Denise Coles

Biography 

My name is Denise Coles and I am a newly appointed EDI manager at Loughborough University.  My role involves working with academic and professional service staff across the organisation to drive and instigate progressive change in an EDI direction.  Fortunately, I love people and love talking with people. A huge aspect of a role such as mine is relationship building and understanding the viewpoints of diverse people and groups to support and identify barriers to progress.  This endeavour is achieved by supporting staff with extending their EDI knowledge and skills so they can be effective agents of change.   Therefore, I was thrilled to be part of the Vitae ICE Awards shortlisting community panel and learn about so many fantastic research projects that are occurring on a National and International level. Judging the awards selection, I saw so many examples of good practice which I’m keen to embed in my own practice.  Other bits of information about me:  I was recently awarded Staff Member of the Year: Loughborough Experience Award, I enjoy learning new things especially when it comes to do with culture and language and I’m physically very active.  I practice qigong on a regular basis, and I love to run especially long distances.