MEET TRACY

AFHEA, PhD, MA, BA(Hons)

For the past 15 years+, I’ve been helping students understand what it’s like studying at university, and worked with academics to improve student success rates. Much of what I know about learning (and teaching) effectively, I've picked up from raising kids and other parts of my life, like breakdancing and aerial. I love seeing students empowered to manage their time, manage their life and approach their assignments with a different mindset and so much more lightness.
 
My friend Alex and I decided we wanted to help more people, so we are putting together a series of free webinars and paid online courses for prospective and current students. We are about to open the doors for our 'Understand Uni Life' course to help people prepare for University. This includes finding the right course, going through Clearing, settling in, making friends, managing your time, budgets and independence - and prioritising the overwhelming amount of information that you will receive at the start of your degree.
 
We can help you become a successful student.

MEET ALEX

FHEA, PhD, MRes, PGCE, BSc(Hons)

I'm dedicated to helping you succeed in your studies at university. A solid qualification like a degree can open a wide-range of doors for you. But more than that, your journey to graduation should be filled with varied and insightful experiences that challenge you to grow. These can be academic and extracurricular. I specialise in academic support around writing, study skills, exams and assessments, but I also believe in providing holistic support - if there are other concerns you have about your time at university I will help you find the most appropriate support.

I have a varied research background in neuroscience, biology, psychology, and educational research. I studied a joint honours degree in Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Manchester, followed by a Research Masters in Neuroscience where I learnt many practical approaches related to genetic engineering. I took this further with a research technician role in molecular and cell biology in infection, inflammation and immunity. My PhD was on the neurobiology of aimed limb movements, and I worked as a post-doc on a drug discovery project. More recently I have researched an published in the field of education, looking at the development of digital literacies and student-staff partnerships. This broad background, spanning a range of disciplines, means I understand how different disciplines create and communicate knowledge, meaning I can support students from a number of different degrees.

In 2013, I began work as a study skills adviser, supporting students with academic writing, study skills, and preparation for exams and assessments. I have since moved into supporting student and staff development of digital literacies - including how universities deal with use of generative Artificial Intelligence in teaching and assignment submission. I currently work part-time as programme lead for the Postgraduate Certificate of Academic and Professional Practice, where I support the educational development of new lecturers.