In this edition of Spotlight, we focus on Jo Middleton, who ensures we have a pleasant and safe place to come to work each day as the Institute’s Safety and Regulatory Compliance Coordinator.
Hi Jo, tell us about your role – what does a typical day look like for you?
I am the Institute Safety and Regulatory Compliance Coordinator, so a lot of my job is mainly based around health and safety, and other regulations and how the Institute conforms to University policies and procedures. Many of my days involve reviewing lots of documents, such as risk assessments, COSHH forms (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations) and procedural documents, with a few meetings scattered throughout. However, I also spend a lot of time providing guidance to staff and students.
What first drew you to work in this field / at the University?
I started working as a lab technician in 2007 and have been working at the University ever since. Moving into health and safety was a progressive step after taking roles that focused on governing regulatory compliance, first in relation to Human Tissue regulations, and then becoming more involved with health and safety regulations. It was then a natural step to become the safety coordinator for the Institute.
What project or achievement are you most proud of so far?
During 2020, there was a lot to tackle, between COVID, Faculty restructuring, reopening buildings following the first lockdown, and using SafetyNet for ILCAMS documentation. My proudest achievement, though, was working alongside the other Institute safety coordinators when campus began reopening after the first COVID lockdown. Processes changed week-by-week from the government, so there was almost no downtime to stop as risk assessments needed to be updated, and guidance sent out to staff and students. I was also home-schooling two kids, so it was a very busy and stressful period, both at home and at work. All the Institute safety coordinators were nominated, and then we won a Staff Award for our hard work during COVID so I’m very proud of what we achieved.
What’s the most surprising or unexpected part of your job?
I never expected to enjoy a job where regulatory knowledge was involved, especially after having worked in labs for a long time. I still miss being in the labs and being very actively involved, but I’ve been able to use my experience to improve health and safety and provide better advice.
What do you enjoy most about working in our Institute community?
The variety and the people. The Institute has such a wide range of research and teaching, from medicine and dentistry student activity to our lab-based research. It definitely keeps me on my toes in terms of health and safety. There is also a lovely array of staff and students in the Institute, and a few of them have become good friends.
What’s one challenge you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?
I’ve been quite lucky that I’ve not had any major challenges in my career and my progression from lab technician to health and safety coordinator has been quite natural. There were a few curveballs when I had my kids, but mainly around changes to routine and juggling personal and professional responsibilities.
What inspires or motivates you outside of work? (e.g. hobbies, causes, family, travel, volunteering)
I love spending time with my kids, who are growing up fast, and we try to get outside as much as possible to enjoy walks. My son and I are obsessed with anything Marvel related, so there are a lot of cinema trips. I love swimming, so go to the gym as much as I can and sometimes go wild swimming with friends as long as it’s not too cold outside! I would love to be travelling non-stop – see the world, cultures, and people, but I will take it as an occasional treat when time allows.
If you could switch roles with someone else for a week, who would it be and why?
I would love to switch places with one of the researchers who use the GAIT lab in the William Henry Duncan building for dog studies. They always have a variety of dogs in – labradors, dachshunds, greyhounds, and whilst there would be research work to do, spending time with the dogs would be amazing!
What’s a fun fact about you that your colleagues might not know?
After I finished my University degree, I went solo travelling around the world for 4 months. I swam in the sea with sharks and manta rays, walked the Sydney Harbour Bridge, camped out in Australia even though I’m terrified of spiders, bungee jumped and went zorbing in New Zealand, and walked across the Golden Gate Bridge. It sparked my love for travelling and adventure.
Looking ahead, what’s one thing you’re excited about – professionally or personally – in the next year?
Hopefully, I will be moving house in the next year, so I’m excited to make new memories in a new home, whilst hoping that the DIY tasks are not too hefty.