Meet inspirational women from our university community

"In recognition of International Women’s Day, I’m delighted to introduce a selection of stories and successes from some of the many inspiring women in our university community. #InspireInclusion" - Vice Chancellor Professor Julie Mennell

From transformational research to fundraising challenges for charity, read on to discover the uplifting successes and achievements of our staff, students and alumni.

JAMIE CHACKO AND JULIE SHAW

Jamie, a Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship student, was awarded the Palliative Care Award alongside her daughter Julie at the North West and Northern Ireland Regional Great British Care Awards in November 2023. The mother and daughter duo, who work together at Heron Hill Care Home in Kendal, won the award for their work on advanced care planning.

AMY STILING

Student paramedic Amy was awarded the College of Paramedics (CoP) Student of the Year – ‘Support for Fellow Students’ in 2023. The award is given in recognition of outstanding effort made by a pre-registration paramedic student, and Amy was nominated by her peers after demonstrating support for all – she's the first to congratulate others, offer help and provide encouragement.

BECKY CROTON

Becky, Senior Lecturer in Paramedic Apprenticeships, has been a strong and constant voice on women’s health throughout the development of the University’s Paramedic Apprenticeship programme. Her colleagues say Becky puts her points across in a measured, reasonable manner and is always positive and engaging.

DR PENNY BRADSHAW

Dr Penny Bradshaw, Associate Professor of English Literature, published her latest guidebook, ‘A Literary Walking Tour of Carlisle’ in Autumn 2023. The book, which celebrates the rich literary heritage of Carlisle, completes a unique trilogy that showcases the campuses where Penny has worked over the course of her 20+ year career at the University of Cumbria.

LULU SLEEP

Forest Management student Lulu won the prestigious Royal Forestry Society (RFS) travel bursary in 2023. She visited the Alex Fraser research forest in the Pacific North West, Canada, where she was involved in forest surveying and developing harvesting prescriptions.

KELLY CORNWELL

At our November 2023 graduations, Kelly Cornwell was the recipient of the Jim Cox Prize, a special award for the ‘most inspirational student’. Selected by academics within our Institute of Health, Kelly was chosen after she completed her degree while facing a year like no other.

Her husband Kevin, a humanitarian aid worker, was taken captive by the Taliban in January 2023 whilst working in Afghanistan. Two weeks later, Kelly had to undergo emergency surgery, spending five weeks at home in Lancashire recovering from her operation. Once well enough, Kelly began clawing back the 170 placement hours she had missed in addition to the five hundred hours of a final professional placement she had to do to complete her degree.

Kevin was released on 10 October 2023, and just weeks after his return to the UK, he was able to see Kelly graduate at Carlisle Cathedral.

KAREN JONES

When our Brampton Road campus in Carlisle marked its 60th anniversary in February 2024, Karen, the Development Manager at our Institute of Education, Arts & Society, took a trip down memory lane with Cumbria Life Magazine. In the article, she reflected on six decades of history and development at the campus, looking at its course portfolio, buildings and people.

DR AMANDA TAYLOR BESWICK

Dr Amanda Taylor Beswick, Director of the Centre for Digital Transformation, was chosen for the 2022 ESWRA Award for Outstanding Publication in European Social Work Research for her paper on ‘Digital Relationality, Rights, Resilience: Conceptualising a Digital Social Ecology for Children’s Birth Family Relationships, When in Care or Adopted’. The award committee's view was that Amanda’s article would make a significant conceptual and theoretical contribution to its field.

ALISON OTTO

In May 2023, Alison, from the University of Cumbria's Marketing and Student Recruitment team, helped to raise over £5,000 for Brain Tumour Research. Alison, alongside her friend Lisa, walked 70 miles around the Isle of Wight in memory of Lisa's brother Ralph, who sadly passed away aged 25 after battling brain cancer.

ZOE MASON

Zoe, Senior Lecturer in Practice Development, attended the House of Lords to participate in an open table discussion about integrated care systems. She was asked to attend both for her understanding of primary care and as a proponent for diabetes care, having advocated in the local area for patients to be able to receive appropriate education and technology for diabetes management.

OLENA STULIKA

As a guest of the Vice Chancellor, Olena Stulika, Associated Professor of Practical Psychology at Mariupol State University in Ukraine, attended the University of Cumbria’s staff VIP lunch in November 2023. Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Olena is living and working in Carlisle, where she gives online lectures to her students.

YVETTE EARL

Ten years after graduating from Cumbria, artist and illustrator Yvette returned to the University to complete a classroom makeover that will inspire future generations of teachers and school pupils. Yvette used Loop spray paint cans and Posca pens before hand-painting detailed animals’ features to bring the nature-themed mural to life. Yvette was also named Alumnus of the Year at our November 2023 graduations.

KIMBERLEY BRADSHAW

Kimberley Bradshaw, a lecturer in Medical Sciences at the University of Cumbria, came second in the John Clifton Essay Prize 2023, a national competition run by the British Society for the History of Radiology. Kimberley’s essay, entitled ‘Florence Ada Stoney: Formidable Feminism in the History of Radiology’ explores Florence’s life, her work during World War I, and how she became a pioneer in Radiology.

RACHAEL THOMAS

Rachael Thomas, Lecturer in Policing Apprenticeships, has been raising awareness of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) through the ReSViNET Foundation. Rachael, who is the UK representative for the patient advisory board, sadly lost her 13-week-old son Alexander to RSV in 2010. In February 2024, Rachael addressed the global RSVVW’24 conference, which was held in Mumbai.