My name is Adelaide Omitowoju and I have just joined the project as the YCEDE Project Administrator for Workstream 3 at the University of Sheffield.
I have previously worked in student experience and recruitment within higher education institutions. I also recently completed work on a HEIF research and policy-oriented project with the Department of Politics and IR at the University of Sheffield titled the ‘UK’s Women, Peace and Security Policy in a Global Context’.
Why were you interested in your role?
My interest in the role came from exploring YCEDE’s goals and seeing the different initiatives in place to achieve meaningful, lasting change. The project’s ambitious vision for addressing systemic inequalities in higher education aligns with my own commitment and desire to advance equality and diversity in institutional settings, stemming from my personal experiences as a student and as a university staff member. So the chance to work on this project suited me perfectly!
What have you enjoyed about the job so far?
Within my first month of working for YCEDE I was struck by how much I was welcomed into the team and it’s wide community from the get-go. Attending the project workshop in my first week really helped with feeling connected to the wider team, despite the consortium being so big.
Another element I enjoy is the diversity of YCEDE team and students we work with. The scope of the project brings a hugely diverse group of people together who are both like-minded and passionate about the objectives of the project, but also bring their unique perspectives and personalities to the job. It is very refreshing and inspiring.
I have also already had the opportunity to work and co-lead on projects that align with my own EDI interests. As I am in the early stages of my career, I really appreciate the chance to explore areas I am interested in and gain skills that I’ll be able to carry forward.
What are you looking forward to most about the job?
The opportunity to work closely with PGRs is something I am really looking forward to. My background in student experience has highlighted the transformative impact of strong student-staff relationships on both academic and personal development – so I am looking forward to being a part of their journey!