Meet the Team
University Alliance provides coordination of the DTA on behalf of its members via a dedicated DTA Team and academic leadership from across the network.
Rabia Arshad, Programme Training Manager
Rabia is the Programme Training Manager for the DTA team.
Contact: dta@unialliance.ac.uk
Rabia joined University Alliance in December 2022 as Programme Training Manager to support the DTA team. She is responsible for the co-ordination and engagement of researchers (students, supervisors, alumni) participating in the programme, as well as supporting the development and co-ordination of the DTA training activities.
She works closely with the Head of Doctoral Training and all members of the DTA team, as well as Student Reps and researcher development leads from partner universities, to ensure that a successful and effective programme is delivered.
She is an alumna of the University of Salford and the University of the West of Scotland (UWS). She completed her research doctorate at UWS in 2021, where she also worked as a peer-assisted learning leader and research assistant.
Rabia identified her career interests in researcher development during her research doctorate and strived to gain experience by engaging her fellow researchers and creating a peer support community of PGRs. She is passionate about supporting doctoral researchers and has held various PGR support and engagement roles during her research doctorate. Prior to joining University Alliance, Rabia worked as an Assistant Lecturer and Projects Coordinator for Learning & Teaching at a private Higher Education provider.
Emma Cowley, DTA3/COFUND Project Manager
Emma is the Project Manager for our DTA3/COFUND project.
Contact: dta@unialliance.ac.uk
Emma joined the University Alliance in March 2023 as the DTA3 Project Manager.
She is a DTA3 alumna and received her PhD from Liverpool John Moores University in physical activity and behaviour change. Prior to her doctorate, Emma was the Education Manager for health projects at the European Institute of Innovation and Technology for the UK and Ireland.
She has recently returned to the UK from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she managed a $2.5million federal grant investigating student cardiometabolic health.
Jennie Eldridge, Head of Doctoral Training
Jennie is the Head of Doctoral Training for UA and leads the DTA team.
Contact: dta@unialliance.ac.uk
Jennie joined University Alliance in October 2015 as part of the new Doctoral Training Alliance and is the Head of Doctoral Training for University Alliance.
She has a long career within higher education, with a particular focus on postgraduate education. Prior to joining University Alliance Jennie worked for King’s College London where she was Head of Postgraduate Policy & Operation, overseeing the support for the postgraduate student experience and governance, as well as managing the scholarship offering and support for doctoral training partnerships.
Jennie studied South East Asian Studies at the University of Hull, and before taking up her first role at King’s she completed a library training position at HM Treasury and worked for the Art & Humanities Research Board, British Academy (the predecessor to AHRC).
Outside of work, Jennie holds the RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture.
Jennie works part time (standard work days Monday, Wednesday & Thursday).
Laurella Noble, Programme Administrator
Laurella is the Programme Administrator for the DTA team.
Contact: dta@unialliance.ac.uk
Laurella joined University Alliance in October 2023 as Programme Administrator for the Doctoral Training Alliance (DTA). She supports the Head of Doctoral Training and wider DTA team in delivering the programme to doctoral researchers from Alliance universities.
Her prior experience includes various supportive roles within Education and Learning & Development. Laurella previously spent time at King’s College London where she coordinated a multi-disciplinary programme for undergraduate students.
Directors
DTA National Co-Directors
Professor Elena Gaura, DTA National Co-Director
In addition to her role as DTA National Co-Director, Professor Gaura is Professor of Pervasive Computing & Associate Dean of Research at Coventry University, Faculty of Engineering and Computing.
Professor Paul Crawshaw, DTA National Co-Director
In addition to his role as DTA National Co-Director, Professor Crawshaw is Dean of the School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Law at Teesside University.
