Speakers
Professor Leanne Williams
Plenary Session
Recognising and embracing both our own and others’ positionality and expertise is key to building a stronger, more inclusive scientific community. Professor Leanne Williams will explore how valuing diverse perspectives enhances research, innovation, and collaboration. By addressing systemic biases and removing barriers to success, she will outline the steps needed to create an academic and scientific culture where everyone can thrive.
Prior to working in HE Leanne gained extensive experience in technical and research supporting roles, working on both the C.elegans and Human genome project at the Sanger institute, shortly followed by a senior research assistant position in University of Cambridge Biochemistry department. Leanne then taught for many years FE, before completing a PhD at the University of Nottingham.
In 2012 she joined the University of Warwick as a Teaching Fellow. Her experience in FE, and a focus on identifying and minimising transitional barriers, provided a framework for institutional recognition winning the Warwick award for teaching excellence. As Senior Tutor and Director of student wellbeing Leanne affected cultural change in placing student wellbeing and representation at the front and centre of curriculum development, provision and support. The impact was again recognised with the Warwick award for Personal Tutor Excellence. Leanne continues to lecture at Warwick, whilst also full-time Academic lead for LearnSci, drawn to their progressive and innovative support of technical and analytical skills, and the vast potential for edtech to add value and equity of opportunity for both learners and practitioners.
We are delighted to have Merisha Stevenson guiding our conference. As a celebrated presenter from BBC Radio WM and an experienced broadcaster, Merisha has a profound knack for engaging audiences and steering conversations that touch on pivotal issues. Her extensive background in financial strategy and risk management, coupled with her passionate advocacy for empowering underrepresented voices, makes her the perfect host for our event.
Merisha is sure to leave a lasting impact on our conference, inspiring us all to embrace change and drive forward the cause of inclusivity in the scientific community, and ensure that every participant's voice is heard and valued.