About
As Head of Research Information and Systems at the University of Southampton, I provide institutional leadership for REF preparation and research systems, leading an expert team that delivers high-quality insights, analysis, and accessible research communication through Re:action magazine.
I am the University’s institutional lead for REF, with responsibility for shaping strategy, governance, systems, and processes to support a high-quality, inclusive, and robust submission. I work in close partnership with academic and professional services colleagues, leading collaborative activity to ensure fairness, transparency, and confidence in REF-related decision-making.
Research
Research interests
- Reading
- Eye movements
- Web-environments
- Hyperlinks
- Non-linear text
Current research
My main research interest is to investigate how we read on the Web and the impact of hyperlinks. My recent work explores the impact of hyperlinks on reading behaviour and the impact of navigation and clicking on reading and comprehension.
My research is often interdisciplinary in nature and involves psychology and computer science, focusing on aspects of attention, information processing and human computer interaction. I have used eye movements as a methodology to understand how we process information on the Web, building upon years of eye movements and reading literature.
Publications
Teaching
I have previously taught on these undergraduate/MSc psychology modules:
- Research Methods and Data Analysis I
- Research Methods and Data Analysis II
- Statistical Programming in R
- Applied Research Methods (ARM): Planning & Designing Research
- Introduction to SPSS for postgraduates
I have run short courses on:
- Creating Eye-Tracking Experiment
- Analysing Eye-Tracking Data
I have also supervised a number of 3rd year project students who were interested in eye movements and reading.
External roles and responsibilities
Biography
In my current professional services role as Head of Research Information and Systems, I manage and influence the research performance landscape of the University of Southampton.
I was critical to the University’s successful Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) submission. I worked closely with every academic School to generate the best reflection of our research. The REF submission provides the University with QR funding, which constitutes the majority of funding for research in UK HEIs. As such, it is very important!
My current role is key to developing strategies and processes for REF 2029.
I am from a Data Science background with an emphasis on complex datasets and quantitative statistical analysis. My data skills include the ability to manipulate data and I have the statistical knowledge to understand and interpret data. These skills come from my academic background, where I completed a MSc and PhD and have published in high-impact journals. I took the things I loved from completing my PhD, the data and project management, and continued it into my current role.