Contributors

Meg Meredith

PhD Candidate, School of English, University of Sheffield

PhD Candidate, School of English, University of Sheffield Meg studies how soil is represented in literature, and what this tells us about our relationship with the land and our wider environment. Part of her current research involves speculating what the East Yorkshire landscape might look like in the future, based on what we know about the soil and using future climate projections.

Marissa J Betts

Senior Research Fellow in Earth Science, University of New England

Senior Research Fellow in Earth Science, University of New England Marissa J Betts is a DECRA-funded Senior Research Fellow in Earth Science at the University of New England in Armidale, Australia. She specialises in sedimentary geology and invertebrate palaeontology, with a focus on some of the earliest complex skeletons in the fossil record. Her research primarily investigates the early Cambrian Period (approximately 538–509 million years ago). Marissa works both in the ‘nuts and bolts’ of palaeontology—identifying, describing, and interpreting fossils—and their broader applications to geological questions. Her research aids in dating and correlating rock formations globally, interpreting past environments, reconstructing ancient continental plates, and refining the geological timescale. She is currently the Secretary of the International Subcommission on Cambrian Stratigraphy. Marissa has been recognised as an STA Superstar of STEM, NSW Young Tall Poppy, A.H. Voisey Medalist, and Walter Howchin Medalist. She also directed the award-winning film Rola[Stone] about the inseparable connection between geology, landscape and culture on Anaiwan Country in NSW.

Mawuli Dzodzomenyo

Associate Professor in Infectious Diseases (School of Public Health), University of Ghana

Associate Professor in Infectious Diseases (School of Public Health), University of Ghana Professor Dzodzomenyo's research focuses on the genetic basis of infectious diseases particularly polymorphisms in genes encoding for molecules and enzymes and their association with severity of diseases with emphasis on malaria and other vector-borne diseases. He also works on assessing morbidity and mortality due to common parasites such as malaria, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis and other geohelminths in endemic populations in developing countries and the design of appropriate interventions to promote health, with a particular focus on children. Prof Dzodzomenyo's work also includes genotyping using genetic markers to reveal the presence of mutations for assessing resistance to drugs. More recently, his work has also focused on determining occupational health risks among waste handlers and community members with a focus on helminth infections and other bacterial infections in peri-urban environments. Prof Dzodzomenyo also works currently on climate change adaptation to health issues and assessing health workforce capacity in delivering healthcare in developing countries. Prof Dzodzomenyo teaches Microbiology, Environmental Health and Sanitation, Global Climate Change and Health Effects, Health Aspects of Housing and Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases of Global Health Significance, among many other courses.

Madalyn J. Mann

PhD Candidate, Department of English and Related Literature, University of York, University of York

PhD Candidate, Department of English and Related Literature, University of York, University of York Madalyn Mann is an interdisciplinary researcher based in York, England. Her research interests revolve around the intersection of race, gender, politics and education. Madalyn is a PhD candidate at the University of York's Department of English and Related Literature, where her thesis analyzes the United States governments simultaneous weaponization of education against Native American and African American children from 1860-1920. Her practice-based PhD focuses on the different acts of legislation passed to legally prevent African American children from obtaining an education and how similar legislation assisted the United States government in manipulating Native American children's education. Madalyns work also examines the philosophies of education reformists of the period and their efforts. Madalyn holds a BA (hons) in English Literature from Illinois State University and an MA in English and American Literature from the University of Kent.

Madeleine Burgess

PhD Candidate in History, Bangor University

PhD Candidate in History, Bangor University My research interests encompasses cultural studies in medieval Britain (1066-1535). For my PhD thesis, I am examining the cultural significance of church bells in medieval England, investigating their uses, soundscape, and creation with an interdisciplinary focus. This was initially investigated as a pilot study during my Master's dissertation.

Maria Kaparou

Lecturer in Education, University of Southampton

Lecturer in Education, University of Southampton Dr Maria Kaparou is a Lecturer in Education at Southampton Education School. Maria is an Education professional with experience in Higher Education (HE) in England, Greece, Asia and the United Arab Emirates. Maria has got Education background and she has taught education programmes overseas at secondary level and FE colleges whilst she has management and leadership experience in the private education sector. Maria is an active researcher and her main research interests include: educational leadership and management, particularly focused on instructional leadership (Leadership for Learning/ Managing Teaching and Learning); education policy; school improvement in schools in challenging contexts; research in Multi-academy Trusts (MATs); international and comparative education; diversity and leadership. Maria is developing a record of publications and successful applications (jointly with other colleagues) for research grants in England and internationally, such as, Ambition School Leadership (ASL) / Ambition Institute funded project (2018). The Ambition Institute research report on "School improvement in challenging contexts: insights from ten new headteachers" is available at: https://www.ambition.org.uk/research-and-insight/school-improvement-challenging-contexts/ (Downey, C., Burg, D., Kaparou, M. and Kelly, A., 2019). Also, Maria has been involved in other projects focused: on Instructional Leadership and school improvement (University of Southampton funded project, 2016); Leadership preparation for FE college principals (BELMAS Research Grant, 2014-2015); School leadership theories and the Malaysia Education Blueprint (Fundamental Research Grant FRGS by the Ministry of Higher Education in Malaysia (2015); a School impacting a nation: bringing creativity and innovation into primary education, a Research project conducted for Australia Malaysia Institute (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2015); Leading international students’ communities of learning (SEDA Research Grant 2014-2015). Maria has taught University programmes which have a global outlook: the University of Southampton, University of Nottingham and the University of Warwick. She has significant experience within the discipline of education and has led/taught a range of research-informed and theory-driven modules at undergraduate and postgraduate programme level in Social Sciences programmes of Higher Education (HE), whilst she has got a successful record of PhD student submissions. Maria supervises PhD students in the field of leadership and management in education settings in the UK as well as within the international context (e.g., England, Kuwait, Oman, Malaysia). The calibre of Maria’s teaching has been independently verified. In 2013, Maria received a University of Warwick Award for Teaching Excellence in Higher Education for her innovative teaching methods in Higher Education, whilst in 2022 she has been nominated for an Academic Award as 'the most engaging lecturer' (SUSU, 2022). Maria currently holds the role of Employability Lead of Southampton Education School, devising the employability strategy for the School aligned to the institutional strategy; supporting institution wide education strategy and change regarding Employability. In the past she was involved in the leadership teams of undergraduate and masters level programmes. Team leadership achievements include nominations for: i) a Vice-Chancellor’s Award as part of The Student Experience category (2022) given the excellent support to MSc students and significant growth of a Masters programme; as well as, ii) a Vice-Chancellors Awards nomination (2018) for good leadership/ quality of work in the BSc (Hons) programmes, recognising the commitment of the leadership and teaching teams in the Education programmes offered at Southampton Education School.