Noel-Ann Bradshaw
Deputy Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Science
University of Greenwich
How does it feel to be a woman in leadership here in Greenwich?I am really enjoying this role. Greenwich is a great place to work and we have some excellent women role models in our senior leadership team. This acceptance of women leaders permeates the organisation which I feel empowers all women working at Greenwich to raise their aspirations to further their careers. Personally, I have been part of some personal developmental work for women in FES and hope to do more of this in the future.
Tell us about your career journey, and how you ended up at Greenwich.
This is a long story! 26 years ago I was living on a council estate in Brixton with four young children. I had enjoyed mathematics at school but had been told I was not suitable to study it at university, so I had studied Catering Management instead. Because of a back injury I couldn’t work in catering so I stayed at home to look after my children. As a result of helping with my children’s homework, I realised I still loved maths. I started training to become an adult numeracy teacher. My tutor suggested I do a degree, so I approached Greenwich as they were my nearest university. I did their entrance test (equivalent to A-level maths) and wonderfully they accepted me. I ended up staying on as a PhD student and later became a Senior lecturer and Principal Lecturer with responsibility for Admissions and New Arrivals. When the new faculties were formed I was appointed as Director of Employability for FACH (which became FLAS).
This role brought me into contact with various employers and I ended up leaving Greenwich in 2018 to work in industry as a Senior Data Scientist after a job offer I couldn’t refuse. I wanted to see what industry was like. However I missed HE and, after getting a professional doctorate in mathematics education, I went to work as Head of School Computing and Digital Media at London Met. I had stayed in touch with colleagues at Greenwich and was alerted to some new roles being advertised. When I saw the role of Deputy Dean for FES I applied as it brought together a number of my different skills and background. As I prepared for the interview and read the new University strategy, I was even more keen to come back to Greenwich and I am delighted to be working here in this capacity.
What tips would you give to the women at Greenwich today? Any top tips to empower women in the University of Greenwich community?
My tips would be to take the opportunities you are given. Obviously, we can’t do everything but by taking opportunities when I was a PhD student and junior member of staff I wouldn’t be where I am now. If you don’t apply for things you won’t get them and the act of applying often shows you what you really want, can do and enjoy. My other tip to younger women would be to find out about how perimenopause could affect them so you are prepared!