Chris Buckland - Assistant Director (Registry) & Chair of the Shadow Board
I am a graduate of the University of Glasgow and have recently returned to my role as Assistant Director of Registry having been seconded to posts in Student Engagement and Academic Policy & Governance during 2022 and 2023. I have worked in Higher Education since 2006, and within that time I have been responsible for a wide range of student-facing and operational activities, including Examinations, Financial Aid, Immigration Compliance and International Student Support and at the University of Glasgow, as well as tuition fee forecasting and Student Services at other institutions.
I was selected as Chair of the Shadow Board in August 2023, and I hope to be able to use my skills and experience to act as a critical friend to the Senior Management Group and make a positive difference for both staff and students.
Paul Harvey - Lecturer in Autonomous Systems (Electronic & Nanoscale Engineering)
Paul Harvey is a lecturer in Autonomous Systems at the James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow.
Additionally, he is a working group co-chair in the UN’s ITU-T Focus Group on Autonomous Networks and a visiting researcher at the University of Strathclyde. Paul also possess extensive experience in industrial research, where he was co-founder and research lead of the Rakuten Mobile Innovation Studio, and is a strong believer in open and collaborative research.
Amy-Beth Jordan - Events Manager (External Relations)
I am an Events Management professional with a passion for stakeholder experience, currently leading the Events Team within the External Relations Directorate. I have 15 years of experience in events and stakeholder engagement within the higher education sector, including seven at the University of Glasgow. My previous experience includes working within the private sector and in Arts & Culture, which is something I have a personal passion for.
Through my experience in Events, I have engaged with a wide array of internal and external stakeholders including prospective and exisiting students, alumni, donors, strategic partners, academics and everyone else in between! I am committed to ensuring that anyone who engages with the University through one of our events has a positive experience and feels a part of the #TeamUofG community.
I will embrace this new opportunity to support the Senior Management Team as a critical friend on the Shadow Board with a can-do mindset and hope to represent the University’s values in action.
Hessam Mehr - Research Fellow (School of Chemistry)
I am a research fellow working at the interface of chemistry, robotics, and computing science. A new addition to the shadowboard, I joined in 2022.
I have lived, worked, and studied in Iran and Canada prior to coming to Scotland, including a period of working for the Canadian Ministry of Health just before starting my post-doc in the Cronin group at Glasgow in March 2018. As an early-career researcher, I am glad to be able to represent the University's younger academics in the shadowboard, in addition to the concerns of the student body with whom researchers are invariably connected.
I have been a Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship since May 2022 working on next generation chemical discovery engines.
Craig Thomson-Gold - Graduation and Ceremonial Events Coordinator (Academic Services)
I joined the University in 2009 and worked in International Recruitment based in External Relations for nine years, before joining Registry in 2018. Currently, I am Graduation and Ceremonial Events Coordinator, managing university events including Commemoration Day and Remembrance Sunday. I am also Clerk to several committees including the Honorary Degrees and Academic Dress committees, and Secretary to the Military Education Committee of Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities. In my time at the University, I have worked collaboratively with staff from across the institution, something I look forward to continuing on the Shadow Board.
In my spare time, I enjoy walking, reading and range of arts and crafts.
My preferred pronouns are they/ them.
Simon Ambrose - Executive Officer to the Vice-Principal / Operations Manager (College of Arts & Humanities)
Emma McDougall - Policy & Project Lead (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion)
A proud graduate of the University of Glasgow, I spent fifteen years as a hospitality manager in both the public and private sectors before changing career in 2019. It was at this point I joined the University as a junior administrator while completing my master’s degree, and as such I hope to offer the Shadow Board insights from both a staff and mature student perspective.
In May 2024 I began a new role in our Equality Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) team as a Policy and Project Lead. This involves development of EDI initiatives including support for equality charters and EDI-related learning and development, alongside provision of specialist advice to managers, colleagues and students. Outside of work I enjoy doing battle with my garden, table-top gaming, and strength training at the gym.
I welcome the opportunity to use my skills and experience to ensure that the services, strategy and initiatives we are delivering as an institution are fair and accessible to everyone.
Alison Devlin - Student Operations Manager (College of Science & Engineering)
As the Student Operations Manager for College of Science and Engineering, I work collegiately to deliver an excellent service to our students and colleagues while aspiring to improve learning and teaching systems and processes for all. My experience in both School and College teams provides me with a comprehensive understanding of the learning and teaching space which I really value and will bring with me to the Shadow Board.
I will approach the Shadow Board with openness and innovation, and am looking forward to becoming a critical friend to the Senior Management Group. I am committed to make a positive difference for both students and colleagues.
Julia Hartley - Lecturer (Comparative Literature)
I am a Lecturer in Comparative Literature in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures with specialisms in French, Italian, and Iranian Studies. I joined the University of Glasgow in January 2023. Prior to this, I held posts at Oxford, Warwick, and King’s College London. The rapid expansion and privatisation of the UK higher education sector has left many academics and students feeling disconnected from decisions and disillusioned about the state of universities. I am therefore proud to work at an institution with a Shadow Board, giving those of us on the ground a valuable opportunity to share our feedback with senior management.
Tony Corrigan - Student Operations Manager (College of Social Sciences)
I am the Student Operations Manager for the College of Social Sciences (CoSS) . I joined the University in 2019 having previously worked in a variety of people leadership and programme management roles within the financial services sector. My role involves working with colleagues within CoSS , other Colleges and University level services to help shape and deliver the best possible support for our UG and PGR students throughout their studies. I strongly believe in the purpose of the Shadow Board and welcome the opportunity to build on the work to date, exchanging knowledge and experience with fellow Board members in order to provide constructive support and challenge to the Senior Management Group.
Ashton Duncan-Whitelaw - Digital Product Manager (Digital Experience)
I am a Digital Product Manager who has been at the University of Glasgow since early 2023. I lead cross-functional projects that deliver student-driven improvements and features across our digital portfolio, including the UofG Life App, Student Portal, and the UofG Design System. My experience is primarily in software development at startups, but I also worked in Marketing at the University of Iowa Press early in my career.
I studied Book History and Material Culture at the University of Edinburgh and previously lived on the Black Isle. I immigrated from the United States to join the University, bringing along my elderly poodle, and I enjoy playing tabletop games and reading in my spare time. I look forward to being a critical friend to the Senior Management Group while on the Shadow Board.
My pronouns are she/her.
Saeko Yazaki - Lecturer in Religious Studies (Theology & Religious Studies)
I am a Lecturer in Religious Studies in the School of Critical Studies, specialisinig in Sufism, faith and sustainability, Jewish-Muslim interactions, as well as the globalisation of Japanese traditions. I am committed to making a positive impact on university life, and have (co-)organised and been involved with numerous academic and other events in public, cultural/heritage and charity sectors. I am part of the School EDI Team, leading the Accessibility and Inclusivity Development working group. As a former international student in Scotland and a non-native speaker of English, I am keen to create opportunities to celebrate diversity more. I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the Shadow Board in order to benefit the wider university community of students and staff, and administration.
Mohammad Ali Salik - BECS Research Group Laboratory Manager (Geography & Earth Sciences)
I currently hold the position of Research Laboratory Manager for the BECS research group in the School of Geographical & Earth Sciences (GES), where my focus is on organic geochemistry and analytical chemistry. In addition, I also fulfil the role of Technician Commitment Coordinator for the University. My academic background includes a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Chemistry and Environmental Science from the Open University.
I commenced my professional journey at the University of Glasgow in 2012 as a Modern Apprentice immediately after high school. Upon successfully completing the apprenticeship programme in 2014, I transitioned into a technician role within the School of Chemistry while concurrently pursuing my academic degree. Throughout the ensuing years, I progressed through various technical positions both at the University of Glasgow and Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. Since 2017, my operational focus has been within the School of Geographical & Earth Sciences, where I presently oversee research laboratory activities. In 2020, I was entrusted with the responsibility of University Technician Commitment Coordinator, tasked with spearheading the formulation and execution of the University's Technician Commitment Action Plans and championing the visibility, recognition, career development, and sustainability of technical roles campus-wide. I am wholeheartedly committed to leveraging my knowledge and skills to contribute towards advancing the objectives of the Shadow Board in fostering positive transformation within the University.