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Speakers

7 - 8 May 2025
East Midlands Conference Centre, University of Nottingham

Speakers

Laura Bates, Author and Founder of the Everyday Sexism Project

Laura Bates is a best-selling author, keynote speaker and founder of the Everyday Sexism Project. 

Sara-Louise Ackrill, Founder - Wired Differently.

Sara-Louise Ackril is a Harley Street therapist and Neurodivergent CEO at Wired Differently. Sara-Louise is a social
entrepreneur working in counselling, training, and creating products and services related to neurodiversity both in the UK and internationally.

Michelle Overton, Director, Mental Wellbeing Services UK

Michelle Overton is a nationally recognised trainer with an operational background in university mental health. 

 

Her books include Everyday Sexism, Girl Up and Fix the System, Not the Women. Laura writes regularly for the New York Times, Guardian and others, and is a frequent media commentator and consultant for TV productions tackling issues around gender inequality.  

She works closely with government, schools, businesses, police forces and bodies from the United Nations to the Council of Europe on sexism and inequality.

In recognition of Laura’s work surrounding sexism and gender inequality, she was awarded a British Empire Medal in the 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honours List and has been named Woman of the Year by Cosmopolitan, Red Magazine and The Sunday Times Magazine. She is also an Honorary Fellow of St John’s College, Cambridge, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. 

 

 

Sara-Louise is diagnosed with autism herself
and generally takes on engagements related
to all aspects of neurodiversity and social
entrepreneurship (via Zoom).

She has spoken at a number of live events, including
at the University of East London where Sara-
Louise was invited back. Her company Wired
Differently has been chosen for support by
Cambridge Social Ventures, accelerator of
the world-renowned university.

Previously, Sara-Louise worked as a
therapist and trainer; in employability and
disability and as a former recruitment
manager. Her principal project is in health
tech. Sara-Louise particularly enjoys
engagements that are oriented towards
people of all neurotypes understanding each
other better for a productive and harmonious
workplace.

 

 

She specialises in delivering mental health training and strategies to empower teams and individuals supporting the university life cycle, enhancing student wellbeing and fostering resilient university communities.

 

Christopher Tucker, Director Residence Life, The University of Edinburgh 

Christopher Tucker is the Director Residence Life for The University of Edinburgh since June 2019 and has worked in the UK Higher Education sector since relocating from the US in 1998.   

Sarah Djuric, Residence Life Manager, University of Leeds

As an experienced professional in student affairs, Sarah currently serves as the Residence Life Manager at the University of Leeds, and the CUBO Residence Life Steering Group lead. 

Mike Ritchie, Digital Director, CampusLife

Mike has worked with CampusLife since the very beginning in 2008.

 

Christopher has over 29 years' experience of managing Residential Life, student conduct, pastoral care, crisis intervention and out-of-hours emergency student support within the university environment.  At the University of Edinburgh Christopher has created and helped install one of the first Residential Life Wellbeing Services that provide 24 hour crisis support, coordinate support externally/internally and 1 to 1 sessions for students with complex behaviours using non-clinical interventions.

 

Christopher has also provided services as a trainer and as a consultant within the UK and internationally, delivering educational training sessions for academics, university professional service staff and security teams in the areas of student development theory (Residential Life), conflict management, mental health awareness and crisis intervention.  

 

Christopher holds an MSc in Conflict Resolution and Mediation Studies, and an MDip in Mental Health with a focus on behavioural interventions.

 

 

She holds a Master’s of Education with a specialisation in Student Affairs (2022). With experience working for Residence Life Teams in Canada and the UK, Sarah’s passions lie in fostering supportive and engaging residential communities for students, and enhancing student experience and wellbeing within university accommodations. 

 

 

He now heads up the team that manages, develops, and produces amazing content for the Browzer platform, which transforms how accommodation and Residence Life teams communicate with students.

 

Megan Janasiewicz, Head of Residential Experience, University of Nottingham

Dr Megan Janasiewicz (she/her) is currently the Head of Residential Experience at the University of Nottingham. She has worked in higher education for the past 17 years, has an MA in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Indiana University, and a PhD in University Student Affairs Administration from the University of Georgia. 

Donny McCormick, Director, Safeguarding HE

Donny McCormick is a dedicated Higher Education and Safeguarding Professional with 18 years’ experience supporting students and institutions. Having held senior roles across universities and the Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) sector, Donny is the Founder of Safeguarding HE, supporting the higher education sector in keeping students and staff safe.

Anca Sticlaru, Digital Content Officer, Residential & Catering Services Division, LSE

Anca Sticlaru is a Digital Content Lead at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), overseeing all student communication for halls residents. 

 

Megan has worked in a number of student services areas, including Fraternity and Sorority Life, International Education, Career Services, and Residence Life. Megan is an American expat who loves exploring promising practices in higher education from a global perspective. In her free time, Megan loves cooking and baking, visiting local markets, and exploring all the best bits of her new home country.

His career includes impactful work at Robert Gordon University, King’s College London, and Unite Students alongside establishing a UK charity as an international NGO in Zambia. Donny is also a certified trainer for Mental Health First Aid England, Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid and an accredited Sexual Violence Liaison Officer. Additionally, he is qualified to deliver safeguarding training for children and adults at risk.

Academically, Donny holds a BA (Hons) in Scots Law and an LLB from the University of Stirling, as well as an MA in Safeguarding and Security from London Metropolitan University. Recently, he was appointed Trustee (Welfare) at The Printing Charity, further demonstrating his commitment to welfare and safeguarding excellence.

Nysa Pradhan, CUBO Executive Director

Nysa joined CUBO in October 2024 as the incoming Executive Director. Nysa brings extensive experience in leadership, innovation, strategic, financial and operational management and a passion for making a difference in the non-profit sector, evidenced by her experiences at Gem-A, BCI, IIS and her own volunteering with the Aga Khan Council as well as her recent roles.

Lucy McDonald, Marketing Executive, University of Leeds

Natalie Cherry, Assistant Manager of Residence Life, University of Leeds  

Most recently, Nysa held the position of Chief Operating Officer at The Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A).

Nysa works alongside the CUBO Executive Committee and colleagues in the mission to lead and promote excellence in the development of campus life, services and the student experience and in continuing to deliver the core benefits of membership – networking, best practice, data and resources for all campus and commercial services.

Jason Masterson, Residential Life, Community, Events and Facilities Manager, University College Dublin

Nathan Barker, Residence Life Coordinator, University of Leeds

Freya Shute, Residence Life Intern, University of Leeds

Fabio Valencia, Residential Life Officer, LSE

Ellen Bates,Communications & Marketing Coordinator, LSE

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