Plan and delivers an effective programme of policy, research and public affairs work, with a strong emphasis on engagement and communication with members, networks and other external stakeholders.

Co-opted member. Voluntary role on the AAB to help the Engagement Team continuously improve the services provided to all members of the Alumni Association and support delivery of the university strategy.

Institutional researcher at a post-1992 university. Led on the Access and Participation Plan Evaluation Project (APPEP) to fulfil the university’s commitment to evaluating its APP. Set up the Widening Participation Community of Practice of colleagues working in this important area. The Community of Practice is a helping community which connects members, so they feel able to ask for help and to learn from each other. Awarded two institutional research awards for projects exploring the experiences of estranged students in HE. Research on estranged students used as the basis for university's application to the Stand Alone Pledge stating public commitment to supporting estranged students whilst studying (2019). Awarded funding from SMaRteN to research the university experiences of students with caring responsibilities and their wellbeing [grant number ES/S00324X/1] (2021).

Researched the student experience in Higher Education in the Vice Chancellor’s Office. The findings from the main stage of fieldwork were shared at the European Educational Research Association conference, ECER 2017 in Copenhagen and at the British Educational Research Association conference held at the University of Sussex, September 2017. I also presented on this research with Prof. Mary Stuart, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lincoln at the first Lincoln Higher Education Research Institute research seminar in October 2017.

Researcher on the Postgraduate Experience Project (PEP) funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) where I worked with Dr. Andrea Abbas (University of Bath). Institutional researcher for the University of Lincoln and completed much of the IR role for the University of Wolverhampton. This consortium project was conceived and led by Dr. Michelle Morgan at Kingston University. The final report written by Michelle and Ines Direito is available: http://www.postgradexperience.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Postgraduate-Experience-Report-Final.pdf I also taught on the Ed.D. programme whilst employed in the School of Education and was awarded Associate Fellowship of the HEA in November 2015.

Senior Research Associate in LISU, Centre for Information Management 2012-14.Researcher on the MAIPLE project. Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council [AHRC] it explored Internet access in public libraries in the UK including issues of content control, ethics and digital inclusion. An academic journal article which emerged from that project was awarded: Highly Commended paper, 2017 Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence. Also worked on a project with RNIB and The Reading Agency - Assessing the Impact of Reading for Blind and Partially Sighted Adults in 2012.

I worked in a number of research roles from 2004 -2012. Research Officer - providing research expertise and advice in relation to project work and tenders; Managing research and development projects using Prince II; Writing for varied audiences in publications, reports, tenders; Training and supporting peer researchers; Building relationships with practitioners and in communities; Developing materials for peer researchers and colleagues; Organising and speaking at events. Research Assistant - Working for diverse funders including government departments, charities and public bodies. Developing own area of work as basis for organisation’s future work. Networking with practitioners and other interested bodies. Disseminating research findings at events and conferences. Standing in for manager on sabbatical and when post vacant.I worked on the following outputs: The building blocks of quality in family learning (2006)Adding Value: Adult learning and extended services (2006)A Load of Dosh [DVD] (2007)An exploratory study on the links between family learning and parenting programmes in local authority settings (2007)Connect five: family learning and every child matters (2007)Making the connection: The Mental Health and Family Learning pack (2008)Dare to dream: Learning journeys of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Somali women (2008)

Researcher on the Biblio.for.mEDA Project working with Prof. Anne Goulding. The project was funded under the European Commission’s Leonardo da Vinci programme. The project was coordinated by IAL Nazionale, Italy and was carried out in collaboration with partners from Cyprus, Italy, Hungary, Romania and Latvia. This project compared and analysed best practices in the library systems of the participating countries to develop an organisational and training model with the aim of promoting the librarian’s role in the facilitation of lifelong learning. I was responsible for event organisation when we held a seminar for partners in the UK; data gathering, analysis and dissemination and writing for publication.

Research: Data entry and statistical analysis of questionnaires using SPSS for Prof. Jack Meadows. Literature searching and review for a report on scholarly communication led by LISU. Teaching: Assisting undergraduate students in computer lab sessions. Marking undergraduate reports. Facilitating seminars on Research Methodologies with postgraduate students.

I worked for Nottingham City Council in a number of temporary/casual roles whilst undertaking postgraduate study at Loughborough University. This included working unsupervised in a number of public libraries across Nottingham predominantly at Sneinton library where I worked on a casual basis for two years and at the Museum of Nottingham Life.

I worked as a library assistant in the Business section of Nottingham Central Library on a one year placement to gain pre-library school experience prior to undertaking a postgraduate library and information degree. The post provided me with the opportunity to gain practical hands on experience of providing a library and information service to the public.

Part time maternity cover post. Providing a library and information service to the public which included answering enquiries and assisting library users with ICT.

Temporary post in an academic library whilst I began postgraduate study also at Nottingham Trent University.