finally, all my interactions with UCL students. We have a great student body and the students I’ve met here are phenomenal.
What piece of advice would you give a student just starting their time here?
I’d say get involved in everything possible. People often say that, but it doesn’t mean it’s not true. UCL is a big, diverse community that offers incredibly rich learning experiences and opportunities, so engage as much as possible.If something isn’t working for you as a student, I’d take the opportunity to work with your department, society or Students’ Union to learn the most effective ways to make things better. If nothing else, I’d say that’s a great life skill.
In February, when announcing Kathy’s plan to retire , Dr Michael Spence, UCL’s President & Provost, said: "I am incredibly grateful to Kathy for the immense work she has done to set a clear agenda for our education work, for her championing of students and for her comprehensive work to lay the foundations for the Programme Excellence Project. She has always brought to the role a passion for giving students the kind of experience that they have a right to expect from UCL and for ensuring their voice is properly represented and heard. She will leave hard shoes to fill but also a well-developed, ambitious programme for her successor to progress and deliver."
Shaban Chaudhury, Education Officer at Students’ Union UCL, said: "As we bid farewell to Kathy, I want to honour her remarkable legacy and unwavering dedication to the students of UCL. Her commitment to building an outstanding student experience - in close partnership with the Students’ Union - has left a lasting and positive impact on our community. On behalf of the students of UCL and the Students’ Union, thank you for your years of service. We wish you all the happiness, relaxation and adventure that retirement brings."
You can also view updates for staff and students for an overview of recent progress around UCL-wide education and student experience initiatives.
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