Debbie Dent
Oxfam Shop Manager Abingdon
'Every now and again you meet people who radiate such charm and apparently limitless energy and enthusiasm that you instantly realise that working with them will be a truly uplifting and positive experience. Emma is just that person.
Running an Oxfam shop is more than just 'selling things', and I have been keen to work with the local community on a range of awareness-raising projects. Emma has been by far the most enthusiastic and creative partner in this.
For example she has devised a range of projects with local students including: Recycling damaged vinyl records into stunning WW1 poppies; using donated old picture frames to display children's stories thereby creating an amazing shop window; and also involving 1400 children worldwide in producing a self-portrait to be displayed and ultimately sold in a plastic bottle,which filled the shop window in a 2 metre high wave to highlight the overwhelming significance of clean water.We have also been the recipients of an extraordinary and eclectic range of upcycled designs, which Emma's students have poured their creative talents into producing from damaged and previously unsaleable clothes.
Art for everyone - participants and observers alike, Emma has a talent to make that seem enviably easy and achievable...........a rare skill to be treasured and much admired.'
Annabelle Lambert
Science student at UEA
Paddy McKenna
Science student at UEA
'Emma has been my number one supporter in expanding my professional skills and network for almost a year now. As the person who introduced me to UEA VOICES, she has consistently shown a keen interest in bringing science to a wider audience. During our work at the Norwich Science Festival, her people skills - in particular her ability to encourage and provide us confidence when we were nervous - brought people with a variety of different skill sets together as a dynamic team. Because of this, I believe Emma is a great mentor, team leader and motivator.'
Gwen Parker
Schools and Community Services
Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library
'It’s really good to work with you, both because of what you offer and because you are so professional and easy to communicate with.
The workshops held in the library were such fun for the visiting year 2 children. Emma quickly engaged and involved the children, encouraging them to use their imaginations and become involved with their own story.
At the end of the session they were presented with their story to take back to school, where they could add to it, including illustrations. I was very impressed with Emma’s skill, attitude and understanding of the children.
The visiting teachers said it was a huge boost to literacy, and very child-centred.'
‘What a change you have made to my life and how grateful to you I am. The internship I am now doing is one that I wouldn't have got without your help, kindness and patience. I talked about Latitude, the BIO PPD magazine and VOICES in the interview. You taught me as much as any lecturer and I am so thankful for you. I have worked with Emma on several projects, most of which she has been leading. Emma has helped me so much, she has taught me how to think more creatively, how to lead groups and reach out to people. She is brilliant to work with and I'm incredibly grateful to have had the chance to work with her so much.'
Fran Speight
Project Development Officer
Suffolk Art Link
'Emma's workshops are engaging and fun for all our students. They are inclusive of all ages and are considerate to the abilities of the group.​
Emma's workshops are well paced and intersperced with mindful activity which helped our students engagement and promoted wellbeing and relaxation.'
Miles Oak
Masters of Science Research student at Quadram Institute
'Emma is a wonderful support for me and many other students alike. Through the BIO PPD Magazine she's allowed me to develop confidence in writing for students and producing content that students want/need to hear ranging from applying for opportunities, improving your CV or general wellbeing tips.
On top of this, she's constantly posting and informing us all about the range of different opportunities available out there and encouraging everyone to apply because you never know what can come from any of them or who you can meet along the way.
This attitude is invaluable to students as it doesn't limit them to the typical few career choices we're normally forced into, but rather demonstrates the different skills we can build and how we can apply them in different settings.
Emma has been an excellent mentor figure and I'm sure many other students can relate. I'm very fortunate to have written for the BIO PPD Magazine and I strongly encourage everyone else to do the same, if not for the simple fact that you'll have Emma at your disposal to help!'
Gary Rowley
Director of Employability / Associate Professor of Microbiology, School of Biological Sciences, UEA
'Planning employability activities for 2023 and reflecting on those in 2022 has reminded me how lucky we are to have Emma supporting the Employability Strategy for the School of Biological Sciences. Emma’s empathy and genuine care for our students, with her drive and determination, has led to a range of new initiatives over the last 12 months. These included:
• Establishing a strong community of BIO alumni. This provided a diverse collection of employability perspectives outside of academia including 1:1 student mentorship.
• VOICES allowing students to use their creative voice for science.
• BIO PPD skills club. This included a networking meeting for students with NRP businesses and launch of the BIO PPD prize.
• Support of the student led BIO employability magazine
• Development of the BIO employability blackboard site.
Emma is an outstanding colleague and is not afraid of trying things that might fail. Several of the initiatives provided above simply would not have happened without Emma.'
Rachel Willis
Community Development Worker
Historypin Connections Project
Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library
'Emma delivered a fantastic storysharing session as part of Norwich Millennium Library’s ‘Fun Palaces’ event.
She encouraged children, parents and even grandparents to create weird and wonderful stories, which were then acted out by the group. It was wonderful to see how proud and excited children were to share their tales with others, and how impressed parents were at their children’s imagination and creativity.
Emma has a lovely and enthusiastic manner which people really respond to, and her warm and open style means that people lose their inhibitions and really go for it! Thank you Emma, we look forward to working with you at Norwich Millennium Library again.'
Poppy Bye
Science student at UEA
'Emma has been amazingly welcoming and encouraging towards me getting involved with the groups she organises at the UEA, including VOICES and the BIO PPD club. She has helped me build on my own ideas as well as leading me to think of new ones and explore different directions, all whilst always being friendly and approachable. Her enthusiasm is contagious!'
Tabitha Bartlett
Science student at UEA
'Emma has been a huge support to me and many other students wanting to develop personally and professionally while at uni.
In 2020, Emma helped me and empowered me to produce an article for the Bio PPD magazine. The article was focused around the interdisciplinary connections between science and fashion and how science can and will continue to contribute to a more sustainable fashion industry. This one article, opened up many different opportunities, I networked with key designers and businesses, built my confidence and actively contributed to workshops and discussions about the future of fashion.
Throughout my time at UEA, Emma has continued to motivate and empower me to think outside of the box and say yes to opportunities. She has created space for collaboration and innovation by connecting me with exciting individuals.
Without Emma by my side I wouldn’t have had the confidence or inspiration to reach my full professional potential and commence my own innovative sustainable fashion project. Thank you Emma, it has been amazing to have your support during uni and I hope that you continue to motivate and empower students like myself.'
Rachel Watkins
Norwich Science Festival
'I've worked with Emma for the last two years, coordinating activities for the Norwich Science Festival. Emma has led on the planning and delivery of two high-profile panel discussion events, each featuring a range of panellists including academics, students and business representatives. Emma not only came up with the panel for each event, she also led on liaison and organised meetups and rehearsals to ensure that the events went smoothly. Emma is reliable, dedicated, thorough and passionate about what she does, and I am glad to have worked with her.'
Laura Jane Toogood
Science student at UEA
'Emma guided both VOICES and the BIO Personal & Professional Development Club and helped us to work on our leadership skills as well as organisation and connection skills.
She organised many different opportunities for students to engage with their future careers while encouraging them to attend Career Central workshops as well.
Emma is a lovely, friendly, outgoing supervisor and friend who I would recommend anyone to meet. She brightens up your day, works hard in what she does, and is a wholeheartedly amazing person.'
Daniel Akinmaiyejolu
Science student at UEA
'Emma was the supporting staff of the editorial team for the BIO student led magazine. She created an environment that made us feel comfortable communicating our opinions and dividing the tasks during our meetings and through a group chat to ensure the work is done efficiently and effectively.
She supported me in this role and helped me develop my verbal communication and confidence as I have interviewed multiple people via Teams. I recorded a video to promote the magazine, which I initially felt was out of my comfort zone, however, after receiving feedback from Emma, I recorded a much-improved version. This highlights Emma's value in constructively critiquing work to provide actionable feedback for improvements.'
UEA SolidariTee student society
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Online Activism Talk
'Thank you so much for speaking at the Activism workshop. It was so inspiring and encouraging to learn how to connect and empower individuals and communities through art-making! We had so many messages afterwards about how the event helped to build their confidence to make a positive change to the refugee crisis as well as other causes they're passionate about - which is the BEST!!'
Simone Immler
Academic, Genetics and Reproduction, School of Biological Sciences at UEA
'We collaborated with Emma for a podcast on our project between scientists and artists (Phenotypica) to create VR and other interactive platforms to engage an audience. Emma has been fantastic to work with and was very knowledgeable. She initiated the process and guided us through it making it an alround great experience. The feedback we got was throughout positive and encouraging and I give much credit to Emma for her ideas on how to pitch the podcast.'
Stella Babatope
Science student at UEA,Official UN Delegate for CSW UK 2023, STEM Schools & RSB Ambassador
Emma has been a fantastic, supportive, and inspirational coordinator. I have been working with Emma for a couple of months now and she has been amazing, the encouragement she passes on to all volunteers working with her is really overwhelming. She has been our individual cheerleader, her communication skills is so brilliant, always ready to carry us all along with no one feeling left out. She recently jokingly inspired to walk through a path I was so scared off and now I am happy to say I am doing excellently well in this field. I am happy I got to work with her and I am still working with her as we continue to save the planet and make it more habitable for all.
Chrisa Humphreys
Science student at UEA
'Emma welcomed me as a member of the Bio Student Employability Panel. With her support and guidance, being a member allowed me to provide my fellow students with employability and wellbeing support during the pandemic through the online content of the magazine we produced.
In addition, she allowed me the opportunity to manage the Instagram account, which shared valuable information on employability and careers events to students and grew in followers while I managed it. Emma was a great mentor and I gained several useful skills in communication, interviewing, and social media engagement. I am grateful for the skills, the experience, and the opportunity.'
Laura Tusting
Science student at UEA
'Working with Emma on the BIO Skills for science and beyond magazine at UEA allowed me to share my knowledge and advice, as well as my passion for wellbeing and career development. Emma supplied us with some excellent events and resources to promote to fellow students, and supported me in developing the magazine. This experience really enriched my knowledge of marketing, which I now work in, by allowing me to practise getting information across in the most engaging way to suit the target audience. I am very grateful for all of the help and support Emma provided, especially as being a part of that project was a pivotal moment in helping with my career direction.'
Emily Chiu
Science student at UEA
'Emma has been a lovely leader in BIO PPD and VOICES. She has been inspirational and directs us in project development, including the PPD Prize, the PPD magazine issues and the VOICES workshop at the Norwich Science Festival 2023. She also signposts us to career-related events and conferences, and encourage students to reflect on transferrable skills. It has been a wonderful time working with her for the School of Biological Sciences. I feel supported and more encouraged to pursue opportunities to further my personal and professional development through her guidance.'