You’ll still be busy, though?

The start of 2026 marked a number of work/life changes for me. It is February, already, and I haven’t really conveyed what these are, despite enquiries! For those who missed the “big news” I left my full-time role as a senior lecturer at a campus university on 31 December 2025. Friends and contacts who know me well, have said one thing to me on this: “You’ll still be busy, though?” I think this conveys that people have an accurate sense of who I am; someone who, using the Scottish turn of phrase on this, likes to “keep busy.” There has however been a rebalancing of where that “busy” lies.

In a switcheroo of previous roles, I’m now the main parent managing the kids and home with my husband being the one working more than full-time hours. I’ve spoken about the gender balance of our set up before, in a nutshell: society still isn’t really set up for mum to be the main earner and dad to be the main carer, but we put in a shift at trying to improve this. I’ve also said before that it’s impossible to work full-time (and especially so without any family support nearby) when you have a neuro-spicy brood. Our soon to turn 3-year-old received a working diagnosis of autism in late 2025, to add to the existing mix of neurodivergence in our children. So, I am indeed being kept busy and also keeping myself busy on top of this.

I’m now working at circa 0.3 FTE with the Open University. I’ve been linked with the OU since first starting with them as an Associate Lecturer back in 2008 and will always champion the institution, so it has been great to expand on my work there again. The OU offers flexibility not just for learners but for staff. Alongside this I am taking on selected freelance roles and continue as an external examiner/subject expert for various organisations. Watch this space for updates on research and practice projects that I’m leading or collaborating on this year!

It has been a joy to return to a more defined portfolio career. People knowing I have left my substantive academic post means work offers have been coming my way, which I am very appreciative of. Some are a great fit, but I have turned down other opportunities, sometimes simply because I think there might someone else better placed for the role. Please do continue share continue to share opportunities with me, as if I’m not the best fit for it, I am sure to be able to recommend others.

And I've also found more time for well-being and fitness. Although, with increased mileage comes an increase in the need for blister plasters and a realisation that my task this month is sorting myself out with some new running shoes. 



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