Laneway Learning is a registered not-for-profit that has been running affordable, informal night classes on ‘anything and everything’ in Melbourne and around Australia since 2012.I have held many different roles within the organisation (see more details below). As a co-founding member, I offer guidance and assistance on all matters to the board of directors and management team. In 2018, Laneway Learning won the Melbourne Award for "Contribution to Community by a Community Organisation". This prestigious award recognises the achievements of the organisation's commitment to lifelong learning by bringing people together from all walks of life to share their passions and learn something new.Setting up and developing this organisation has given me a wide range of useful transferable skills in an increasing number of areas including: • Community development and management - working with teachers and staff to provide training and advice, help solve problems and streamline processes.• Continuous small- and large-scale event organisation and logistics.• Contribution to strategy, long-term planning and business improvement, based on customer needs and available resources.• Considerable experience in marketing, social media and PR.As an entrepreneur of a small start-up I quickly became accustomed to picking up new skills and having to learn fast to ensure that important tasks get done.

Supporting strategic work under the Goulburn Murray Regional Prosperity Plan as a Jawun secondee supported by the University of MelbourneProsperity plan: https://www.kaielainstitute.org.au/uploads/7/9/1/0/7910149/gmrpp_booklet_v24_final_sml_res.pdfJawun: https://www.jawun.org.au/

When Laneway Learning adopted a new not-for-profit structure my role was to:• Set up and establish the new board of directors.• Support the management staff in implementing its work effectively.• Help the organisation achieve its long-term goals. In this role I also gained experience and expertise in risk management, communications, governance, partnerships, community engagement and strategic direction.

As the General Manager for Laneway Learning, my main responsibility was the coordination and promotion of classes. I was also responsible for product development, business strategy, growth and community engagement. Specific roles and achievements included:• Business growth: almost doubling the amount classes from just over 250 in 2014 to approaching 500 classes in 2015.• Class management: including the coordination of up to 20 classes per week and occasional larger events.• Teacher development: working with people from the local community (frequently people new to teaching) to make their classes interactive and engaging. • Community engagement: managing relationships with stakeholders (venues, teachers, partners) and customers.• Systems advancement: including the streamlining, upgrading and documentation of our processes.• Promotion and marketing of classes, mostly through strategic use of our social media platforms.• Coordination of written and visual media for the organisation's online presence.• Long-term strategic planning.

In the first three years, since the inception of Laneway Learning in early 2012, I worked as part of a mostly voluntary team to help create and grow the organisation. Specific tasks included:• Design and establishment of our branding, image and mission.• Work within the team to manage the continued improvement of our strategy and processes.• Initial website design and continuous implementation of improvements and modifications.• Organisation of classes and other events, working to constantly improve the services offered.• Support our teachers to make their classes more interactive and engaging.• Build and manage relationships with venues, partners, teachers and customers.

I worked in the research group of Dr Wallace Wong, which is interested in the design and synthesis of organic materials for applications in light harvesting and organic electronics. Specific roles included:• Lab management, risk assessment and safety coordination.• Direct and indirect supervision of PhD, Masters and Honours students.• Development, coordination and implementation of personal research projects.• Data review, interpretation and management.

I coordinated and monitored operating procedures of the Associate Editor of an international, peer-reviewed, biweekly chemistry research journal. Roles included:• Implementing the manuscript review process and office operations in the office of the Associate Editor (AE). • Monitor and expedite progress of manuscripts assigned to AE through peer review, revision, final decision and transfer to production.• Monitor web-based manuscript tracking system (Paragon+) in accordance with time standards. • Responsible for routine correspondence/interactions with journal authors, reviewers and office of the Editor-in-chief.• Assist the Data Analyst in the reviewing of Supporting Information for sufficient content, clarity of communication and consistency.

I completed a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry, under the supervision of Prof. Andrew B. Holmes. My studies focused on phospholipid and inositol phosphate signalling molecules and their role in cancer inducing pathways. My research project was extremely varied and required skills in problem solving, time management and the ability to quickly pick up and learn new skills. During my time as a PhD candidate I was successful in applying for grants and funding, giving oral presentations at international conferences and publishing peer reviewed scientific journal articles. I also instigated and maintained collaborations in Melbourne and around the world.During my candidature, I held several other positions to increase my experience:• Overseas Collaborative Research, University of Oxford – research projects to develop a network of collaborating partners in the UK and the US. Jan-Feb 2012 and Sep-Dec 2012.• College Tutor, Newman College – provide tutoring and assistance to students studying first- and second- year chemistry modules. Jan 2011-May 2012.• Laboratory Demonstrator, University of Melbourne – lead and support students studying first- and second- year chemistry modules through their laboratory units. Jan 2011-May 2012.• Science Faculty Coordinator, Ormond College – assist science students at the college with their personal development. Role included event organising, mentoring and acting as a point of contact for students. Jul 2011-May 2012.

Performed research under the additional supervision of Prof. Stuart Conway in line with my PhD research activities.

As part of the Undergraduate course at the University of Leeds I completed my third year as an industrial placement student, working on organic synthesis as part of a research group at GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA. I was working in the Exploratory Chemistry group under the supervision of Dr Timothy M. Willson, Dr David K. Jung and Michael J. Reno.