From data-driven student projects to record-breaking Christmas crackers, Tracey Phillipson, Student Projects Development Coordinator at UCL School of Management, shares her journey and how the ’Transform: Creating Impact Through Knowledge Exchange’ programme is shaping her work.
What is your role and what does it involve?
As the Student Projects Development Coordinator at UCL School of Management, I am currently working to develop and enhance student projects. My focus is creating external partnerships, with organisations such as BatFast, Burberry, and UKIE, and scoping data-centric projects for our MSc Business Analytics students. If you have such contacts, please let me know! With a background in tech-for-good, I am particularly interested in expanding our partnerships in these areas and supporting projects which will impact the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
I’m also a Mental Health First Aider.
How long have you been at UCL and what was your previous role?
I joined the team in August 2021 and have really enjoyed developing some great partnerships with a range of external organisations and colleagues across UCL. Within UCL joining the Partnership Development Community of Practice has been a real highlight, helping me to learn from inspirational colleagues, share best practice and just getting to know some amazing people!
Previously I worked as a Strategic Engagement Manager at BeCollective, supporting Volunteer Centres make the best use of a Volunteer Management platform.
What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?
My proudest working achievement was developing really impactful relationships with some fantastic cultural partners when working at a London secondary school. In particular, I was pleased to broker and deliver a wide range of free opportunities for our students around the performing arts. Each year 280 students headed to Shakespeare’s Globe to see what was, for many, their first performance. Working with the Donmar Theatre, our students were supported by young directors as they created their own response to plays and then performed on stage at this wonderful venue. Projects with the Royal Ballet and the Royal Opera saw some students develop their skills through dance workshops.
Tell us about a project you are working on now which is top of your to-do list
Having recently attended the ’ Transform: Creating impact through knowledge exchange programme’ , including a session on ’Working with local authorities, local partners and UCL’s London Office’, I am already speaking with the London team around how I can extend the School’s work with these partners.
Previously, one of our MSc Business Analytics students worked with Barnet Council to investigate crime patterns in order to identify hotspots within Barnet and understand the possible underlying causes to explain why criminal activity is concentrated in specific areas. I am really keen to link up with more local authorities, providing them with the opportunity to test ideas and students with the chance to address real-world issues through their dissertations. The work of the UCL London Office means that Local Authorities have an amazingly supportive team who can help them work well with UCL. And for UCL staff, we have a great route to creating impactful partnerships.
The ’ Transform’ events have been really inspiring - last year I joined a session around ’Storytelling for Impact’ which really helped me improve engagement with our students and project partners and led to me developing a meaningful impact report which I now use to promote our projects.
What is your favourite album, film and novel?
My favourite album is Nina Simone’s ’Here Comes the Sun’. I just adore the film ’In the Mood for Love’ (Wong Kar-Wei). It’s too tricky to pick a favourite novel, I’m always excited by whatever book I am currently reading. My non-fiction favourite though is ’Chroma’ by Derek Jarman.
Who would be your dream dinner guests?
Family, especially my amazing daughters. I’ve also been really lucky to find some very lovely friends, mostly at work, some I’ve known for 30 years, others are more recent but all’are just so warm, kind and fun.
What is your favourite joke (pre-watershed)?
My wonderful colleague Sinéad shares some brilliant jokes with her nieces - and me! A recent favourite is: Why can’t you hear a pterodactyl going to the bathroom? The pee is silent!
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t worry about change - it’s pretty much constant!
What would it surprise people to know about you?
I took part in a Guinness World Record attempt for pulling the most Christmas crackers in one single pull at the Museum of London.
What is your favourite place?
The City of London - all’of it! I love walking around the City and seeing the contrast between the old and new on every corner. But if I were to pick one spot it would be St Dunstan in the East Church garden.
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