Dr Naomi Irvine

Experience

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  University of Cambridge

  Jul 2006 - Mar 2008

  Research Associate

  Principal accountabilities included:• leading a team of researchers to develop a toolkit of educational research methods for use by non-specialists in the UK and the US• managing a UK Research Council funded interdisciplinary research project on ‘troublesome knowledge’ and technology-enhanced learning, involving junior and senior academics in eight university departments• facilitating the professional development of University of Cambridge teaching staff• initiating a programme of project outreach activity with Higher Education Subject Centres • conducting interviews and focus groups with students and staff• co-authoring papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals Show less

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  Nottingham Trent University

  Aug 2008 - Jul 2009

  Business Development Officer

  Principal accountabilities included:• generating new business relationships for Nottingham Business School• managing client relationships from initial enquiry and scoping through to the contracting and invoicing stage• conducting competitor and market research on new management development initiatives• advising on the development of tailored executive education and consultancy interventions• designing a programme of professional development to engage academics in commercial activities Show less

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  University of Leicester

  Mar 2016 - Oct 2017

  I led the development and delivery of internal culture change initiatives and external accreditation activities to support the personal, professional and career development of the 450 research staff within the University of Leicester. Acting as a key advisor to senior leadership, academic and professional services departments, my principal accountabilities included:• peer review of national 'HR Excellence in Research' and Athena SWAN (gender equality) submissions (sector-wide quality assurance charters)• co-ordinating the internal review and authoring the submission of the University of Leicester’s ‘HR Excellence in Research’ award in 2013 and 2017, resulting in revalidation of the award • consultation, data collection, training and coaching to support both institutional and departmental Athena SWAN (gender equality and inclusion) activities, particularly around structural barriers to career enhancement• coaching delegates on the Future Leaders Programme (academic and professional services staff at senior lecturer or equivalent)• nomination to act as a role model on the flagship 'Aurora' women's leadership development programme at the Birmingham cohort in 2016• developing, maintaining and evaluating a programme of careers support and professional development for research staff• providing targeted briefings and bespoke support to departments and senior leaders, based on internal survey data and relevant HE sector developments• needs analysis, design and delivery of bespoke training• a merit award in 2014 for innovative contributions to professional activities and strategic initiatives• contributing to the review and redevelopment of research training for postgraduate research students Show less I achieved a secondment at a higher grade to the Organisational Development Team during a period of growth and change, and led the following areas of activity:• liaising with internal stakeholders to develop the University's contribution to the flagship United Nations 'HeForShe' initiative• a strategic review of Athena SWAN, making institutional recommendations to the Gender Equality Executive Group for embedding and integrating gender equality work into business as usual• bespoke training to the Gender Equality Working Group on developing business cases for targeted equality and diversity interventions• a consultation with the Staff Equalities Forums (Women's, BAME, Disability, LGBT+) making institutional recommendations for specialist equality and diversity, budgetary and administrative support• evaluation of of 26 delegates' experiences of the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education 'Aurora' women's leadership programme• coordination of the recruitment of three Daphne Jackson fellows (retraining fellowships for researchers returning to higher education following a career break)• with the Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Equality and Diversity), I presented a workshop at the Vitae International Researcher Development Conference in 2016 on equality and diversity charter activities as continuous improvement Show less

  • Research Staff Development Advisor

    Sept 2009 - Oct 2017

  • Equalities Project Manager

    Mar 2016 - Jul 2016
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  Dr Naomi Unlimited

  Nov 2017 - now

  Director

  Dr Naomi Unlimited specialises in helping leaders improve their relationships and results in complex organisations, through Fierce Conversations, gender empowerment, personal effectiveness, leadership development, and coaching and mentoring.My services support organisations to maximise retention of valued staff members, attract a diverse workforce, build resilience and creativity, and promote the advancement of under-represented groups. Major assignments include:• ‘Fierce Conversations’ intervention to support organisational change at Manchester Metropolitan University, for Heads of Department, Learning and Development, Organisational Development and HR Business Partners• ‘Fierce Conversations’ intervention to support culture change at the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance, for 1st and 2nd line managers and the Executive Team• Delivery of mandatory equalities training (active bystander and EDI for managers) to 600 delegates at the University of Lincoln• Bespoke away days for third sector clients (from non-managerial up to executive level)• Leadership development for emergent leaders in the HE sector• Knowledge transfer collaboration with the University of Nottingham Business School to understand theprofessional experiences of women in STEMM Show less