Ruth joined Aston in 2020 following a distinguished career as a qualified biologist in academia and working as a lecturer and senior lecturer in environmental Sciences, before taking on senior leadership posts in academic practice at the Universities of Warwick and Salford.

During this time, she was responsible for leading a number of transformational projects designed to enhance learning, teaching and the student experience, before joining the University of Derby in 2010, where she was the Dean of Learning Enhancement and Innovation, and – then most recently – the Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor for Teaching, Learning and Academic Governance.