Josine Opmeer

During the final stages of my History degree at the University of Utrecht, I was offered the opportunity to gain some work experience in England at the University of Leeds International Medieval Institute. This was for one year..., some 30 years later I am still in the UK, but with enormous amount of experience and knowledge in research leadership and management richer. 

During these past 30 years, I have been able to substantially broaden my horizon and gain a proven record of successful delivery in various research development, management and leadership roles at:

• The University of Leeds where I started as the Conference Administrator for the International Medieval Congress Centre Administrator, followed by becoming the Centre Manager of the AHRC funded Centre for Cultural Analysis, Theory and History (CentreCATH) and to come back later in my career as the Research & Innovation Development Manager at the Leeds Social Science Institute.
• The University of Manchester as the Centre Manager of the ESRC Centre for Research on Socio-Cultural Change (CRESC) a joint initiative between The University of Manchester and The Open University.
• The University of York, first as the Research Facilitator for the Departments of Politics and Sociology, followed by becoming the Research Development Manager for the Social Sciences.
• The University of Hull as the Head of the Research Development Team and as Interim Director of Research & Innovation.
• The University of Dundee as the Assistant Director - Research

Working together with senior research leaders as well as other academic and professional colleagues across the University I develop, support and help grow the value and visibility of our research excellence, including our research grant portfolio. I also help to build, support and promote an open and inclusive research culture, creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

My work includes engagement with regional, national and international stakeholders, such as other research organisations, funders, government, corporate and third sectors, promoting the University’s research priorities as well as our individual academics' research.