The Research and Knowledge Exchange (RKE) department is responsible for the University’s strategy around impactful, collaborative, excellent and sustainable research.
Supporting all aspects of research grant applications and contract negotiation.
We work with our academics in several cross-functional ways, including:
- Identifying suitable funding opportunities for grants and advising on all aspects of the application process
- Providing high-quality training for researchers at all career stages
- Contributing to research strategy and policy at university and school level
- Implementing and managing research management systems
- Providing a ‘service hub’ of knowledge and expertise on research matters.
Contact Us
- Leadership Team
Professor Simon Green – Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)
c/o Julie Goodwin - j.goodwin1@aston.ac.uk
Responsible for the University’s strategy around impactful, collaborative, excellent and sustainable research, as well as leading preparations for the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). Also serving on the Executive Management Group of Midlands Innovation, which brings together Aston, Birmingham, Cranfield, Keele, Leicester, Loughborough, Nottingham and Warwick Universities.Mark Smith – Executive Director of Business Engagement
c/o Sharon Benzing - s.a.benzing@aston.ac.uk
Holds strategic responsibility for all business engagement activities and showcases the commercial benefits of working with Aston to business, professional and public sector organisations. This includes Aston’s business growth programmes, student placements, knowledge transfer partnerships (KTPs), and other initiatives. Mark also oversees the development of degree apprenticeship programmes, where students work and study over the course of their degree gaining the exact skills their employer needs.Dr Angela Jeffery - Director of Strategic Regional Projects
a.jeffery@aston.ac.uk
Leading on Regional engagement and strategy, including the development of Aston’s Civic University Agreement, and coordinating strategic projects. Also working closely with our strategic partners, Citizens UK and the Aston Villa Foundation as well as Aston University staff such as the College Associate Deans for Public Engagement and other teams across the university including Centre for Growth, CREME, Student Recruitment and Outreach, Business Support projects, Estates, Go Green champions, Careers & Placements, the Students Union and DARO.John Richards – Director of Knowledge Exchange
J.E.Richards@aston.ac.uk | 0121 204 4254
Working closely with colleagues in the the Research and Knowledge Exchange Office to facilitate the strategic direction of the department to deliver knowledge exchange activities, including Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and Intellectual Property.Rebecca Stokes - Director of Research Strategy, Funding and Impact
r.stokes2@aston.ac.uk | 0121 204 3099
Leading the RKE team with responsibility for research funding, impact, research systems and REF. We work closely with colleagues in other RKE teams (Knowledge Exchange, Research Integrity, Graduate School, International, Regional) and Professional Services (particularly Finance, Libraries, International, Philanthropy, and Office of the General Council), to support the work of academics and researchers.Professor Phil Mizen - Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor Researcher Development and Dean of the Graduate School
p.mizen@aston.ac.uk | 0121 204 3297
Leading the Aston Graduate School and Researcher Development teams to support and deliver excellence in the next generation of postgraduate and early career researchers. Chair of the Graduate School Management Committee and university lead for the Human Resource Excellence in Research Award.Professor Jo Lumsden Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor Research Integrity:
lumsdenj@aston.ac.uk |
Provides academic leadership and has primary responsibility for research ethics and integrity across the University. Chair of the University Research Integrity and Ethics Committee (URIEC). Leads and oversees process for investigation of research misconduct.- Knowledge Exchange
Martin May – Knowledge Transfer Partnership Manager
M.R.May@aston.ac.uk
Leading the work with organisations to help them benefit from the research and knowledge transfer activities carried out at Aston University. This includes business development activities, adopting new technologies or developing new products or processes, and working on funding applications.Emily Wakefield - Knowledge Transfer Partnership Manager
e.l.wakefield@aston.ac.uk
Leading the work with organisations to help them benefit from the research and knowledge transfer activities carried out at Aston University. This includes business development activities, adopting new technologies or developing new products or processes, working on funding applications and project management.Lana Amosova - Knowledge Transfer Partnership Operations Manager
l.amosova@aston.ac.uk
Leading the administrative support of Aston University’s KTP portfolio. Working closely with colleagues to provide an efficient and customer-focused service to company partners, academic staff, KTP Associates, KTP Advisors and Innovate UK.Samuel Burrows - Knowledge Transfer Partnership Operations Coordinator
s.burrows4@aston.ac.uk
Providing administrative support of Aston University’s KTP portfolio. Working closely with colleagues to provide an efficient and customer-focused service to company partners, academic staff, KTP Associates, KTP Advisors and Innovate UK.Luke Southan - Technology Transfer Manager
l.southan@aston.ac.uk
Supporting the College of Health and Life Sciences with all aspects of translational research working closely to define projects, apply for funding, ensure intellectual property protection and spinout company creation and support.Martina Pasini - Business Development Co-Ordinator
m.pasini@aston.ac.uk
Supporting the business development team to identify and build new business development opportunities, maximize the impact of existing partnerships, and work with various aspects of translational research.Zaheda Teladia – Business Development Manager, College of Business and Social Sciences
z.teladia1@aston.ac.uk
Identifying and building mutually beneficial partnerships between academics and companies across a broad range of programmes including collaborative R&D and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.Andrea Fotticchia – Business Development Manager, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
a.fotticchia@aston.ac.uk
Identifying and building mutually beneficial partnerships between academics and companies across a broad range of programmes including collaborative R&D and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.Sinziana Irimia – Business Development Manager, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
s.irimia@aston.ac.uk
Identifying and building mutually beneficial partnerships between academics and companies across a broad range of programmes including collaborative R&D and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.Matthew Vassey – Business Development Manager, College of Health and Life Sciences
m.vassey@aston.ac.uk
Identifying and building mutually beneficial partnerships between academics and companies across a broad range of programmes including collaborative R&D and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.- Research
Paul Knobbs - International Research Manager
P.R.Knobbs@aston.ac.uk | 0121 204 3000
Responsible for supporting the development of international research projects submitted to a range of funding sources, such as the EU programmes, Newton and GCRF.Dr Purbani Chakrabarti - Strategic Funding Manager (College of Engineering and Physical Sciences)
p.chakrabarti@aston.ac.uk | 0121 204 4826
Developing and implementing a strategic approach to research development in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS). Supporting academics to develop high-quality grant funding applications.Ronni Littlewood - Strategic Funding Manager (College of Business and Social Sciences)
v.littlewood@aston.ac.uk | 0121 204 3814
Developing and implementing a strategic approach to grant capture in the College of Health and Life Sciences. Supporting academics to develop high-quality research funding applications.Dr Jen Whale - Strategic Funding Manager (College of Health and Life Sciences)
j.whale1@aston.ac.uk | 0121 204 3892
Developing and implementing a strategic approach to grant capture in the College of Health and Life Sciences (HLS). Supporting academics to develop high-quality research funding applications.Kevin O'Reilly - Awards and Contracts Specialist
k.d.oreilly@aston.ac.uk | 0121 204 4241Dr Karina Tveen-Jensen - Grants and Contracts Officer (College of Health and Life Sciences)
k.tveen-jensen@aston.ac.uk | 0121 204 5020
Assisting academics with submission if applications for research funding, reporting on applications and awards, and drafting and negotiating contracts for successful funding applications in the College of Health and Life Sciences (HLS).Suzie Hayman - Grants and Contracts Officer (College of Business and Social Sciences)
s.hayman1@aston.ac.uk | 0121 204 4716
Assisting academics with submission of applications for research funding, reporting on applications and awards, and setting up contracts for successful funding applications in the College of Business Social Sciences (BSS).Dr Angels Odena - Grants and Contracts Officer (College of Engineering and Physical Sciences) {Maternity Leave}
a.odena@aston.ac.uk
Assisting academics with submission of applications for research funding, reporting on applications and awards, and setting up contracts for successful funding applications in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences.Liz Fawcett - University Impact Manager
l.fawcett@aston.ac.uk | 0121 204 4871
Advising researchers and facilitating training for their planning of routes to impact for beneficiaries beyond Aston, and their evidencing of the impacts achieved. Also facilitating the reporting of impacts arising from Aston research, including for statutory exercises such as the Research Excellence Framework.James Crawford - Impact Officer
j.crawford2@aston.ac.uk | 0121 204 3208
Advising researchers and facilitating training for their planning of routes to impact for beneficiaries beyond Aston, and their evidencing of the impacts achieved. Also facilitating the reporting of impacts arising from Aston research, including for statutory exercises such as the Research Excellence Framework.Research and Information and Systems Manager (Vacant)
Daniel Hayes - Research Officer
d.hayes@aston.ac.uk | 0121 204 3728
Providing administrative support and data analysis to the RKE team. Secretary to University Research Committee.- Research Integrity
Becky Case - Research Ethics, Integrity and Governance Manager
r.case@aston.ac.ukOversees the Aston University Research Integrity Office (AURIO), including the development, implementation and awareness raising of the University's policies in respect of research ethics, research integrity, open science and the Human Tissue Act. Designated Individual for the Human Tissue Act licence.
Matt Richards - Research Integrity Officer
m.richards3@aston.ac.uk
First point of contact for queries relating to research governance, integrity and human tissue work. Leads on study support for research involving the NHS for which Aston is sponsor. Secretary to University Research Integrity and Ethics Committee (URIEC) and HTA Oversight Group.Hannah Smart - Research Ethics Officer:
h.smart1@aston.ac.uk
Oversees administration of all three college research ethics committees (CRECs) at Aston, including providing guidance and support for applicants, reviewers, and Chairs. First point of contact for College level research ethics applications and queries relating to ethics approval.- Graduate School
Researcher Development Team:
Professor Phil Mizen – Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor Researcher Development and Dean of the Graduate School
p.mizen@aston.ac.uk | 0121 204 3297
Leading the Aston Graduate School and Researcher Development teams to support and deliver excellence in the next generation of postgraduate and early career researchers. Chair of the Graduate School Management Committee and university lead for the Human Resource Excellence in Research Award.Dr Fatosh Eren Bilgen – Researcher Development Advisor
f.erenbilgen@aston.ac.uk | 0121 204 4609
Designing and delivering training sessions and development activities for postgraduate and early career researchers; coordinating the Graduate School’s annual researcher training programme and PGR inductions.Dr Eleni Tseligka – Professional Development Advisor for Research
e.tseligka@aston.ac.uk
Programme Leader for Early Career Researcher (ECR) TrainingSupport and Administration:
Farat Ara – PGR Administration Manager
f.ara@aston.ac.uk | 0121 204 3501
Leading the Postgraduate Research (PGR) Administration team within the Graduate School. The team is responsible for operational management of the postgraduate research degree lifecycle, from enquiry through to award, and supports all PGR applicants, current students and supervisors.PGR Admissions:
Jennifer Sutherland Clothier – Programme Support Officer
j.sutherlandclothier@aston.ac.ukStephen Baker – PGR Admissions/Bursaries Officer
s.baker@aston.ac.uk | 0121 204 5246
Supporting Postgraduate Research applicants from initial enquiry to application and enrolment. Supporting supervisors to select suitable applicants and liaising with the Colleges in relation to funding for research projects.Joanne Thorpe – DBA Admissions and Programme Support Officer
j.thorpe@aston.ac.uk
Managing the admissions processes for the DBA Programme and supporting current DBA students.PGR Progression:
Caroline Brocklebank – PGR Progression/ Completion Officer
c.brocklebank@aston.ac.uk | 0121 204 4154
Administration of all aspects relating to progression/completion for postgraduate research degree programmes.Catherine Jarrett – PGR Progression/ Completion Officer
c.jarrett2@aston.ac.uk | 0121 204 3004
Administration of the progression of postgraduate research students.Abdul Mumin – Programme Support Officer
a.mumin2@aston.ac.uk
General administrative support within Aston Graduate School and supporting the PGR research environment.
Midlands Innovation Shared Facilities
We are a member of Midlands Innovation, a world-class research and innovation partnership, combining the collective excellence of leading universities in the heart of the UK. The Midlands Innovation equipment catalogue facilitates equipment sharing between its research-intensive universities, with a repository of all equipment available at each member institution. Discover the research facilities you can access as part of this consortium here.
Go to Midlands Innovation equipment catalogue