Spotlight on... Ellen Gallagher
Published: 25 April 2016
We catch up with staff at the School who have recently joined or are long-standing members of the community. Ellen Gallagher will be familiar to many alumni as the School’s Law workshop librarian, where she has worked for over twenty years.
We catch up with staff at the School who have recently joined or are long-standing members of the community. Ellen Gallagher will be familiar to many alumni as the School’s Law workshop librarian, where she has worked for over twenty years.
Q: When did you come to work in the workshop?
A: I have worked in the Law Workshop since 1993. My contract, when I first started, was term time only. I job shared with Fiona Gordon for 15 years. We worked really well together and when Fiona retired in 2008 I took on the job full time.
Q: How has the workshop changed over the years?
A: Law Libraries are rapidly changing environments and the Workshop is no different in that respect. The transition from print to online resources has seen a fundamental shift in the way we do things and daily brings new challenges. The Workshop has adapted well to developments over the years and continues to provide a service which responds to the School’s teaching and research requirements.
Q: What you like most about the Workshop?
A: The School of Law is such a vibrant place to work and there is a great community spirit here. The Law Workshop is the social hub in which students have an opportunity to make contact with other students. Knowing that I will be available to help students and provide them with solutions to problems is very satisfying. We also have a large number of international students who use the Workshop and it is wonderful to see so many cross-cultural friendships develop.
Q: What has been the highpoint of your career so far?
A: There have been many highlights over the years. It was particularly pleasing recently to be shortlisted by the Students’ Representative Council for a Student Teaching Award in the category of Best Support Staff. I was delighted to have been nominated. It is good to know that the students appreciate all the hard work done by academic and support staff in the University.
Q: What motivates you to get up on a Monday morning?
A: I do love my job. The School of Law is a pleasant environment in which to work and the students and my colleagues are very friendly. Not knowing what the next enquiry will bring, be it from a student, an academic colleague or from someone outside the university, is the aspect of my job which I like best.
Q: Favourite spot on campus?
A: I particularly love the landscaped area behind the Stair Building. This is the area where, weather permitting, the School of Law staff host the Graduation Day reception for the students and their families. It is always such a magical day and it is fantastic to see the students so happy.
First published: 25 April 2016