Lucy Hodges

Biography

My academic background is in the Humanities – I have a BA (Hons) in English Studies, and an MA in Eighteenth Century Studies (my first introduction to interdisciplinary research, when I combined literature, gender studies and history!). I graduated from the latter in 2010, and have worked in universities ever since.

Initially, I worked for the University of Southampton in Student Support, before moving to Exeter in late 2012. I worked in the Medical School from February 2013, firstly as the administrator for the Neuroscience department, and then from January 2016 until November 2017, in Research Finance.

I moved to the Wellcome Centre for Cultures and Environments of Health in November 2017, firstly as the Centre Administrator, but following a successful promotion in June 2018, as the Assistant Centre Manager.

Highlights of my career to date

I’m proud of all the things I achieve in my working life, because I try to always leave things better than I found them. I’ve achieved a lot since joining Exeter, including designing and creating a database for equipment maintenance in the Medical School (which improved efficiency and reduced expenditure), establishing the Neuroscience department and moving in three research labs, and updating the journaling process within the Medical School in conjunction with the College finance staff.

My time at the Centre has been equally fruitful, establishing policies and processes for our interdisciplinary ways of working, and organising and supporting the recruitment processes for staff and students alike. I’ve been particularly proud of the senior posts recruitment, from which we recruited three exceptional members of staff, following a campaign online, and on social media, to promote the opportunities.

Perhaps the most challenging thing I have done is speak in a seminar in July 2019 about my personal experiences with debt, shame and poverty – although I am a confident public speaker, this topic was highly personal and I was speaking alongside academics who were very much more experienced and confident than I was!

What I do

I oversee the administration of the Centre, line-managing Emma and Mel. I also have specific responsibility for communications, finance, HR/recruitment and building management.

In my spare time, I’m a blogger, a keen knitter and an aspiring podcaster – all with varying degrees of success!

Shame, poverty and health – seminar July 2019

hosted by Luna Dolezal; speakers Robert Walker, Felicity Thomas and Lucy Hodges.