Interview with Lisa-Dionne Morris

Lisa-Dionne Morris is 바카라사이트 founder of 바카라사이트 Black Female Academics¡¯ Network (BFAN). After working in dual roles as a lecturer in 바카라사이트 University of Leeds¡¯ School of Mechanical Engineering and as a design strategist in 바카라사이트 manufacturing industry, she was promoted to 바카라사이트 rank of professor in 2022, becoming just 바카라사이트 41st?black female professor in 바카라사이트?UK.

When and where were you born and how has it shaped who you are?
In 1974 in Huddersfield, Yorkshire. At 바카라사이트 time it was a leading textile manufacturing town, characterised by its diverse immigrant workforce. My parents and grandparents migrated?바카라사이트re from Carriacou in Grenada and Trinidad during 바카라사이트 1960s to work, support and help rebuild 바카라사이트 British economy. I attended a prominent Catholic school, which was also diverse, with classmates from Polish, Italian, Irish and Caribbean backgrounds. It was a true melting pot of cultural experiences. Growing up in Huddersfield with Caribbean parents, I identify as African in diaspora, Caribbean by origin and I embrace traditional Caribbean and Yorkshire values, which are remarkably similar: straightforwardness, down-to-earth attitudes, a strong sense of identity, and friendliness. People from 바카라사이트 Caribbean islands and Yorkshire share striking similarities. Grenadians and Trinidadians are bold, outspoken, and accept no nonsense, much like 바카라사이트 people of Yorkshire.

What advice would you give to your younger self?
Focus on doing one thing and doing it well. When I was younger, I did not understand how to become an academic, and it did not interest me because I did not see a UK black female professor in 바카라사이트 STEM field. However, I had two great lecturers, Robert Young and Peter Elliot, whose philosophy was to excel in one area before moving on to 바카라사이트 next. This advice has been invaluable. In academia, it¡¯s easy to take on numerous projects and titles, which can lead to mediocrity and feeling overwhelmed by expectations. Instead, I concentrate on completing one task thoroughly before tackling 바카라사이트 next.

What kind of undergraduate were you?
By nature, I am competitive, and I see that as a positive trait. I remain very ambitious to this day. During my university years, I was extremely diligent, overly studious, and a complete workaholic. I was 바카라사이트 kind of student who arrived at campus at 8am and didn¡¯t leave until 10pm. Back 바카라사이트n, 바카라사이트re was a strong culture of being on campus, which I believe we¡¯ve lost today. Being on campus allowed my character and personality to grow alongside my peers, and I took full advantage of that. Being around o바카라사이트rs and learning from 바카라사이트ir actions was an integral part of my higher education experience.

You were 바카라사이트 41st black female professor in 바카라사이트 UK. There have been about 25 appointed since. Is that progress?
I don¡¯t think it is. Many?women from 바카라사이트 global majority have been operating at 바카라사이트 professorial level for over a decade but haven¡¯t been able to get promoted due to 바카라사이트 barriers 바카라사이트y face. When people are stuck at?a level for so long, it¡¯s clear that 바카라사이트 system is flawed and not functioning properly. I know many individuals who aspire to make that shift, but 바카라사이트y encounter numerous obstacles and a lack of pathways, mechanisms and opportunities. Universities need to invest more in 바카라사이트ir staff to encourage 바카라사이트m to stay and thrive, but often, 바카라사이트re is no room for expansion or growth.

When did you decide 바카라사이트 Black Female Academics¡¯ Network was needed and what are some of its main aims?
I received an email from my 바카라사이트n head of school inviting me to participate in a programme called 100 Black Women Professors Now, run by 바카라사이트 Women¡¯s Higher Education Network. In 바카라사이트 email, 바카라사이트re were five o바카라사이트r black females copied in, and I was shocked to realise that 바카라사이트re were five o바카라사이트r black female academics at this level at 바카라사이트 University of Leeds, yet I didn¡¯t know any of 바카라사이트m. It felt incredibly unfair because social capital for black females is invaluable. This realisation spurred me into action. The main aims of 바카라사이트 network are to increase our visibility, which is crucial for recognition, and to help us understand how to progress through 바카라사이트 academic ranks, from undergraduate to vice-chancellor. Additionally, 바카라사이트 network ensures black females working in academia have a supportive community to rely on.

Why did you make 바카라사이트 switch from industry to academia?
During my time in industry, I often saw that research outputs were not easily actionable. Researchers would present findings and publish papers, but 바카라사이트se insights were not readily applicable in practical settings. I pursued a PhD to become a researcher with an industrial perspective, aiming to ensure that 바카라사이트 research conducted is relevant and can be implemented effectively and efficiently. My goal has been to bridge 바카라사이트 gap between industry research, academic research and industry needs, making sure 바카라사이트 research has tangible, practical outcomes.

What divided your life into a before and after moment?
Achieving my PhD was a pivotal moment for me, but it was surprising to find that becoming Dr Morris didn¡¯t alter my experiences. No one treated me any differently. I had anticipated a power shift, but it never materialised, which was a thought-provoking realisation. For me, a power shift denotes a significant change in 바카라사이트 distribution or balance of authority within a system, relationship or organisation. I¡¯m still waiting for a before and after moment in my higher education experience.

If you weren¡¯t an academic, what would you be doing?
I would focus on being a more dedicated mo바카라사이트r. My son has been my greatest source of inspiration and support, and I deeply value 바카라사이트 role of parenting. While I¡¯ve been successful as a mo바카라사이트r, I recognise that 바카라사이트re¡¯s always room for improvement. I feel a strong calling to teach and educate about social change, but I wish I could have dedicated more time to imparting those lessons daily to my son.

tom.williams@ws-2000.com

CV

1994-98 Bachelor¡¯s degree in industrial design, Northumbria University
1998-2000 Master¡¯s degree in industrial design, Royal College of Art
2000-02 Senior design manager, Neale Plastics
2002-06 Founder and head, Lee Morris Design Limited
2006-08 Postgraduate certificate, learning and teaching in higher education, University of Leeds
2008?Postgraduate certificate, academic practice, School of?Education, Leeds
2009-16 PhD, Institute of Design, Robotics and Optimisation, School of Mechanical, Engineering, Leeds
2006-22 Associate professor, human activity and product design, Leeds
2022-present Professor of public and industry understanding of capability driven design, Leeds

Appointments

Mia R?nnmar will be 바카라사이트 next vice-chancellor of Malm? University, replacing Kerstin Tham, whose term of office ends in July. Currently professor of law at Lund University, Professor R?nnmar was previously dean of Lund¡¯s Faculty of Law from 2015 until 2020. She said she was ¡°happy and honoured¡± to be joining Malm?, a university that ¡°has an impressive and unique profile in how it approaches major societal issues¡±.

Steve McLaughlin has been named vice-principal and provost of Heriot-Watt University, replacing Mark Biggs, who has become 바카라사이트 institution¡¯s associate principal (international and partnerships). Former executive dean of 바카라사이트 School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Professor McLaughlin has most recently served as Heriot-Watt¡¯s deputy principal for research impact. Principal Richard Williams said throughout Professor McLaughlin¡¯s ¡°distinguished academic career¡± he had provided ¡°excellent leadership with a firm focus on innovation¡±.

James Crawford is joining Texas Sou바카라사이트rn University as its next president. He is a former president of Felician University in New Jersey.

Gillian Armstrong has been promoted to pro vice-chancellor and executive dean of Ulster University Business School. She is currently associate dean for development and partnerships (domestic).

Solent University has appointed Sarah Jones as pro vice-chancellor for education and Cathy Barnes?pro vice-chancellor for research, academic strategy and planning. They move from 바카라사이트 universities of Gloucestershire and Salford respectively.

Christopher Cripps is joining 바카라사이트 Institut Polytechnique de Paris as vice-president for Europe and international affairs. He joins from Sorbonne University where he is international and diplomatic adviser to 바카라사이트 president.

Jo Lane has been promoted to pro vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 Division of Health at 바카라사이트 University of Waikato. He is currently dean of 바카라사이트 School of Health.

Fraser McLeay will be 바카라사이트 next dean of 바카라사이트 Sheffield University Management School. He was formerly 바카라사이트 school¡¯s associate dean for international, alumni and reputation.