Dr Amanda French is an Associate Professor in Teaching and Learning at Birmingham City University in the College of Education and Social Work. She has an established track record in research and development in Vietnam and the UK and is an experienced educational leader. Amanda worked for five years as Head of Department for Professional Development, Research and Enterprise and was the lead for a successful Departmental Athena SWAN application in 2023. She is an active member of several professional bodies and a Principal Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy. She has published in the fields of academic writing development, HE policy and WP transitions to HE, both nationally and internationally.