Karen Morrison Student Support Manager

I have been in post since September 2000 and am responsible for managing the University’s Disability Support Team to ensure that a first class support service is delivered to disabled students. I also provide non-specialist staff with specialist and expert guidance in the area of disability and supporting disabled students. I am still an active practitioner, working with disabled students as well as managing the team.

I have always been interested in disability issues and, between 1994 and 2000, worked as Specialist Careers Adviser for disabled young people in Northumberland. This included supporting some of them in applying to and studying at University so when the opportunity to work at Northumbria University came up it seemed like a natural progression.

 

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Cara Turner
Disabilities Adviser

I am responsible for the provision of specialist, expert advice, guidance and support to disabled and dyslexic students (both prospective and current students) and also to non-specialist staff working in Faculties and other Services who are working with disabled students.  This includes providing advice to University staff on compliance with legal obligations to disabled students under the Equality Act 2010 and the risks of non-compliance. This also involves liaison with external stakeholders, including medical, psychological and related professionals, schools, colleges, social services, funding bodies and assessment centre personnel.

 

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Jill Hogg
Disabilities Adviser

I am responsible for the provision of specialist, expert advice, guidance and support to disabled and dyslexic students (both prospective and current students) and also to non-specialist staff working in Faculties and other Services who are working with disabled students.  This includes providing advice to University staff on compliance with legal obligations to disabled students under the Equality Act 2010 and the risks of non-compliance. This also involves liaison with external stakeholders, including medical, psychological and related professionals, schools, colleges, social services, funding bodies and assessment centre personnel.

Most of my career has been spent working in higher education including at the Universities of Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle and Northumbria. Originally working in diagnostic and research laboratories I moved through laboratory management roles to operational management, project management and strategic management positions. Voluntary work as an adviser led to an interest in adviser roles and I started in my current role in 2011.

 

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Catherine Lintern
Disabilities Adviser

I am responsible for the provision of specialist, expert advice, guidance and support to disabled and dyslexic students (both prospective and current students) and also to non-specialist staff working in Faculties and other Services who are working with disabled students. This includes providing advice to University staff on compliance with legal obligations to disabled students under the Equality Act 2010 and the risks of non-compliance. This also involves liaison with external stakeholders, including medical, psychological and related professionals, schools, colleges, social services, funding bodies and assessment centre personnel.

I previously worked as a Specialist Careers Adviser for disabled young people, an enabler for students in Higher Education, a local authority Statementing Officer and a Disabled Students’ Allowance needs assessor. 

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Tim Cunningham
Disabilities Adviser

I have been a Disabilities Adviser at Northumbria since 2008, responsible for delivering disability related support to disabled students. I advise academic and support staff on relevant disability related and disabled student support issues including those specific to individual students.  My previous employment was with Newcastle University providing ICT support to medical and dental students as well as managing and maintaining the University website.

I have a keen professional interest in Assistive Technology and have experience in providing formal training on assistive software packages such as Text Help Read & Write, Mind Genius, Mind View, Dragon Naturally Speaking and JAWS.

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Andy Hope
Disabilities Adviser

I am responsible for the provision of specialist, expert advice, guidance and support to disabled and dyslexic students (both prospective and current students) and also to non-specialist staff working in Faculties and other Services who are working with disabled students.  This includes providing advice to University staff on compliance with legal obligations to disabled students under the Equality Act 2010 and the risks of non-compliance. This also involves liaison with external stakeholders, including medical, psychological and related professionals, schools, colleges, social services, funding bodies and assessment centre personnel.

I joined Northumbria University as a Disabilities Adviser in 2016. I have previous experience of teaching students with disabilities and since 2012; I have worked as a Disabilities Adviser in another university and higher education provider within the North East.  

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Jude Elliott
Dyslexia Support Tutor

I deliver specialist one to one multi-sensory support tutorials for University students with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD). Tutorials involve working on strategies to help with topics such as planning and structuring essays, reading, revision, exam strategies, presentations, time management and personal organisation. The tutorials support students in making the most of their learning opportunities.  I also provide advice on supporting students with SpLDs, to colleagues across the University, both through formal training and informal contacts.

I have previously worked in similar roles at both Sunderland and Newcastle Universities. Prior to focusing on supporting students with SpLDs, I have worked at Northumbria, Newcastle and Robert Gordon Universities in the areas of disability advice and the development of support services for students with disabilities.

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Alison Cornforth
Dyslexia Support Tutor

I provide one-to-one specialist support tutorials to students with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD).  I develop and deliver a range of strategies to improve study skills and develop confidence. Strategies are individualised to the students’ preferred way of working to address specific issues such as planning assignments and structuring information; reading comprehension and reading speed; exam preparation; time management and personal organisation. I always aim to provide support sessions in a friendly and supportive environment.  I also provide advice and training to support staff and academic staff across the university.

I find this role particularly rewarding and enjoy working with students to develop their full academic potential.  I have previously worked as an SpLD Tutor at Hull University and in similar roles in further education.

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Michael Hedley
Student Support Coordinator

I have worked in Student Support and Wellbeing since 2013. As a Disability Coordinator I am responsible for delivering disability-related support, to disabled students, such as the Support Worker Service and Dyslexia@Northumbria.

The Coordinators are the first point of contact for students and faculty staff and assist a range of disabled students in appointments and drop-in sessions.

 

 

 

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Remy Buchanan
Disability Support Coordinator

I am a Disability Support Coordinator responsible for delivering disability –related support, to disabled students, such as the Support Worker Service and Dyslexia@Northumbria.

The Coordinators are the first point of contact for students and faculty staff and assist a range of disabled students in appointments and drop-in sessions.

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