OU staff awarded for Best Support for Research

Creating a ‘research ecosystem’

Dr Alessandra Marino is Senior Research Manager (International Development). Her ethos and proactive strategy for supporting bids and for the creation of internal and external networks, have benefitted both the OU’s International Development and Inclusive Innovation priority research area and the OU as whole.

Since her arrival, Alessandra has helped to create a community of scholars - a ‘research ecosystem’, where she is the point of contact for: co-ordinating bids, offering expert feedback, detailed budget advice, and professional liaison with (inter)national partners. Her approach has translated into greater grant capture.

Watch the video to hear more about Alessandra Marino's work:

Supporting scholarly work

Diane Ford is Manager of eSTEeM, the STEM Faculty Scholarship and Innovation Centre, where she facilitates and organises the support of educational research on teaching and learning. The establishment of eSTEeM eight years ago, and its well-established track record of practitioner-led scholarship, are testament to Diane’s superb organisational skills and her unparalleled understanding of the role of evidence-based teaching in delivering a quality student experience.

Diane has a strong and insightful understanding of the context in which she works and uses her abilities to empower individuals to initiate and complete scholarly work that enhances teaching and learning in STEM.