Who are you and what do you do?

I am a Chartered Architect and the senior responsible officer for the Estates and Digital Strategies at The Glasgow School of Art. My team manage the physical and digital infrastructure including capital projects, information technology, audio visual systems, cyber security, maintenance, security, facilities, catering, residences, sustainability, space, health and safety. I work closely with other members of the GSA Senior team to ensure what we do this in line with academic requirements. 

On a personal note, I am married to a very supportive husband and we have a daughter and son who all bring me great joy. 

What is your proudest career accomplishment? 

I’ve loved being involved with various university masterplans in my home city of Glasgow and seeing them develop over the years. I’ve also enjoyed working with and developing student interns/ year -out architecture students and subsequently seeing their careers prosper. 

What is your favourite thing about your career?

My career has enabled me to secure travel scholarships and speak at international conferences in Nashville, Sydney, Amsterdam and Trondheim. The highlights are always the people you meet, local customs and shared learnings. 

Describe University Design Forum in a sentence 

The Forum inspires people to come together to share their creativity through our research and events for the benefit of higher education. 

What is your contribution to University Design Forum?

I’ve been an active member of the Forum since 2001, participating in events, contributing to research projects including the learning spaces toolkit, the future of the academic office and the RIBA published Future Campus book. In the 25th year of my membership and as a trustee it is an honour to take on the Chair of the University Design Forum. 

What does a good HE building mean to you. 

A good University building should be a delight whether you are a student, staff member or visitor it should make you feel comfortable and inspire you to be the best you can be. 

One thing about you that will surprise people. 

I don’t think there is anything surprising about me but when I said I was going to walk the West Highland Way in the summer (a 96 mile hike from Milngavie to Fortwilliam) that seemed to surprise a few people. 

Future of learning: green or bleak? 

It has to be Green and collectively we need to find a more environmentally and financially sustainable model for higher education. In my role as Chair of the Scottish Association of Directors of Estates I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to the joint Universities Scotland and Scottish Government Future Framework project that is looking at this. The University Design Forum can also strongly play its part in this. 

What is your favourite building? 

I have an ever-growing list of favourites including Notre-Dame du Haut in Ronchamp, France. I saw this on a field trip when I was in 2nd year studying Architecture. I remember the dramatic drive up to the building and then once there the way Le Corbusier had captured the light through stained glass windows in a magical way to dapple colour into the interior. This had an emotional impact on me and really brought home to me the power of good design. 

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? 

A ballerina, inspired by seeing Margot Fonteyn when I was a child.

Thank you Eleanor, and congratulations on your recent appointment as Chair of the Forum.

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