UKCGE Annual General Meeting 2024

Until recently, Karen Clegg led the researcher development function at the University of York where she was responsible for: the design and facilitation of professional development interventions for researchers (PGRs, fellows and academic staff); the creation of strategy and implementation of policy and support for public engagement (3MT, Falling Walls) and knowledge exchange (Enterprise Fellowships). 

Karen is now co-director of the £4.6million, four year Research England funded Next Generation Research SuperVision Project (RSVP) designed to transform the culture and practice of research supervision. Karen is well connected in the sector and is an elected member of the BBSRC People and Talent Strategy Advisory Panel, a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a trained coach and an accomplished conference speaker.

Karen joined the UKCGE Executive Committee in July 2020 and was re-elected in March 2024.

Kay Guccione is Head of Research Culture and Researcher Development at the University of Glasgow, where she leads a dynamic team of 18 development specialists, culture experts and PGR interns to deliver a complex portfolio of work. Kay is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a National Teaching Fellow, both of which were awarded for strategic impact in postgraduate education. Recent projects include the Hidden Curriculum in Doctoral Education (Palgrave Macmillan), the Value of the Doctorate (research articles), Coaching and Mentoring for Academic Development (Emerald), Thriving in Part-Time Doctoral Study (Routledge), and the ​‘Supervising PhDs’ blog.

Dr Rebekah Smith McGloin is Director of Research Culture and Environment and Director of the Doctoral School at Nottingham Trent University. She provides strategic leadership in the area of inclusive research culture, environment and doctoral education, drawing on 18 years of experience. She is currently principal investigator on two major projects in the field of inclusive doctoral education; the Universities for Nottingham Co(l)laboratory Research Hub and Equity in Doctoral Education through Partnership and Innovation (EDEPI). She was a member of the UKRI Bioscience Skills and Careers Strategy Panel (2015–2022) and an expert panel reviewer for the UK Concordat for Researchers (2019). Her research interests lie in higher education management, postgraduate research student experience, widening participation and access to higher education.