The ARC is supported by staff from the Research Services Directorate, many of whom are resident in the ARC to support day-today activities and the over-arching vision.
Professor Andrew Tobin
Director of the Advanced Research Centre
Andrew Tobin, Professor of Molecular Pharmacology, is the ARC's founding Director.
Professor Tobin joined the University of Glasgow in September 2016 and, as lead of the Technologies Touching Life theme, he has been closely involved with the development of the ARC since the project began. He is passionate about the opportunities this new building brings.
"I am delighted to have been asked to contribute to this fantastic project that underlines the commitment of the University to ground-breaking collaborative research across disciplines. The ARC, and the principles behind it, have been a long-term goal of the University. As a name, it encompasses our vision to conduct collaborative, out-of-reach research that has real societal impact.
It is so much more than a building. We want to take a shared vision and expertise from across all areas of the University community to genuinely transform the way we do research, with the ultimate aim of changing the lives of the people, community and world around us."
Dr John Harris
Head of Operations
Prior to joining the University as the Head of Operations for the ARC, John was the manager of the Queen Elizabeth Teaching and Learning Centre, where he played a key role in the setup and operational management of the teaching and research facility.
He is responsible for the planning and operational management required to deliver the daily operation of the building along with the wider aspirations of the ARC.
Dr Lisa Bradley
ARC Interdisciplinary Lead
Lisa is an anti-disciplinary scholar and methodologist who has worked across various fields including Education, Urban Studies, Public Policy, Cultural Studies, Criminology, and Craft. Her work is focused on practices of knowledge production and meaning-making, where she explores and challenges dominant knowledge practices as they relate to marginalised ways of knowing and being, including within academic spaces.
Lisa aims to study, research and promote interdisciplinarity within the ARC through a range of activities including creative practices, cross-disciplinary community building and development of a cross-disciplinary research culture. Lisa aims to reach out across the ARC to learn about different research areas and understand the barriers to collaborating across disciplinary boundaries.
Dr Laura Bell
ARC Development Manager
Laura oversees strategic development activities at the ARC, working with teams to foster collaboration, innovation and inter-disciplinary initiatives across the building.
Contact me about:
- Developing or supporting strategic initiatives or programmes that strengthen interdisciplinary research and innovation at the ARC.
- Connecting with people, opportunities or resources that support collaboration and research impact.
- Insights on ARC culture, resident experience and how we can enhance research success.
Carol-Anne Smith
ARC Technical Operations Manager
Carol-Anne manages all technical operations within the ARC with a focus on research laboratories. She leads a specialist team delivering an effective and efficient technical service enabling collaborative research across the ARC.
Contact me about:
- Lab logistics, technical services, and long-term operational planning to support strategic goals.
- Health, safety, and regulatory compliance within the research environment
- Facilitating effective collaborations between researchers
Aileen Gardner
Business Operations Manager
Aileen manages all non-technical business operations within the ARC and leads a team providing comprehensive administrative, financial, and clerical support to the ARC operations team.
Contact me about :
- Support for high profile/VIP visits
- Co-ordination of space reconfiguration and relocation activity
- Building access protocols
Temi Ajayi & Conor Molloy
ARC Administrator Receptionists
Temi and Conor are the first point of contact for staff, students, visitors, and members of the public, and carry out a wide range of reception and administration duties to support the operational running of the ARC.
Contact Temi and Conor for:
- Salto access and notification of new starts and leavers
- Locker support
- Non-lab maintenance issues, including printers
- Room booking assistance
- Content for ONELAN digital signage screens
Casi Dylan
Events and Engagement Manager
Casi manages the development and delivery of events at the ARC. Responsibilities range from overseeing programme development, ensuring high-quality and accessible delivery of core activity, to managing event space operations. A commitment to connecting with new and diverse public audiences is central to the role.
Contact me about:
- Developing strategic, research-led event partnerships that support the ARC’s mission as a gateway for research engagement.
- Ideas for developing activity that reflects and enriches the interdisciplinary research culture of the ARC and wider University.
- Innovative and meaningful ways to connect new and diverse audiences to the events programme.
Please note: general enquiries about hosting your event at the ARC should be sent to ARCEngage@glasgow.ac.uk
Hannah Campbell
Events & Exhibitions Producer
Hannah oversees events and exhibition programming, producing, and delivering of a range of diverse events and exhibitions at the ARC, while building relationships with researchers and groups in the city. She ensures the smooth running of the ARC’s busy events calendar, ensuring a welcoming and positive experience for visitors to the venue.
Contact me about:
- Public and community engagement and the development of interdisciplinary research events and exhibitions for a range of different audiences.
- The ways the ARC Events and Engagement team embed sustained partnerships with key Glasgow cultural institutions and other civic stakeholders.
- The ARC as a venue, and ways to make the most of the space for your events and exhibitions.
Please note: general enquiries about hosting your event at the ARC should be sent to ARCEngage@glasgow.ac.uk
Laura Tyler
Research Communications Manager & ARC Communications Lead
The Research Communications team from the Research Services Directorate lead on ARC Communications. Working with colleagues from across the University, particularly closely with colleagues in External Relations, the team are involved in the full breadth of communications activities including social media (running the ARC X account), events, web pages, video content, photography and internal communications.
Laura and Nick provide professional advice and support to colleagues throughout the ARC. You will often see them in the ARC looking for volunteers willing to participate in videos or photo shoots, often using cake for motivation!
Nick Bruce
Research Communications Officer
Nick supports communications projects for the ARC and Research Services and manages the directorate’s web content. He’s responsible for the ARC residents’ newsletter, ARC Life and hosts the Research Stories podcast.
Contact me about:
- ARC Life
- research webpages
- podcasts
Charlotte Reid
Senior Videographer
Charlotte creates high quality video content about the innovative research that happens in the ARC and across the University. Responsibilities include video production (filming and editing), finding research stories and online distribution.
Contact me about:
- Creating video content about University of Glasgow research or an ARC-based project you're involved in
- Accessing copies of ARC/research video content that you'd like to use in your communications
- Advice on how to create your own content or distribute it online
Ken Skeldon
Research Engagement Manager
Ken supports strategic engagement activities across the University, with a particular interest in engaged research, European partnerships, novel approaches to foster collaboration and cross-College, cross-directorate initiatives.
Contact me about:
- Developing or supporting strategic initiatives around engaged research.
- Support with domestic and European grants, in particular the embedding of engagement plans, and in the case of Horizon Europe bids, impact and dissemination work packages.
- Opportunities for research enrichment within the CIVIS European University Alliance, including through the Open Lab network
- Ideas for use of ARC infrastructures for research engagement activities, including the new ARC MakerSpace
Tracy Ross
Administrative Assistant
Tracy provides wide ranging administrative and financial support to the ARC operations team and to diverse projects within the building.
Contact me about:
- Salto access protocols
- ARC finance
- General enquiries
Kelly Hawkins
ARC Technical Operations Assistant
Kelly manages specified shared laboratories and facilities, including cell culture laboratories and the MakerSpace, in addition to overseeing ARC washroom operations.
Contact me about:
- ARC lab services and charges
- Shared cell culture facilities
- ARC MakerSpace
David Tehrani
ARC Stores Manager
David manages all aspects of the ARC Store.
Contact me about:
- ARC specialist waste management and sustainability
- ARC compressed gas ordering and safety
- Courier shipments of research material
David McCann
ARC Stores Assistant
David supports all activities of the ARC Store
Contact me about:
- ARC deliveries and collections
- In-building deliveries
- Courier shipments of research material
Sepideh Sandoghchi
ARC Laboratory Assistant
Sepi is responsible for day-to-day running of the ARC glasswash and sterilisation facility.
Contact me about:
- Autoclaving (sterilisation or biological waste disposal)
- Laboratory glasswashing
- Lab coat laundry
Dr Joseph Steel
ARC Technical Operations Lead
Joe manages technical aspects of research laboratories, shared facilities and infrastructure on behalf of the Technical Operations Manager
Contact me about:
- ARC laboratory equipment maintenance and compliance
- Specialist technical advice, training, and user support on ARC research equipment
- Core equipment health and safety