Contact Us
The University Graduate School (UGS) team are here to help you. For any questions you have about Westmere House or related to your postgraduate experience, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the University Graduate School team via our email address, graduateschool@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
Please note unfortunately we are unable to assist with PG Admissions queries. If you have any queries regarding the admissions process at the University, please see the Postgraduate Admissions FAQs. If you need to contact the University about your application please use the Postgraduate applicants query form. If you need to contact your College/School you can find contact details via the Our Colleges webpage.
University Graduate School
Tara Wittin - Head of University Graduate School
Contact Details:
Email: T.Wittin@bham.ac.uk
I am responsible for leading and managing the University Graduate School Team. This includes working closely with the Dean of Postgraduates and cross-University liaison with academic and professional service colleagues of all levels to ensure a high quality PGR & PGT student experience.
Dr Elizabeth O'Connor - Postgraduate Community Engagement Manager
Contact details:
Email: e.r.oconnor@bham.ac.uk
My role is focused on building a multidisciplinary and inclusive postgraduate community. I develop and facilitate engagement and wellbeing activities for PGRs. This includes leading the University Graduate School’s flagship PGR events such as the Annual Postgraduate Research Festival, the Three-Minute Thesis and the Images of Research competitions.
Liam Knight - Postgraduate Community Engagement Officer
Contact Details:
Email: l.j.l.knight@bham.ac.uk
I organise and oversee the programme of events and activities the Graduate School puts on for PGTs, building a multidisciplinary and inclusive community. I am always interested in hearing your ideas for events and workshops and would really love to hear from you if you are a postgraduate looking to set up and lead a group or activity for PGTs.
Dr Ella Hawkins - PGR Exhibitions Officer
Contact details:
Email: E.K.Hawkins@bham.ac.uk
I am responsible for establishing a programme of exhibitions that will showcase the research of PGRs across the University of Birmingham. My role involves developing exhibition themes, supporting PGR contributors, designing exhibition materials, and managing all the logistical and promotional aspects of each installation.
Lucy Batten - Data Officer
Contact details:
Email: l.j.batten@bham.ac.uk
As Data Officer I support the University Graduate School team with their data and reporting needs. I lead on the PGR Annual Programme Review, and do the qualitative analysis of responses to the PRES and PTES surveys. I also monitor progress on the Race Equality Charter impact measures and UGS community engagement and am Secretary to the Graduate Research Board.
Victoria Upton - University Graduate School Administrator
Contact details:
Email: V.Upton@bham.ac.uk
I provide clerical support to the Dean of Postgraduates and Head of UGS. I am responsible for the day to day administration and co-ordination of UGS and PGCARMS, alongside the PGR Administrative Assistant. I also support the UGS team as a whole by managing the school’s budgets and assisting in general office activities.
Lara Callaghan - Postgraduate Administrative Assistant
Contact details:
Email: l.i.callaghan@bham.ac.uk
I provide administrative support for the UGS, including supporting and promoting community engagement activities and assisting with PGCARMS. I also support the PG Careers Advisory team within UGS to support PGR career activities.
Careers Service
Anna Flatt - PGT Careers Adviser
Contact details:
Email: a.l.flatt@bham.ac.uk
As PGT Careers Adviser, I review and develop the Careers Network provision for Postgraduate Taught students, including one-to-one guidance, group workshops and the online learning environment. I also provide one-to-one careers guidance for PGT students.
Dr Holly Prescott - PGR Careers Adviser
Contact details:
Email: H.Prescott@bham.ac.uk
I look after the planning, organisation, delivery and evaluation of careers support activities and resources especially for Postgraduate Researchers. The aim of my service is to help support PGRs in making decisions about their future career, exploring their career options and making effective applications. This includes running workshops at Westmere and around the University, as well as online resources and one-to-one support.
Alice Kinghorn - PGR External Engagement Project Officer
Contact details:
Email: a.kinghorn@bham.ac.uk
I work to establish relationships with employers in sectors of interest to PGRs and build opportunities for PGRs to interact with employers throughout their research.
Library Services
Dr Georgina Hardy- PGR Development Officer
Contact details:
Email: g.c.hardy@bham.ac.uk
My role, based in the Research Skills Team in Library Services, is to co-ordinate and deliver development activities and workshops for postgraduate researchers (PGR). I support PGRs in their development of a wide range of research and transferable skills and facilitate workshops such as Development Needs Analysis, Reading and Note-making, Academic Writing, Viva Preparation, and Productivity.
Postgraduate Senior Leadership
Professor Duncan Shepherd - Dean of Postgraduates
Contact details:
Email: d.e.shepherd@bham.ac.uk
As Dean I am the University’s senior academic lead responsible for all postgraduate matters, both postgraduate taught and postgraduate research.
Professor Michael Hand - Director of Postgraduates (PGR)
Contact details:
Email: M.Hand@bham.ac.uk
As Director of Postgraduates (PGR), I am responsible for supporting and developing the PGR community. I represent the interests of PGRs in university policy-making and work closely with College PGR leads to ensure that we offer a high-quality PGR experience.
Professor Graham Timmins - Director of Postgraduates (PGT)
Contact details:
Email: G.Timmins@bham.ac.uk
My role as Director of Postgraduates (PGT) is to work with Colleges, Student Services and the Student Guild to promote the PGT student experience at the University of Birmingham, to integrate the PGT student community across the university campus and around the world, to support interaction with the wider PG community in the University Graduate School, and to represent PGT student interests and needs at senior level within the university.