Candidate Statements for ELECTION OF NON-PROFESSORIAL MEMBER OF THE ACADEMIC STAFF TO UNIVERSITY SENATE BY MEMBERS OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY

• Dr Joan Fitzpatrick (School of Social Sciences and Humanities)
• Dr Jamie Kenyon (School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences)
• Dr Jonathan Millett (School of Social Sciences and Humanities)
• Dr Craig Morton (School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering)                     

See below for statements from each candidate. The ballot will be determined by single transferrable vote. Votes close on 11 March 2025 at 5pm.

Candidates' Statements

DR JOAN FITZPATRICK

I joined Loughborough University as a Lecturer in English in 2007 and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2013. As an experienced researcher and teacher with a strong public-engagement profile, I believe that I am in a good position to help guide the University’s academic direction.

My scholarly reputation and influence is international. In 2007 I established a new subfield of Shakespeare Studies with the publication of my monograph Food in Shakespeare (Ashgate). My latest monograph, Receiving the Stranger in Shakespeare: Hospitality and Hostility in the Plays will be published by Routledge in June 2025. This book considers attitudes toward minorities and women in Shakespeare and early-modern culture and explores the contemporary relevance of anxiety toward foreigners. My public engagement has included work with the BBC, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and a piece for Spain’s best selling newspaper EL País.

Since 2017, I have served as a member of the AHRC Peer Review College and attended a number of Review Panels (to decide which projects should receive funding). I currently lead the School's Health Humanities Research Group and was co-lead (with colleagues from the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences) on Loughborough University’s Institute of Advanced Studies 2022-2023 interdisciplinary theme 'Breathe'.

I am currently Undergraduate Admissions Lead for English and so am in a good position to address issues around student recruitment. My past experience as leader of the English Dissertation module (2015-2018) and as Director of Postgraduate Taught Studies (from January 2016 to July 2018) means I am alert to student expectations voiced in feedback including NSS.

DR JAMIE KENYON

As a SL in Sport Management at SSEHS with nearly two decades of HE experience, I am well-positioned to contribute to the Senate's role in regulating and directing the University's work. My extensive involvement in teaching, research, and leadership roles demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the University's processes and sector challenges.

My leadership experience as Programme Leader for BSc Sport Management and various coordinator roles showcases my ability to engage in discussions and implement strategic initiatives. I am committed to maintaining high academic standards, evidenced by teaching awards and positive student feedback, and I now serve as the Academic Integrity Lead for UG Sport within SSEHS.

My research profile, as well as co-leading the University's Sport for Climate Action and Nature Research Cluster, reflects my capacity to contribute to the University's research and strategy agendas. My involvement in funded research projects and collaborations with external organisations demonstrates my ability to support the University's enterprise activities.

My commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident through my involvement in initiatives like Athena Swan and previous employment roles in Widening Participation, which involved mentoring students from diverse backgrounds. I am dedicated to considering issues with awareness of the diversity of the student body and, as the UCU Department Rep. for SSEHS, the staff body.

With a strong commitment to Loughborough University's future success and a strong understanding of its academic landscape, I am prepared to contribute meaningfully to Senate discussions, help implement the University Strategy and uphold high standards of academic governance.

DR JONATHAN MILLETT

I am a Reader in Plant Ecology in the Department of Geography & Environment and have worked in an academic role at Loughborough University for 18 years. Over this time, I have gained a deep understanding of the university’s evolution and academic landscape. My Loughborough career has been dedicated to both research and teaching, contributing to the university’s strategic development and academic excellence.

My commitment to research has been recognised through a University Research Fellowship and, more recently, a prestigious Royal Society Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowship. My dedication to high-quality teaching was acknowledged through a University Research-Informed Teaching Award. I engage widely at both national and international levels, collaborating globally in research, holding external examining roles for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and contributing to biodiversity policy at a national level.

With experience in academic governance, mentorship, and external engagement, I am well positioned to contribute to Senate’s role in shaping the University’s academic direction. I recognise the challenges facing higher education, particularly in research funding, open scholarship, and maintaining excellence in teaching and student experience. I am particularly interested in approaches for maintaining both staff wellbeing and academic standards in a challenging higher education environment.

If elected, I will bring a constructive, research-informed perspective to Senate discussions, champion academic integrity and excellence.

DR CRAIG MORTON  

Over my seven years at the university, I have seen senior colleagues give up their time to pursue wider activities that benefit the collective community. These activities often go unheralded but are essential for the smooth running of the institution. As I transition into a mid-career phase, it is necessary for me to step-up and contribute to such activities to both share the burden and assist in developing a positive future for Loughborough.

As a member of senate, I would keep to the following objectives to guide my actions:

• Support in the development and implementation of the University Strategy, ensure consistency in effort and commitment to the longer-term plan

• Act as a conduit between front-line staff and central management, bringing to life the day-to-day activities in the schools and figuring out how to harmonise policies and procedures across different parts of the institution

• Create transparent decision making that is well evidenced and documented, holding ourselves to high-standards in terms of professional conduct

• Strive for advancements in academic practice across teaching, research, and enterprise activities to ensure our institution remains at the forefront of the sector