I have worked in industry across sectors with most experience in management and development of charities, volunteering and fundraising. I have been lucky enough in these roles to have designed and managed a range of projects, events and partnerships, as well as being able to conduct research and extensive evaluations. Alongside this I have also held different roles in academia including as External Marker for University of Sunderland and External Examiner for University of Northampton and Leeds University. I am currently collaborating in research with colleagues at Northumbria University and Bristol University on publications on diversity management, volunteer motivation and events management.

I completed my PhD in 2014 with Teesside University: Sustainable Volunteering - Managing Volunteers in Cultural Heritage Attractions, which was a Tees Valley specific piece of work exploring the unique values, issues and management of this sector. My research interests lie in several fields: volunteer motivation, impacts and management, cultural and heritage tourism development, as well as the health and wellbeing impacts of the natural environment.