Dr Anna Conzatti - Research Fellow

What does your current job look like on a day-to-day basis?
I work remotely as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow on the HouseInc project, a European research initiative funded under the Horizon Programme. My daily tasks vary but generally involve conducting research on inclusive, affordable, and sustainable housing for marginalised communities. This includes reviewing literature, analysing data, and collaborating with colleagues across different institutions. A significant part of my work focuses on understanding the impact of housing inequalities on health. I engage in interdisciplinary discussions, write and revise research papers, and contribute to project deliverables. Additionally, I participate in virtual meetings with research partners, policymakers, and stakeholders to ensure our findings have real-world impact. My work is highly collaborative, requiring coordination across different countries, but also involves independent research and analysis.

Thinking about work, which of your achievements are you proudest of?
One of the achievements I am proudest of is completing my Master’s degree while navigating a cancer diagnosis. Balancing the demands of academia with such a significant personal challenge was incredibly difficult, but it strengthened my resilience and determination. This experience motivated me to pursue a PhD abroad (in UK and Japan), which was another milestone in my academic journey. During my PhD, I developed the first co-designed airflow and airborne transmission risk model for humanitarian shelters - in collaboration with NGOs and humanitarian workers. This tool, now being tested in countries such as Afghanistan, has the potential to improve living conditions for millions of displaced people by informing shelter design and enhancing indoor air quality. Knowing that my research could contribute to tangible improvements in people’s lives is one of my proudest professional achievements.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work time?
Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and friends, as they are an important source of support and happiness for me. I have a passion for travelling, as it allows me to experience different ways of living, and gain fresh perspectives. I also enjoy horse riding, which gives me a sense of freedom and connection with nature. In addition, I practice yoga and Pilates and hiking, which help me maintain both physical and mental well-being. I am also part of a book club, where I enjoy discussing literature and discovering new authors. Gardening is another activity I find fulfilling, as it allows me to connect with nature and create something tangible. I have many interests, and I truly enjoy engaging in activities that bring balance, relaxation, and joy to my life.

What advice would you give to other women who are working in higher education?
My advice to other women working in higher education is to embrace their achievements with confidence and not be afraid to take up space. Academia can be a challenging environment, but your voice and contributions are valuable. Surround yourself with supportive mentors and colleagues who uplift you, and do not hesitate to seek opportunities that align with your passions and strengths. It is also important to set boundaries and prioritise well-being—burnout is common, but taking care of yourself is essential for long-term success. Finally, never underestimate the power of collaboration and solidarity with other women in academia. Building strong networks and supporting one another can make a real difference in creating a more inclusive and equitable academic environment.

Vanessa Gordon - ECEHH Administrator and Co-Centre Manager, Centre for Net Positive Health and Climate Solutions

What does your current job look like on a day-to-day basis?
Busy days spent supporting academic and PS staff of ECEHH and Net + Centres, forming positive relationships with colleagues, navigating University systems, providing guidance, developing processes to meet objectives and deliver projects within timescales, budget and funding criteria.

Thinking about work, which of your achievements are you proudest of?
Being a successful team player, always helpful and supportive.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work time?
dog walking, swimming, kayaking, sailing - generally immersing in nature.

What advice would you give to other women who are working in higher education?
Be proud of what you bring to the table, you don't have to have an academic background to have worth in HE.

Prof Gesche Huebner - Professor of Environment & Human Health & Director of the ECEHH

What does your current job look like on a day-to-day basis?
Every day entails lots of meetings and emails! Being the Director of the ECEHH means there is quite a bit of time dedicated to management, leadership, and administrative tasks. But I also try to reserve sufficient time for research and meet the Research Fellows with whom I am working regularly. We currently have two exciting projects on energy and housing inequalities and their implications for health.

Thinking about work, which of your achievements are you proudest of?
I don’t think there is the one single achievement I am proudest of – it is probably more my overall work ethic and how I have developed over the years. I take time to listen, I speak up when I think something isn’t right, I am ambitious and can make the most of opportunities (but not at the expense of others), I am approachable – well, at least I try to be all these things; maybe I should check with my colleagues how they perceive me!

What do you enjoy doing outside of work time?
Spending time with my family – ideally outdoors! We are very lucky and live close to the beach so we go there a lot. I also really love reading – I cannot go to sleep without reading at least a few pages every evening. I exercise a fair bit though I haven’t really found “my group” yet since having moved to Cornwall last year.

What advice would you give to other women who are working in higher education?
Don’t strive for perfectionism and do say no. It is pretty well established that women carry a lot more of the mental load – the constant thinking, planning, adjusting, remembering, and organising – definitely in the household but my hunch is also at work. And that’s a lot to carry and can create substantial pressure. Don’t try to be perfect and don’t feel obliged to say yes to everything or to volunteer continuously.

Mae Mansoubi - Senior Fellow in Digital Health Innovation

What does your current job look like on a day-to-day basis?
I co-develop and research cutting-edge health technologies that transform care for those with movement disorders, neurodegenerative or neurological conditions. By harnessing innovative research and advanced methodologies, I help create solutions that empower individuals to live more vibrant, active lives.

Thinking about work, which of your achievements are you proudest of?
One of my proudest achievements is co-founding DigiTherapix, an innovative digital health platform that is revolutionising remote patient rehabilitation. Through DigiTherapix, we are reshaping the future of healthcare by harnessing cutting-edge technology to deliver transformative solutions that empower patients. In addition to my research work, I serve as the Deputy Director of EDI within our department, where I am dedicated to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusivity. This role allows me to blend my passion for technological innovation with my commitment to creating a more equitable and supportive environment for all.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work time?
Outside work, I enjoy diving into creative programming projects that fuel my curiosity and challenge my skills. I also love taking relaxing walks in nature. And, of course, getting lost in a good book is one of my favourite hobbies.

What advice would you give to other women who are working in higher education?
I believe that women in higher education—and in any field—are already framework pioneers, marked by their resilience, talent, and insight. Rather than offering advice, I feel it's more important to celebrate the incredible achievements and hard work each of you brings to your roles every day. Your ability to drive innovation, and support one another is nothing short of inspirational. Instead of a checklist of recommendations, I simply encourage you to continue breaking boundaries, uplifting your peers, and embracing your unique journey. Your work speaks for itself, lighting the way forward for future generations.

Vicki McKenna - Department Manager for PHSS

What does your current job look like on a day-to-day basis?
As a Department Manager, no two days are the same! I generally describe it as keeping the wheels on the bus and helping to steer it in the right direction. I spend a lot of time in meetings, on various topics covering the department, or faculty initiatives, as well as keeping in touch with colleagues from Professional Services divisions. I have (literally) an open door policy and try to ensure that I’m around should anyone need to speak with me about any issue.

Thinking about work, which of your achievements are you proudest of?
I’ve worked for the University of Exeter for 15 years, in various roles, and I’m proud of the reputation I’ve built over those years of being someone who cares about our people and our work. I’ve tried to balance ambition in progression with also getting to grips with the role/area I’m working in to ensure that I can fully understand and contribute to it’s success and develop myself along the way.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work time?
Time with my family is important, with two boys that are growing up way too fast! I love being near the sea as well, even in bad weather a walk on the beach lifts everyone’s moods.

What advice would you give to other women who are working in higher education?
In any field, I’d say that the support you receive, or give, to other women is invaluable. Create and develop that support network and be there for each other.  

Dr Tamsin Newlove-Delgado - Associate Professor in Child Public Mental Health and Honorary Consultant in Public Health Medicine

What does your current job look like on a day-to-day basis?
Day-to-day my calendar looks very full of meetings, but it's a varied and interactive job which is what I love about it. Usually it will be a mixture of supervision, teaching, grant or paper writing, speaking or presenting and then meetings relating to various projects, programmes or groups I'm leading or supporting. And always emails and plenty of coffee!

Thinking about work, which of your achievements are you proudest of?
As a collective achievement, I'm really proud that our research collaboration (the Children and Young People's Mental Health Research Collaboration - ChYMe) recently celebrated our 5th birthday, which has absolutely been a team effort over our early years. On a personal level, my work with the NHS England Mental Health of Children and Young People survey series over the pandemic has been a highlight in terms of contributing to real-time and responsive epidemiology, again with a fantastic team of partners.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work time?
Singing - I have lessons and sing soprano in a local choir - something completely different from my day job!

What advice would you give to other women who are working in higher education?
It's not a very novel insight, but I have genuinely found that having supportive peers and mentors has made a real difference in my career. Making time for those kinds of connections is really important.

Martine Paynter - Senior Administrator

What does your current job look like on a day-to-day basis?
My job involves a big variety of activity, including problem-solving, supporting researchers and administrative colleagues, sharing knowledge, and handling administrative tasks. Additionally, I focus on future planning, managing budgets, and facilitating meetings.

Thinking about work, which of your achievements are you proudest of?
I am really proud of the positive and supportive workplace culture we all strive to foster at ECEHH. Creating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered has always been at the heart of ECEHH, and I’m proud of the strong sense of community we’ve built together. When I think about tasks I am proud of then managing the office relocation in 2023 was rewarding challenge. Coordinating all the logistics and budget, ensuring minimal disruption, and overseeing the communication allowed me to contribute to our work in a really tangible way. I will never get tired of our new workspace, and I am proud that it has given a home to ECEHH that truly reflects our work culture.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work time?
Outside of work time I enjoy exploring Cornwall through walking and camping. I am the lead volunteer for a Scout group and love teaching the young people new skills and spending Thursday evenings out enjoying the fresh air with them - I am particularly proud that we strive to be an inclusive Scout group where all young people can thrive and have fun.

What advice would you give to other women who are working in higher education?
It’s important to set boundaries that support your work-life balance or part-time hours. Allow yourself the grace to recognise that, while you may not be able to take on as much as a full-time colleague, your contributions are still valuable and make you an essential team member.

Dr Abby Russell - Senior Lecturer

What does your current job look like on a day-to-day basis?
Busy! I spend most of my time doing research, managing my team to recruit people, collecting and analysing data, and writing up what we find. I manage several projects so this requires a lot of juggling. I spend a lot of my time in meetings! I supervise a range of PhD, masters and undergraduate students too as well as things like sitting on our EDI committee and being a member of Senate.

Thinking about work, which of your achievements are you proudest of?
Getting my own funding to conduct the research that I think is valuable and important, and securing a permanent post at Exeter (even if it does mean that I have to teach as well as do research!). I am also extremely proud of my team and the wider group that I work within, we all work really hard and we have a collaborative and fun dynamic. I feel really proud when anyone in my team achieves something, especially when it's a first for them (first paper, first conference presentation, first job interview, first time they have said no to something...)

What do you enjoy doing outside of work time?
I live on the edge of Dartmoor, I enjoy spending time in nature walking my dogs. I like gardening (growing veg in particular) and enjoy yoga and creating art- from spray painting to pottery.

What advice would you give to other women who are working in higher education?
Find a good mentor who has already worked out how to navigate some of the challenges of academic life, and who can help you to make decisions that are good for your work AND your work-life balance. I have had several mentors, they aren't all women, and I really value being able to discuss some of the more difficult aspects of my work with people who aren't so close to the situation. Spend some time deciding what your values and priorities are, and act in line with these. It's so easy to type this out, but SO hard to actually do!

Luciana Torquati - Senior Lecturer in Nutrition, Director of EDI for PHSS department

What does your current job look like on a day-to-day basis?
Not everyday is the same, but they are characterised by a mix of meetings with students about research projects, replying to emails, chasing something that did not work on T1, finally finishing 'that' paper, running to deliver a lecture/practical session, meeting colleagues to discuss a current/future research idea/funding application, cycling across Exeter to/from work.

Thinking about work, which of your achievements are you proudest of?
Being awarded a prestigious PhD scholarship by the Australian Government to complete a PhD degree at The University of Queensland, and leading on the AfN accreditation of our BSc Nutrition degree at Exeter.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work time?
Cooking (and eating!), travelling, and discovering new spots to visit around the South West.

What advice would you give to other women who are working in higher education?
Be confident on your skills and voice. Protect your time and say no to things that you are not comfortable with, or do not align with your goals/ interest.