Dr Stephanie Wright

Learning Technologist

I have been a member of the University of Southampton community for a long time, having studied for my undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate in the archaeology department. In 2022, I graduated with a PhD in osteoarchaeology. For my thesis I adopted an interdisciplinary approach, using data collected from human skeletal remains, combined with relevant archaeological and historical research, to create osteobiographies. These osteobiographies explored the concepts of impairment and disability in Roman Britain.

Disability has been an important theme to me for as long as I can remember, particularly as I have a disabled sibling. This certainly inspired my research and has made me passionate about accessibility and inclusion. Whilst studying for my PhD, I supported students accessing university education as a Learning Support Assistant working for Student Disability and Wellbeing.

Whilst sharing my research at a conference event, I was asked to describe my slides for attendees with visual impairments. It was challenging to describe bone specimens in a time effective and clear way. I was able to address this issue with the support of the ‘Stories from Bone’ project group, an interdisciplinary academic network composed of members from the bioengineering and osteoarchaeology departments. We developed 3D printed models of bone specimens with evident impairments, designed to be used as tactile aids. This was my first foray into the world of using technology to improve the accessibility of research. The models were presented at various conferences and outreach events, the feedback from which formed the basis of an open access publication entitled ‘Getting to grips with 3D printed bones: Using 3D models as ‘diagrams’ to improve accessibility of palaeopathology’.

I have continued to support students through several job roles. Before starting at iSolutions, I was working for the library service at the Univeristy of Southampton, most recently as a Library Site Supervisor based at the National Oceanographic Library, where I helped staff and visitors to access library resources. I have also gained considerable teaching experience in both the archaeology and ancient history departments at UoS. In 2022, I was nominated for a Doctoral College Director’s Award for an exceptional contribution to teaching and learning at UoS. I have also achieved the status of Associate Fellow under the Advance HE accreditation scheme.

I have recently transitioned into the Digital Learning team in iSolutions. I am working with the Blackboard Ultra Migration Project, where I facilitate Staff Development Sessions and 1-2-1 support for academics who need help transferring their online resources onto the upgraded Blackboard site.