Our Senior Leadership Group

Catherine joined the University in May 2022 as the new Director of Research Strategy and Services.

As the most senior Professional Services research lead at the University Catherine supports the realisation of our Birmingham ambitions, which include: increasing our research income and diversifying our research funding portfolio; developing and growing research partnerships with industry, health and policy partners and with the cultural sector; building on our Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 performance and planning for a future REF: enhancing our approach to research impact; and providing first-rate services to our researchers.

Catherine has previously led Professional Services support for research and knowledge exchange activities at the universities of Warwick, Liverpool, and Sheffield.

Helen joined the University as Director of Business Engagement and Research Impact in April 2024, coming from Coventry University, where she was Associate Director of Knowledge Exchange.

 A knowledge exchange and research impact leader, Helen has two decades of experience, predominantly in the West Midlands. In her previous role Helen grew and maintained Coventry University’s excellent reputation for knowledge exchange, and most recently her work has been acknowledged in the Times Higher Education Awards’, winning ‘Knowledge Exchange Initiative of the Year’.

Steve is Assistant Director in the Research Strategy and Services Division with responsibility for the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and Life and Environmental Sciences.

Steve leads the Research Strategy and Development, Research Support and Post Award teams, managing the full life-cycle of support for research, as well as cross-institutional support for Interdisciplinary Research delivered through the Institute of Global Innovation (IGI).

Steve was previously Head of Strategic Research Development in Research Support Services leading a team responsible for supporting development of our largest strategic, multi-million-pound major collaborative research and innovation programmes; regional engagement including SME programmes and managing UKRI funds for impact.

After completing a PhD in Environmental Geophysics, Steve worked for environmental consultants Aspinwall and Co. then Enviros Ltd before joining the University sector in 2001. In 2009, Steve led the University’s engagement on the development of the Manufacturing Technology Centre, in 2013 led the development of the £60m High Temperature Research Centre with Rolls-Royce; and in 2016/17 the development of the £92m UK Rail Research and Innovation Network. From November 2017 to October 2021, Steve was seconded as Director of Strategy and Operations of Birmingham Health Innovation Campus – the University’s innovation district for accelerating health and life sciences business growth in the region.

Alasdair is the Assistant Director for Research Impact and Partnerships at University of Birmingham, supporting both the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and the College of Life and Environmental Sciences.

Alasdair and his team work with key regional, national and international partners to develop academic-industry links and strategic business partnerships with the overall aim of generating positive reputation and impact. Prior to working at the University Alasdair spent 20 years in the automotive sector, working for a number of international OEMs in a number of roles including business planning, marketing and finally as Operations Director.

Craig is Assistant Director in the Research Strategy and Services Division with responsibility for the College of Medical and Dental Sciences.

Craig has a financial background which he commenced in 1996 as an Apprentice in Accounting. Having joined the University in 2000 Craig has undertaken roles including Team Leader in Research Finance, Research Support Partner, Institute Manager, and Head of Administration all supporting the College of Medical and Dental Sciences. More recently Craig has also undertaken the role of Head of Post Award supporting all Colleges across the University.

Craig’s experience has provided him the breadth of knowledge across the full research pathway. Craig has an in depth understanding of research allowing him to work across a variety of stakeholders including PIs, both College and Central Professional Services teams, and external funding bodies. Craig is a specialist in influencing positive process change and implementation of systems to support the academic endeavour.

Richard is the Assistant Director for Research Impact and Partnerships at University of Birmingham, supporting the College of Medical and Dental Sciences.

Richard and his team work with key regional, national and international partners to develop academic-industry links and strategic business partnerships with the overall aim of generating positive reputation and impact. Richard has extensive experience working in the education sector both in international development and strategic business development and has spent a decade with University of Birmingham leading on partnerships with industry in the fields of engineering, robotics, medical and healthcare as well as life sciences.

Xavier is Assistant Director in the Research Strategy and Services Division with responsibility for the College of Social Sciences and College of Arts and Law, and cross-institutional responsibility for European and International funded research.

Xavier leads the Research Strategy and Development, Research Support and Post Award teams, managing the full life-cycle of support for research.

Xavier has over 20 years’ experience in research strategy, development, and administration. He led the University of Birmingham ’s transformation into one of UK HE powerhouses for overseas funded research, bringing his vision and drive to the UK HE sector and West Midlands region. Xavier’s brief later expanded to research development and support, leading the University’s pre-award services - one of the finest in the UK - whilst navigating successfully the impact and deep changes brought by the pandemic and external environment.

Xavier led the development and successful delivery of partnerships with European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) and Germany’s Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM). He also held external roles at Advantage West Midlands and West Midlands in Europe. He currently chairs the Universitas 21 Research Collaboration Group and is a member of the UUKi Horizon Europe task and finish group.

Vickie is the Assistant Director for Research Partnerships and Innovation at University of Birmingham, supporting both the College of Arts and Law and the College of Social Sciences, in addition to deputising for the Director of Research Partnerships and Innovation.

Vickie and her team are focussed on developing and expanding new and existing research partnerships and collaborations, driving the development and delivery of the institution’s Research Impact Strategy. They work with key regional, national and international partners to develop academic-industry links and strategic business partnerships with the overall aim of generating positive reputation and impact. Vickie also leads on the University’s ‘Birmingham Digital Futures’ programme with PwC and Tech She Can, and on the development of a Digital Skills Innovation District for the City.

David is Assistant Director in the Research Strategy and Services Division with responsibility for research systems and data.

In that role he is responsible for leading a team who provide support for the key research systems including Worktribe, Pure and Core Systems, ensuring that the needs of key research stakeholders are met through ongoing system enhancements, the provision of accurate management information to support effective data-based decision making, and the availability of training provision and guidance materials.

David joined the University in 2011 as Head of the Research Support Group, leading the Research Finance, Research Contracts and Governance & Ethics Teams before moving into a specialist research systems and reporting role within Research Support Services in 2021.

Elizabeth is Assistant Director in the Research Strategy and Services and leads on the Research Excellence Framework (REF), the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF), as well as Open Access and Research Policy.

Elizabeth has worked at the University of Birmingham since 1996, managing the RAE2001 and 2008 submissions, and the submissions to REF2014 and 2021. 

She also worked on secondment to HEFCE and then Research England as a REF panel adviser in 2014 and 2021.  Along with other colleagues in the former Research Planning Team, she has joined the Division from Strategic Planning.  Her new role also includes oversight of KEF, Open Research and Research Policy alongside continuing responsibility for REF.

Birgit is Assistant Director in the Research Strategy and Services Division with responsibility for research governance, leading on the areas of research ethics, governance, integrity and culture.

She joined the University as Head of Research Governance & Integrity in 2018 after 11 years as Head of Research Governance at the University of Bristol.

Birgit worked for 20 years in the NHS as a Research Assistant in Surgery, NHS R&D Manager and Trust Innovation Lead. She completed her PhD in the Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine at Glasgow University, looking at Breast Cancer treatment and patient narratives.

Amelia is Assistant Director in the Research Strategy and Services Division with responsiblility for leadership, oversight, and day-to-day guidance on legal and regulatory compliance in the context of research.

Amelia has over 12 years experience of working with research contracts at Birmingham most recently being the Head of Research and Knowledge Exchange Contracts in Research Support Services. In this role she led a large team responsible for the review, drafting and negotiation of over 2500 research and associated contracts a year and in particular was responsible for putting in place overarching structures for risk management of contract negotiation and framework terms to allow more efficient negotiation and delivery of international clinical trials. 

Prior to joining the contracts team Amelia held roles at the University involving working with the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and the University Technology transfer company to identify potential intellectual property generated by the college research portfolio and also as a interdisciplinary research champion aimed to facilitate interdisciplinary research across disciplines of medicine, engineering and science at a time when interdisciplinary research was not promoted or readily funded.