Here at Aidan’s we have various staff who have a wide range of experience, skills and bring fundamental inputs to our College environment. Each member is important to our community and its development and with them our community strives to break barriers and enhance community cohesion. All of our staff are dedicated to our community which enhance our College ethos in the shape of a rainbow.
Dr Susan Frenk, College Principal @ s.f.frenk@durham.ac.uk
Susan is Scottish but has also roamed the world and retains strong links in Latin America. Formerly a lecturer in MLAC, her research interests now focus on multi-disciplinary approaches to sex, gender and sexuality, contemporary Jewish Studies and refugee/diaspora experiences. Community building to promote social justice and an understanding of our shared humanity is her primary goal. Aidan’s is a community within communities, manifested in our relationship with Durham Pride, Durham City of Sanctuary, our Enterprise Forum (SIEF) and international networks like Women’s Economic Imperative. If you are interested in expanding our local and international community relationships, drop by her office or arrange to meet. Everyone can make a difference.
Dr Christopher Jones (X), Vice Principal @ christopher.c.jones@durham.ac.uk
Christopher is a Black African (who happens to be American) from Houston, Texas who joined the college in 2022 as the Assistant Principal but is now the new Vice Principal to start the 2024/25 academic year. Christopher is an athlete, early career research and scholar-activist whose ethos is underpinned by equity, diversity, inclusion, and love (EDIL). As an athlete, Christopher has travelled to various locations across Europe and the USA to play professionally. Christopher was also a scholarship student-athlete as an undergraduate in the USA and postgraduate at Durham University, representing the Men’s basketball programs. Christopher is now a volunteer for Team Durham to support player development in the Basketball program.
Regarding research, Christopher completed their PhD in Sociology and Social Policy for Durham University’s Department of Sociology (Summer 2022). Christopher’s research is predominantly around race/ethnic inequalities in education - intersected with other personal characteristics (e.g., Intersectionality). Christopher currently works with the university as an early career researcher and is attempting to promote and publish more of their ideas in academic journals and communal spaces. Additionally, Christopher has started a brand called Flippin’ and Vibin’, which seeks to empower and allow people to understand methods of de- and rehumanisation of the self and wider society on various platforms. A main feature is Christopher’s podcast, ‘The-Rehumanisation-Station’, which is on Spotify, YouTube, and Buzzsprout, where they interview people in any organisation doing transformative work. Principal Susan Frenk believes ‘everyone can make a difference’, so I suggest ‘Everyone HAS to matter’, and that is our driving force to establish EDIL.
Mr Shane McHugh, College Administration Co-ordinator and Co-Chair of Durham University LGBT+ Staff and Postgraduate Network @ Shane.A.McHugh@durham.ac.uk
Shane has been at Aidan's since 2019 where he took on the role of Student Support Administrator. From his past experience in the private accommodation industry and youth provision, Shane has a wide range of experience, interpersonal skills and knowledge surrounding student issues and how to overcome them. Shane has won and been nominated for various awards from the National Youth Agency. By the age of 19 Shane founded a regional young people's charity partnership, which collected gift packages. Within its foundation year over 19,000 gift packages were made and donated to young people across the region.
The scheme is still successfully running today! With these skills he has been able to break barriers within communities, implement change and ensure every young person/ student has the opportunity to shine which he continues to bring to Aidan's and in the wider world. Shane holds other roles within the University/ Community which include: Co-Chair of the LGBT+ Staff and Postgraduate network and is involved in empowering staff and students at a strategic University level. Durham Pride/ Rainbow Alliance committee executive member which organises/run Durham Pride each year. And is also a trustee and governor for various charities/ youth organisations and local schools.
Shane looks after the key Student/College administrative functions, Heads various WSE activities and offers personal advice and guidance to our students. If you need a chat, want some advice or want to run a project Shane's your guy.
Kate Anderson, Assistant Principal @ kate.a.anderson@durham.ac.uk
Kate joined the College in 2018 bringing with her a wealth of experience from informal education settings within the arts and voluntary sectors. Kate plays a key role in promoting the wider student experience within the College and providing student support. She also coordinates and manages the College library.
She is passionate about supporting student leadership and empowering students to get the most out of being a member of the Aidan’s College community. Have an idea that you’d like to see happen? Kate would love to hear about it and to see how we can assist you to develop it further. Feel free to call into her office on B Straight to say ‘hello’.
Dr Fiona Kaley, Assistant Student Support Officer @ Fiona.m.kaley@durham.ac.uk
Fiona joined St Aidan’s in April 23 as part of a new cohort of Assistant Student Support Officers recruited to colleges. She is a psychology graduate and since then has largely worked in support roles across Education, Health and Voluntary sectors. Her past roles range from Assistant Clinical Psychologist to Carer Support Coordinator, highlighting her empathy, problem-solving, and ability to build strong relationships. Fiona assists Kate in providing pastoral support to students and thoroughly enjoys being part of a team that is keen to ensure every student can perform at their best. So, if you have a question, it’s never too early or too late to ask!
Luca Hazlegreaves, Student Support Administrator @ luca.e.hazlegreaves@durham.ac.uk
Luca joined the Student Support Team in 2024, after coming to Aidan's as a postgraduate student while working towards his master’s degree in Translation in 2022. Prior to his Master's, Luca studied for his undergraduate degree in Chinese at the University of Edinburgh, which also allowed him to study abroad in Taiwan. Before taking up his current role, Luca spent time working as a Student Support Worker for neurodiverse and disabled students, which spurred a passion for inclusivity and accessibility in education. Luca's current interests lie in fostering a community where diversity is celebrated and everyone is given the opportunity to thrive.
Name
Position
Contact
John Hutchinson
Community Operations Team Leader
john.hutchinson@durham.ac.uk
Lesley Peak
Community Operations Manager
l.p.peak@durham.ac.uk
Diane Walker
Food & Beverages Manager
d.p.walker@durham.ac.uk
Beverly Garett
aidans.finance@durham.ac.uk
Carolyn Barker
Receptionist
carolyn.barker@durham.ac.uk
Una Elsy
una.elsy@durham.ac.uk
Joe Kelly
JCR President
president@st-aidans.com
JCR Treasurer
treasurer@st-aidans.com
Yuxin Li
SCR President
st-aidans.scr@durham.ac.uk
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