In this role, I acted as the main advisor for business continuity and risk management within Powys County Council and oversaw the Council’s business continuity and risk management programme. I ensured that the Council had robust processes in place to manage its business continuity and risk. I worked with Senior Officers to ensure that actions were in place, and were reviewed as appropriate. I developed a risk appetite framework, commercial risk strategy, and implemented an electronic risk management system. I also acted as the Council’s link with local and national groups and conducted specific project based work. Furthermore, I led the corporate anti-poverty strategy this included undertaking social (qualitative and quantitative research), writing policy, reporting to Council and ensuring that statutory duties were met.

In October 2016 I was appointed to a new position of Anti-Poverty Corporate Project Support Assistant for Powys County Council. I was responsible for co-ordinating the anti-poverty work of the local authority, liaising with elected members, officers, and third party stakeholders. Much of this role was research based, conducting qualitative and quantitative research, whilst ensuring that I stayed abreast of latest policy developments. As part of this role I gave updates on the anti-poverty work of the Authority, to the Cabinet of the Council and the Senior Management Team, normally in the form of a presentation followed by unscripted question and answer sessions. I led the Powys Anti-Poverty Social Research Group, and sat on the North and Mid Wales Reaching Wider Partnership, and the Mid and South Wales Financial Capability Forum.Furthermore I provided project assistance to the Strategic Director of Resources, and assisted the Business Continuity and Risk Management Officer.

I have recently completed my doctoral research in human geography at Aberystwyth University and my research examines the role of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show in contemporary Wales. Further information can be found on the project website (www.showingagriculture.co.uk).Using the case study of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, my doctoral thesis establishes how the changing structures of agricultural shows represent wider changes in the countryside. The agricultural show is also examined as “a performance of the rural” and the perceived ‘authenticity’ of the agricultural show will is examined. My research also investigates the transformative effect that agricultural shows have upon rural communities and their role in knowledge transfer. It is thought that the coming-together of key rural figures at agricultural shows; the informal discussions and meetings that occur; first-hand inspection and questioning of exhibits and discussion on the latest developments in the industry all lead to the building of trust between farmers and policymakers. This leads to the sharing of knowledge and therefore encourages welcome innovation in the industry. This study hopes to clarify the actual impact of such shows.Public dissemination of research (beyond the academy) is a passion of mine, and my research has featured on BBC Radio, ITV News, and in various print publications.Alongside my PhD research I teach/have taught on a number of modules within the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, namely;- GG11910 - Level One Geography Tutorial;- GG25110 - Qualitative Research Methods;- GG20130 - Research Skills in Geography;- GG25010 - Research Skills in Human Geography;- GG29110 - The Welsh Environment.

Between November 2016 and July 20178 I was employed on a contract basis as a Visiting Lecturer at the University Centre Shrewsbury (University of Chester). I taught across the single honours geography course, on a number of human geography modules, specifically:- GE4002 - Introduction to Human Geography;- GE4007 - Introduction to Sustainable Development;- GE5002 - Exploring Human Geography;- GE5006 - Tutorials.In this position, I was responsible for the design and delivery of lectures, small group workshops, seminar sessions, and individual tutorials. In addition marking and assessment of coursework was undertaken. This allowed to further develop my teaching skills gained alongside my PhD research at Aberystwyth University.In this position I gained more experience of both research-led, and more theoretical based teaching. Delivering the tutorial module further enhanced my pastoral care ability, something which I take very seriously.