Biographies

Experience

I began my career in education as a law lecturer in a further education college.  I progressed onto being the head of the business studies department. Subsequently, I became a director of curriculum and over many years was responsible for most departments in the college.  I taught leadership and management up to Foundation Degree level. As part of my senior management role I was responsible for the higher education provision in the college and its expansion. Latterly I had responsibility for the Advice and Guidance section in the college including advice on careers and higher education.  Thus, I was in the unique situation of managing the college HE provision and giving advice to students on applying to HE. I am now semi-retired but still give UCAS advice every autumn. Over the past three years I have been able to carry out very detailed research at the college, analysing which students in which department and form which socio-economic background progress to do not progress into higher education. I have been able to make comparisons with students at other colleges and thus with colleagues produce a number of articles and papers on aspects of widening participation. With colleagues I have also carried out research into aspects of leadership and management.

Experience

I began my career as a lecturer in modern economic and social history, before taking on the role of co-ordinating a regional outreach programme, and then becoming Project Manager for Aimhigher East Midlands.  As project manager I developed and oversaw two large multi-institutional research projects aimed at addressing the challenges to educational progression faced by those from backgrounds under-represented in higher education.  I was subsequently appointed Manager for Aimhigher in the East Midlands, where I was responsible for income generation and overseeing a range of widening participation initiatives, including a regional research and evaluation service.  More recently, I held the post of manager for a university student outreach and recruitment team, leading on research, data analysis and monitoring and evaluation, and overseeing the scoping and development of a number of new projects.

In addition to these roles, I have been a university tutor in postgraduate research methods, and a leadership and management coach supporting the professional development of a number of educational practitioners.

Experience

Robin has spent over 15 years working in education with vulnerable groups supporting them to progress to next levels of study.  He has engaged in a wide range of work in social mobility and widening participation including leading institutional projects and activities, chairing regional project groups and leading national research in post 16 widening participation and social mobility activity.  Currently he is Vice Principal for HE and Academic Studies at the Sheffield College and he is a local councillor.  Currently he is completing a PhD in educational leadership, and he holds a Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.  He has published his research in a range of books and journals.  He is a trustee of two education charities and sits on a QAA Committee.  In his spare time he enjoys running, going on holiday, visiting the zoo and museums, and, most importantly, spending time with his family.