Job Shadowing HE

Susannah Marsden
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  • EDUCATION

Job Shadowing HE takes a deep dive into the roles of people who work in Higher Education. Featuring guests from across the sector, each episode reveals what’s involved in a specific role, the career path that led to it and tips on how to get in and get on in these jobs. Presented by Susannah Marsden.

  1. MAR 30

    Professor Ken Sloan, Vice-Chancellor and CEO of Harper Adams University

    Professor Ken Sloan, Vice-Chancellor and CEO of Harper Adams University. Ken has extensive experience in strategy leadership, governance and commercial activities gained through both the Higher Education and private sectors, and he became a VC through a non-academic route. In this episode, we discuss his leadership of this specialist university, including its strategic focus, living the institutional values, the role of entrepreneurship and his overall optimism about the future. We also reflect more broadly on the vital role of specialist institutions and why a diverse UK HE sector can and should be maintained. This episode is kindly sponsored by GatenbySanderson, the UK’s leadership expert across public services, not for profit and education. We partner with universities to find and place exceptional HE leaders and develop their teams – improving leadership performance, inclusivity and accelerating change. The Association of Higher Education Professionals and the British Universities FInance Directors Group, BUFDG, are both proud to support Job Shadowing HE as a valuable source of professional insight.

    43 min

  2. MAR 18

    Dr Charlotte Verney and Dr Joanne Caldwell: Valuing Research and Scholarship of Professional Services Staff

    Dr Charlotte Verney and Dr Joanne Caldwell each work in different areas of professional services, but both of them also engage in research and scholarship in HE management. In this episode, Charlotte and Joanne share more about their experience of balancing research and scholarship while working in a professional services role and consider the extent to which this type of portfolio of work is recognised and valued to the benefit of the sector. They also discuss their co-editorship of the Perspectives Journal, as well as the support networks available for current or aspiring professional services colleagues engaging in research. Resources mentioned in the episode: Journal: Perspectives: Policy and Practice in Higher Education | Journal | Taylor & Francis Online LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12963149/  Other: Higher Education Professional Services Research and Scholarship This episode is kindly sponsored by Tessa Harrison Executive Coaching. Tessa works with senior leaders across higher and further education who are navigating role transitions, leading organisational change or rethinking their careers. Her coaching blends reflective space with pragmatic challenge, enabling leaders to operate and make decisions with greater clarity and confidence. The Association of Higher Education Professionals and the British Universities FInance Directors Group, BUFDG, are both proud to support Job Shadowing HE as a valuable source of professional insight.

    47 min

  3. MAR 4

    Sarah Beavon: Chief Digital and Student Experience Officer

    Sarah Beavon has worked in Higher Education for over 20 years, moving through a series of increasingly senior roles to her current position as Chief Digital and Student Experience Officer at Canterbury Christchurch University. In 2025, she was recognised as one of the top 100 innovators and change makers of the year reflecting her success with large-scale digital transformation projects. In releasing this episode close to International Women’s Day 2026, Sarah’s reflects upon her career as a female IT leader, the importance of coaching and mentoring, what introverted or quiet leadership looks like, and what the future may hold to support aspiring digital leaders. This episode is kindly sponsored by Niico AI. Niico automates admissions and student services across systems universities and colleges already use, without replacing them. Using conversational AI and process automation, we reduce manual workload and deliver a better student experience to support growth and improve operational efficiency.  Book a demo at niico.ai. The Association of Higher Education Professionals and the British Universities FInance Directors Group, BUFDG, are both proud to support Job Shadowing HE as a valuable source of professional insight.

    30 min

  4. FEB 18

    Hugh Jones: Hugh Jones Consulting

    Hugh Jones is a renowned figure in Higher Education having worked in several universities during his career and, since 2014, undertaken consultancy work with over 60 clients. He is also the founder of the HE postcard series on Wonkhe, and Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors at Birmingham City University.  In this episode, Hugh delves into his career background  and what it’s like to engage as a consultant. He also reflects more broadly on the HE landscape including the strategic opportunities institutions, as well as how governance needs to change into the future. He additionally offers some top tips for careers in HE professional services, and also shares what motivates him to continue working in the sector.  This podcast is kindly sponsored by Ellucian Student powered by Banner. Ellucian Student is the modern AI powered SaaS solution purpose-built for Higer Education, empowering your institution to seamlessly connect people, processes and applications. By choosing Ellucian you choose a winning combination of global and regional expertise. The Association of Higher Education Professionals and the British Universities FInance Directors Group, BUFDG, are both proud to support Job Shadowing HE as a valuable source of professional insight.

    52 min

  5. FEB 4

    Professor Emmanuel Adukwu: Dean for Students

    Professor Emmanuel Adukwu is Dean for Students at UWE Bristol and professor of microbiology. Emmanuel started his Dean for Students post just a couple of months ago, transitioning from a deputy head of school into this university senior leadership role. A central focus of his career is removing barriers to ensure access and quality of opportunity for all, illustrated in his national and international work such as Chair of the Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum, as well as UWE’s Dean for Students. Amongst other things, we talk about his career to date, his approach to leading through influence, what “ownership thinking” means, what’s coming up in his Dean for Students role and how he balances life as a senior leader.  This episode is kindly sponsored by Peridot Partners. Peridot Partners transforms leadership and inspires change across organisations with a social purpose. Their specialist higher education team recruits diverse leaders and governors who are driven by your vision of academic excellence. The Association of Higher Education Professionals and the British Universities FInance Directors Group, BUFDG, are both proud to support Job Shadowing HE as a valuable source of professional insight.

    30 min
  6. Leading Differently: Aaron Tyler, Co-Founder and Director of Pact Solutions

    12/17/2025

    Leading Differently: Aaron Tyler, Co-Founder and Director of Pact Solutions

    Aaron Tyler is Co-Founder and Director of Pact Solutions. In this episode, Aaron reflects upon some of the themes I recorded with 4 different Vice-Chancellors in the Leading Differently mini-series, including how those topics inform practice at Pact Solutions. We also consider the institutional leadership qualities he looks for when working with an institution - and later on in the episode we look to the future in relation to the role of the student record system, the potential of AI and models of shared services.  This mini-series is kindly sponsored by PACT Solutions, which helps universities achieve their ambitions through digital transformation — specialising in the student journey, student records, data & reporting, AI and change management. The Association of Higher Education Professionals is proud to support Job Shadowing HE as a valuable source of professional insight.

    38 min
  7. Leading Differently: Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Bristol

    11/26/2025

    Leading Differently: Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Bristol

    Professor Evelyn Welch is the Vice-Chancellor at the University of Bristol. Evelyn has a notable career path in research intensive institutions,and took up the Vice-Chancellor post at Bristol in 2022. In this episode, we explore a number of current regional, national and international initiatives under her leadership. We also discuss a wide range of other topics including the student experience, university finances, the importance of modern languages in HE, collaboration between institutions - and we also touch upon Evelyn’s own research.  This mini-series is kindly sponsored by PACT Solutions, which helps universities achieve their ambitions through digital transformation — specialising in the student journey, student records, data & reporting, AI and change management. The Association of Higher Education Professionals is proud to support Job Shadowing HE as a valuable source of professional insight.

    43 min
  8. Leading Differently: Professor David Mba, Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University

    11/12/2025

    Leading Differently: Professor David Mba, Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University

    Professor David Mba is Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University, and in this episode he talks about developing the vision for the University as being an exemplar anchor institution and how its work is intertwined with the city of Birmingham. He shares more about the innovative way in which science, technology, engineering, mathematics - and the arts - come together at the University, including what goes on in the unique Steamhouse, and we also discuss cultural change to reduce the degree attainment gap and to ensure high levels of student satisfaction.  This mini-series is kindly sponsored by PACT Solutions, which helps universities achieve their ambitions through digital transformation — specialising in the student journey, student records, data & reporting, AI and change management. The Association of Higher Education Professionals is proud to support Job Shadowing HE as a valuable source of professional insight.

    32 min
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About

Job Shadowing HE takes a deep dive into the roles of people who work in Higher Education. Featuring guests from across the sector, each episode reveals what’s involved in a specific role, the career path that led to it and tips on how to get in and get on in these jobs. Presented by Susannah Marsden.

Information

  • Creator
    Susannah Marsden
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    54
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Job Shadowing HE

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