27 Feb 2019
New Director of Research and Enterprise appointed at Loughborough
Dr Jen Fensome has been appointed to the new post of Director of Research and Enterprise at Loughborough University.
Dr Fensome will join Loughborough in May from Cranfield University, which she is currently Associate Director of Research and previously held the post of Head of Research Excellence.
After gaining a BSc in Genetics from the University of York and undertaking her PhD in Medicine and Biological Sciences at the University of Leicester, Dr Fensome went to work as a Knowledge Agent at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, part of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), where she was responsible for assessing state-of-the-art science and technology research and applying it to the UK’s defence and security initiatives. She was then seconded for three years to the MoD’s Defence Technology and Innovation Centre, as Programme Manager for the Human Capability Domain.
In 2010 Dr Fensome was appointed as Research Development Manager at the University of Bedfordshire, where she supported the development of the University’s research and enterprise agenda through the delivery of a research support service. She moved to the University of Birmingham in 2012 to become a Research Support Partner in the College of Life and Environmental Sciences, where she set up a new Research Office and support services.
She joined Cranfield University three years later to set up a new Research Office and lead preparations for the Research Excellence Framework (REF), in addition to taking on responsibility for managing the Knowledge Exchange support service and regional partnerships.
At Loughborough, Dr Fensome will lead on the integration of the Research and Enterprise offices and play a key role in shaping and delivering the University’s research and enterprise activities, working closely with the Pro Vice-Chancellors for these areas.
Of her appointment, Dr Fensome said: “I am excited to be joining Loughborough, having known and admired its research, innovation and education reputation for many years, and am pleased to see this reflected in the latest national league tables.
“I am keen to ensure the University’s continuing ambitions and priorities for Research and Enterprise are met through the delivery of a high quality, fit-for-purpose support service that makes a real difference to the researcher community, the University’s existing and potential partners, and the health of the local region, the UK and beyond.”