Lecturers are highly valued at Nottingham Trent University

Dr Sarah Broadberry is a Principal Lecturer at the School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Science at Nottingham Trent University. She started working at Nottingham Trent University in 2001 when she was lucky enough to get her break in lecturing while doing her PhD. Although she never had any ambition to teach, she just fell in love with it.

"I absolutely love my job – and you can quote me on that!" says Sarah.

Students come first

Sarah believes that what makes Nottingham Trent University special as a learning environment is the value they put on good teaching. "That sounds simple, but they’ve really worked hard on the balance between teaching and research," says Sarah. "The students come first at NTU, and for someone like me – who isn’t as heavily involved on the research side, but loves working with students – that approach is reassuring. There’s great research going on here, but they also harness and reward that passion for developing knowledge in the classroom."

Phenomenal support

Sarah says she has received phenomenal support at Nottingham Trent University and believes that it’s something people should know about. Sarah has had two periods of maternity leave, and also a significant period of illness in 2016: at every step, Sarah has felt accommodated and respected. Nottingham Trent University valued Sarah as a colleague, and an academic, and a mum: because of that, she has been able to achieve the kind of work-life balance she didn't think would be possible.

A fantastic place to work

"It’s a genuinely fantastic place to work. People don’t leave Brackenhurst: the place means so much to us all. It’s stunning, and they’re improving it all the time," says Sarah. "If I’m having a rough day, I just go outside for a walk – there’s so much beautiful space and freedom to clear your head. We’ve even started having walking meetings in the department, and holding your meetings in a rose garden really makes a difference!"

Sarah loves the approach to conservation and sustainability here. "It’s just so ingrained in the culture of our students: if we didn't satisfy that, they wouldn't be here. There’s so many schemes being introduced all the time, and it feels like we’re streets ahead of many other universities in that regard," adds Sarah.

Aside from her teaching, Sarah is also heavily involved in Nottingham Trent University's Success For All programme, and she is their Athena SWAN champion. "They’re initiatives I feel passionately about, and as time goes by the scope of them continues to broaden, becoming more and more inclusive," comments Sarah. "We’re creating an environment that allows everyone to succeed at NTU – colleagues and students alike. In that regard, you really do get back what you put in here – and you can count on being supported and encouraged all the way."