Introductions

Here are short introductions to each member of the team!

Helen Uglow Tour Leader
I am the Deputy Secretary at the London Business School, where my remit is to provide support in the areas of corporate governance and planning. My work includes committee and subsidiary company secretariat services, licencing and accreditation, legal and regulatory compliance, business performance reporting and sustainability. I love combining work and travel, and the opportunity to lead this study tour fulfils a long-held desire to visit and learn more about South Africa.

Caroline Baugh Leader Theme 1: Getting in to university
I graduated in 1997 with a BA (Hons) Marketing degree. I have worked in the Higher Education sector since then undertaking a variety of roles working in both undergraduate and postgraduate research and teaching at several key universities. I am currently a Project Manager at Imperial College London providing financial and administrative support to the Petroleum and Minerals Group. This includes the management of a Petroleum Engineering PhD and Masters programme.

Sally McKinley Theme 1
Employed at Brunel University providing support on quality and standards assurance, programme approvals, academic appeals, and disciplinary procedures. Enthusiastically support the AUA and am Deputy Convenor for the International Higher Education Network (IHEN). The South African Study Tour is so exciting and I look forward to observing and scrutinising potential partners' good practice in the selection and entry of students, their collaborative arrangements, their educational objectives and strategies and their compatibility with other UK institutions.

Sarah Moffat Theme 1
I currently work at Royal Holloway as the Senior Faculty Administrator in the School of Biological Sciences. I have responsibility for all administration within the School and manage a team of 5 staff, as well as having oversight of the budget. I have worked in HE for over 5 years in various roles and have a particular interest in Admissions. I am looking forward to learning about the HE sector in South Africa and exchanging ideas on best practice.

Will Naylor Leader Theme 2: Life beyond the classroom
I work at the Quality Assurance Agency - the UK equivalent of South Africa's Higher Education Quality Committee. My current role is Deputy Director in QAA's Reviews Group. I am responsible for all the reviews of publicly-funded universities and colleges in England and Northern Ireland. I am delighted to be part of the AUA trip to South Africa because it will allow me to learn more about the South African higher education system and hopefully also draw some inspiration for meeting the challenges we face in the UK.

Iain Puller Theme 2
I am originally from Scotland and went to the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. After two years as a Student Sabbatical officer, I loved working with Student Societies and the activities that they do so much that I am now the Societies Development Coordinator at the London School of Economics Student Union. In my role I get to see, help and develop student societies which is thoroughly rewarding and I wanted to come on the tour to see how student societies operate in a different culture and environment.

Elizabeth Williams Theme 2
Goldsmiths, University of London. Subject Librarian - Academic research support for the History Department/The Centre of Cultural Studies/Theatre and Performance, Special Collections. Academic liaison, managing book fund budgets, research support and workshops, staff supervision and training. Visiting Lecturer and seminar leader in History department. To explore the challenges facing students as they undertake courses and prepare to enter the workplace and further study in South Africa and abroad.

Marcella Keher Leader Theme 3: Professional development
Director of Operations, University of Birmingham. In my current role I am responsible for the support services across a large college and line manage 230 staff who deliver across specialist and generalist services. I am interested in joining the Study Tour to explore different approaches to professional development. I am also keen to develop my knowledge of the South African education system and to initiate contacts that could be further developed once I return home.

Rebecca Boyle Theme 3
Currently working as a Departmental Administrator for the Department of Geography at the National University of Ireland Maynooth. I feel that the socio-economic and political challenges faced in the past and present by Ireland and South Africa provide great potential for mutual learning on comparative bases. Embarking on the Study Tour I hope to investigate the development opportunities for mid-level personnel and the willingness of this cohort to pursue, evaluate and determine their own professional advancement.

Linda Hockley Theme 3
University of Hull. I recently took up the post of Director of Student Services to lead a Directorate comprising a merged number of student services, with a view to developing a more student-friendly, consistent and responsive environment for students. The Student Experience is at the heart of our University's Vision, and I am keen to explore this emerging focus for Higher Education and approaches to related professional development further. The tour offers an excellent opportunity to investigate both areas from an international perspective.