Global mobility conference 2024

Alison Barrett MBE has worked for the British Council for over 25 years in country, regional and global level roles in our Teaching, Examinations and Cultural Engagement departments building cultural and educational connections between the UK and our network overseas.  Most of her career has been spent in the Asia-Pacific region including in Japan, South Korea, Pakistan, Thailand and in India, where she was based for nearly 20 years between 1997-2016. She returned to India as British Council’s Country Director in January 2023 and now leads national operations across Arts & Culture, Education and English Programmes. 

Alyssa Martin is a Senior Alumni Networks Manager in Westminster’s Alumni Relations Office. Alyssa has a role of engaging and building relationships with Westminster graduates living outside the UK, encouraging life-long connections with the University. Alyssa works closely with a range of stakeholders from internal colleagues at all levels to external volunteers. Alyssa Martin is the Founder and Head of Westminster Working Cultures, a flagship short-term mobility programme at Westminster and a fantastic opportunity for students to enhance their employability through meeting with alumni and partners to hear about the working environment in locations around the world. 

Professor Andy Schofield has been the Vice-Chancellor of Lancaster University since May 2020. He was previously Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Engineering at the University of Birmingham. He is a theoretical physicist working in the area of condensed matter physics specialising in correlated electrons. He works closely with experimental groups who develop and study new materials using high precision techniques at low temperatures to understand how emergent properties like superconductivity, magnetism and novel metal behaviour arise. 

One of Mauve’s longest-serving employees, Annette’s role as Account Manager afforded her more than 15 years of expert knowledge in global mobility and employment solutions. In 2017 Annette was promoted to Global Sales Manager, and is now responsible for a global team of highly successful professionals. Annette designs and implements strategy to ensure the continued success of the account management team and achievement of organisational goals.

Dr Anthony Manning is Dean for Global and Lifelong Learning at the University of Kent, where he is responsible for leading international education and lifelong learning. Anthony has lived and worked in five countries and is also a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a National Teaching Fellow. Anthony is co-chair of the UUKi's working group for Internationalisation at Home and a passionate supporter of the internationalisation of the curriculum.  He is an experienced international external examiner, the Chair of the British Accreditation Council’s Accreditation Committee and an expert member of advisory groups for the British Council and AdvanceHE. 

Dimitra Boutsioukis has been working in Higher Education for over 15 years. In her current position at Newcastle University’s International Office, she has been responsible for developing and implementing the University’s International Mobility Strategic Plan, which has facilitated an inclusive and diverse offer of global learning experiences. She is now leading on the development and delivery of a cross-institutional Global Education and Community initiative, which is an integral part of Newcastle University’s value-led Global Strategy and aims to provide every student with access to a global opportunity. 

Eduardo's role oversees both incoming Study Abroad and Exchange programmes and Exchanges, Work Placements and short term study and work abroad for Westminster students including the Global Experience Bursary. Inspired by an Erasmus year in Italy and periods teaching and volunteering abroad, Eduardo has focused on delivering international opportunities. Previously, Eduardo managed Global Opportunities at Goldsmiths and delivered the Generation UK-India and Language Assistants programmes for the British Council. Eduardo Lees is passionate about creating opportunities and developing skills. In free time Eduardo volunteers for Southwark Youth Justice Service and is training to be a career and life coach. 

Emma Marku is an Internationalisation Officer at the University of Kent and has been involved in international education for the past 14 years.  In her current role Emma works closely with colleagues to identify, explore and develop new global opportunities for students that supports Internationalisation at Home initiatives.  These include the management and coordination of Kent’s Global Officer Leadership Development Programme, International Student Advisory Board and Virtual Mobility/Exchange activities.  Emma co-chairs the UUKi’s working group for Internationalisation at Home, is a staff sustainability champion at the University of Kent, and a member of the Association of Higher Education Professionals, participating in their Student Experience and Engagement, Partnerships, and International HE networks.     

Jamie was appointed Director of Universities UK International (UUKi) in November 2022. Prior to taking on this role, Jamie led Universities UK’s research and innovation policy programme (2014-2017) before becoming Assistant Director for Policy Engagement at UUKi (2017-2022).  Before joining Universities UK in 2010, Jamie was a research associate and ESRC research fellow at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Education and Social Research Institute. 

Jo’s role encompasses both international development and UK partnerships with FE colleges and employers, particularly in the delivery of apprenticeships. Jo works on the growth and diversity of the University’s provision including internationalisation, TNE partnerships and new modes of teaching that support social mobility through re-skilling and up-skilling in new and sustainable technologies.  She led the successful regional bid for the Greater Manchester Institute of Technology with Further Education and employer partners. Within the University Jo is Chair of the Academic Development, Numbers and Planning Committee, the Higher Technical Skills and Apprenticeships Board and the Equity Assurance Committee.   

Lana Spour, Global Education and Community Manager, excels in fostering cross-cultural connections. Spearheading student exchange agreements and securing funding for global opportunities, Lana ensures seamless development and management. Her expertise stems from pivotal roles at Newcastle University, where she contributed significantly to the international recruitment and international relations and partnerships teams. With a passion for nurturing educational inclusivity, Lana's career is marked by a dedication to empowering students through diverse academic experiences. Her journey reflects a commitment to breaking barriers and creating collaborative spaces for global learning and community enrichment. 

Margaret is Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement at Queen’s University Belfast. She is also Professor of French and Intercultural Communication, and her current research centres on debates around: travel, migration and mobility; cross-cultural communication and representation; and the public value of the Arts and Humanities. Her recent book, The Humanities Pandemic: Towards an Essential Services Approach (Palgrave, 2023) argues for the importance of the Humanities in tackling global challenges such as Covid. Margaret is also involved in a range of social innovation initiatives, both within Queen’s University and in the wider community, focused on supporting young people to achieve their potential. 

Professor Neville Wylie is Deputy Principal (Internationalisation) and Professor of International History at the University of Stirling. He has also recently been appointed to the Executive Board of The Young European Research University Network (YERUN). Professor Wylie was previously Associate Pro Vice Chancellor for Global Engagement at the University of Nottingham, where he had particular responsibility for the Americas region.  He was also chair of the UUKi Latin America Group from 2020-2022.  Professor Wylie’s research explores various aspects of modern warfare and draws on the disciplines of History, International Relations and International Law.   

Professor Simon Guy’s remit is to develop, connect and lead Lancaster University’s digital, international and sustainability plans. He is leading on the growth of Lancaster University Leipzig, while continuing to develop Lancaster’s partner campuses in Malaysia, China, and Ghana, and intensifying their inter-connectivity. He is currently working to establish a fifth campus in Indonesia in collaboration with Deakin University. He also the executive lead on Lancaster’s programme of digital transformation and is responsible for delivering on plans for de-carbonisation to meet Lancaster’s climate emergency declaration.