Arts & Humanities
The Arts & Humanities Special Interest Group brings together research managers and administrators who support arts and humanities research or researchers at any point in the research lifecycle – from the development of research proposals for external funding to the preparation of research outputs and impact case studies for the Research Excellence Framework exercise. The A&H SIG seeks to address the unique challenges and opportunities that face arts and humanities research, researchers and research support.
Champions:
Our Special Interest Group champions are responsible for the activity and resource base of the group.
Christie Walker, Deputy Director Research, Innovation and Enterprise and Associate Director Research Support and Governance, Oxford Brookes University
Christie is the Deputy Director (RIE) and Associate Director Research Support and Governance at Oxford Brookes University where she is responsible for managing the Pre-Award, Post-Award and Research Culture and Practice teams. Together, Research Support and Governance provide support for the entire research lifecycle, including researcher development and research ethics and integrity. Christie also manages the institution’s REF submission.
Prior to joining Oxford Brookes University in March 2024, Christie was Head of Research Development at the Royal College of Art for 8 years and Strategy & Development Manager at at the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) for four years. At the RCA, Christie was responsible for all aspects of research support and governance, impact and the REF. At the AHRC, she was responsible for developing and managing research funding schemes and calls, including peer review, as well as engaging with researchers and research projects. Christie has a passion for supporting practice research and gained a great deal of experience with this at AHRC and the RCA.
Helen Duffy Senior Impact Consultant, Walcott Communications
Helen is a Senior Impact Consultant at Walcott Communications, she supports individuals and institutions to understand and articulate the impact of their research. She brings significant experience of research impact and the research funding landscape from her work at the Arts and Humanities Research Council leading analysis to understand and articulate the value and impact of arts and humanities research. She has led monitoring, evaluation and learning activities including training, facilitation, evidence gathering, strategy development and partnership building for commissioned research projects to large interdisciplinary investments. She draws on insights from her experience in the international development sector to inform the development of theories of change, logic models and evaluation frameworks and reports.
Tania Cleaves Research Development Manager (Arts), University of Nottingham
Tania joined the University of Nottingham in November 2023 and supports research development and bid support in the Arts and Humanities with amazing colleagues in the Faculty of Arts Research Accelerator (FARA) team. Previously she held various research support and operational roles at the University of Birmingham (2016-2023), a Wellcome Trust Research Fellowship in the Medical Humanities at the University of Warwick (2012-2016) and a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship at McGill University (2010-2012). She is an alumna of the University of Nottingham, completing her PhD in Art History in 2008.
As an alternative academic (‘alt-ac’)/independent Humanities scholar on top of her full-time role, Tania empathically brings dual perspectives as an HE Professional and academic with her own grant track record. She has served on ARMA’s Professional Development Committee, Training & Development Working Group, Secondments Working Group, participated on its Mentoring Programme, and is currently a mentor on the RLUK Research Catalyst Cohort Programme.
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