How long have you been at ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ and how did you come to join the European Institute?
I joined ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ over 11 years ago - it’s hard to believe it has been that long! I spent the first 5 years in the Student Services Centre before moving to the Department of Social Policy. When my current role became available in 2017, I jumped at the opportunity. The Deputy position was new in the department, and I was excited for the challenge to develop the role alongside our Department Manager, Carl-Ludwig Campbell.
How has the European Institute changed during your time here?
Since joining the department, we have seen the addition of new MSc programmes, such as our double degrees with Fudan and Bocconi. It has been gratifying to see those partnerships taking shape. We also moved from our former home base in Cowdray House, to the shiny new Centre Building. However, in many ways, the European Institute hasn’t changed at all. It continues to be an incredibly friendly place to work and study.
What has been the most memorable moment during your time at the EI?
For me, it was the day that the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ management team announced that staff would need to work from home for the foreseeable future due to the COVID-19 lockdown. It was an utterly surreal day. Many of us were already working from home at this point, but I decided to take the opportunity to return to campus while our building was still accessible to pick up some of my belongings.
I had a hunch it could be a long time before we would be able to return so I took the time to clean out both of our departmental refrigerators, just in case. I didn’t realize that Professor Iain Begg was still in the building, and accidentally threw away his lunch! (Sorry, Iain!)
As I left the office, I looked around and wondered how long it would be before we would be back together in person again, never dreaming what was to come. What struck me as the second most memorable moment of my time in the EI, was the next day…when our team all logged in for our first of many online meetings. I remember feeling that there was no better bunch of people to (virtually) work with when weathering the uncertainty to come. I was certainly right.
What makes the EI a special place?
The people! The diverse backgrounds of our academic staff and the interesting research going on in the department makes it a deeply interesting place to work. I also love how our academic colleagues warmly welcome our students into the department as young scholars.
What excites you about the future of the EI?
There is a drive in the EI to always strive to improve year-on-year in terms of what we do and how we do it. As we celebrate our anniversary, it’s exciting to look back and how things have transformed over time. Rather than resting on our laurels, so to speak, I love how the European Institute is always thinking ahead about ways that we can make the next academic cycle even better for students and staff.
What’s your favourite place on ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ campus?
In the past, I would have said the Staff Dining Room and Staff Common Rooms in the Old Building. I head there on my lunchbreaks for a quiet moment and to read the newspaper. However, these days I have really grown to love the Centre Building’s 6th floor terrace. The views are great, and I love watching the bees bumble about in the wildflower beds.
What is your favourite place to visit in Europe and why?
Lyon is my top pick – not only because of its beauty, but also because that is where my husband proposed to me.