Professor Sonia Virdee - Principal
I joined Grey College from University College London in April 2023, so have recently been a fresher myself! Grey is a wonderful community and students tell me that what they value most is the sense of belonging. I and the College team work closely with the JCR to ensure students benefit the most of what College can offer.
My research background is in Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics, which I got into after I graduated in Ecological Sciences at Edinburgh. I enjoyed combining long summers of fieldwork in the Pyrenees with genetic analysis in the lab, and rearing grasshoppers (my research collaborators!). My teaching interests spanned environmental biology, statistics and ecology. I was lecturing about global heating in the 90s and remain strongly committed to environmental sustainability – individual and institutional action.
I love working in Higher Education because of its capacity to change lives, through opening doors and opening minds. As first in my family to go to university, and making the College experience as welcoming and accessible as possible for students from less advantaged backgrounds is very important to me.
I have held academic and strategy-related roles at University of East Anglia, University of Essex, Wellcome Sanger Research Institute, University College London, and I am on the Board for the Royal Veterinary College. (London) At Durham University, it is a privilege to lead such an amazing College community at this excellent university.
Rhian Davies - Vice-Principal
As Vice-Principal, I am responsible for leading on student enrichment and wider student opportunities in college, and work alongside our fantastic student leaders and groups to develop a variety of #greytopportunities for our students, to widen horizons and unlock your true potential. I support the Principal on the strategic development and management of the college. My role at Grey is full time and although I do not deliver academic teaching at Durham, my academic background and interest lies in Educational Studies, Youth & Community Development and Leadership.
I joined Grey College as Vice-Principal in Easter 2024. I previously worked for twenty years in the public and voluntary sector, and am passionate about youth work, community development, equalities, inspiring leadership, community activism…fun! I have a strong belief in the power of communities and community engagement. Grey has developed a thriving community & creative spirit which is continually evolving and creates a diverse supportive community for all. We have a wonderful staff team, alumni and common rooms and I am honoured to be a member of the Grey team!
Dr Judith Barbaro-Brown - Assistant Principal
I have been in the role of Assistant Principal at Grey College since January 2021 and feel both privileged and lucky to be part of the Grey family.
I originally worked clinically in the NHS before moving into education and have lectured in HE since 1996. I first worked at Durham University in 2007, based at Queen’s Campus with the Medicine programme. After some time at York St John University leading the Health CPD team I returned to help set up the Durham International Study Centre as Head of Curriculum and Progression. After this I was part of the team setting up the new medical school in Sunderland before returning again to Durham University and joining the Grey community. I’m an alumnus of Cardiff & Durham Universities from my PG/Doctoral studies and have specific interests in student support and wellbeing, student transition to university, and academic self-concept.
I was born in Durham City and continue to live just outside the city with my family as well as multiple dogs and cats. My dogs regularly come into college to spend time with students in the JCR and go for walks with them around Durham – they are honorary members of the Grey Welfare Team and love coming into college! I enjoy cooking and baking, eating chocolate, Argentine tango, collecting shoes, going to the theatre and cinema, and travelling - my favourite destination being the Alhambra in Granada.
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