AECC University College Appoints Head of Research to Strengthen Research Profile

AECC University College (AECC UC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Julie Northam as Head of Research.

In this new role, Julie will lead the University College’s research strategy and will work to build and develop infrastructure to support research and knowledge exchange across the institution. She is supported by the University College’s new Research and Knowledge Exchange Manager, Lisa Andrews.

Julie joins AECC UC from Bournemouth University, where she worked for almost 20 years – most recently as Head of Research, Development and Support. Her department at the University supported up to 800 researchers with their research and knowledge exchange activity.

Growing Research Culture 

At AECC UC, Julie is responsible for leading the development of an institutional research culture that enables staff and students to reach their research potential, developing strategic research themes, and chairing the University College’s Research and Innovation Committee.

The new research team recently led a research strategy event for the AECC School of Chiropractic involving internal and external stakeholders. This event included stakeholders from the British Chiropractic Association, Royal College of Chiropractic and Chiropractic Research Council.

The event sought to identify and develop a shared set of research priorities and themes for chiropractic that will advance the profession and research in the AECC School of Chiropractic.

Commenting on the role, Julie explained: “It’s fantastic to have the opportunity to build on and develop the existing research culture and profile at AECC University College, enabling researchers to flourish.

“We recently launched our new Open Access Institutional Fund; internal funding that will enable our academics to make their work freely available to anyone across the world when they publish in journals.

“We’re building on the research that staff have been doing at AECC UC for many years by creating a research culture that stretches across the University. Research comes from a place of passion and creativity, and wanting to do things differently, and we want to nurture and enable that.”

Julie’s appointment follows Professor David Newell stepping back from his position as Director of Research at AECC UC last year. David continues to teach and research at the University College and holds the position of Doctoral Coordinator for AECC UC’s PhD programme.

First Submission to the KEF

Earlier this year, Research England published the results of the third Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF). This was the first time that AECC UC had made a submission to the KEF. The University College was included in the STEM Specialists Cluster, along with ten other institutions.

AECC UC’s performance highlighted strengths in the following areas: local growth and regeneration, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) provision, and working with the public and third sector.

Professor Lesley Haig, Vice-Chancellor of AECC UC, said: “We are delighted to welcome Julie to AECC UC as we look to develop and expand our research and knowledge exchange infrastructure and culture. We have reached an exciting period in our development as a University and increasing our research capacity is closely aligned with this. We are committed to developing and growing the knowledge exchange and research areas that we are active in.”

Above: Dr. Julie Northam