1) Claire Jagger (24th March) - Living with OCD and anxiety has meant regularly challenging myself, my assumptions, and the systems around me. My story explores how a condition that can feel debilitating has also shaped my personality, resilience and perspective. Hear about the highs and lows of that journey, and how I’ve worked to become the best version of myself along the way.

2) Rob Severn (17th April) - I followed my family into the Police Service, spending eight years in uniform responding to 999 calls before moving into detective and CID roles. I progressed through the ranks to Sergeant in 2000 and later Detective Chief Inspector, serving across CID, Public Protection and the Regional Homicide Unit until retiring in 2020. After leading the design of a new sexual assault referral centre, I began exploring how my skills could transfer beyond policing. With my children’s positive university experiences in mind, I looked to the sector for a new challenge and joined Estates and Facilities in a Business Support role during Covid. Five years on, I continue to apply those transferable skills and learn every day. My story is about embracing change, taking risks, and not being afraid to try something new.

3) Rachel Van Krimpen (28th April) - I’ve been at the University of Nottingham since 2010, and will talk about navigating career progression, balancing work and maternity leaves, and the process of carving out my own niche over time. I’ll also reflect on the value of external networks, the role that reflective practice has played in my development, and how coaching, mentoring and positive role models have supported me through different challenges along the way.

4) Dave Butler (11th May) - I began my career in a junior role within Catering Services and eventually progressed to Head Chef before making a significant shift from the kitchen to an office‑based role. This transition meant moving from leading a team to becoming the most junior member of a new one. I’ll share what I learned along the way, how I navigated this change, and how I’ve grown in my new career.

5) Charlotte Kingsbury (1st June) -I reflect on how my mental health, neurodivergence, disability, difficulties in starting a family and compulsory redundancy have all shaped a very squiggly yet satisfying fifteen years at the University so far. My journey has included roles in HR, DTS and the VC’s Office, moving forwards, backwards and sideways along the way.

6) Mike Lear (17th June) - Starting as a casual catering assistant, I progressed through operational kitchen and leadership roles before moving into my current position as a Food & Beverage Manager within Catering Services. My journey has taken me from hands‑on chef work to managing back‑of‑house operations for the catered halls on University Park. Hear about how I navigated the shift into management, developed people and projects, and balanced day‑to‑day operational delivery with long‑term strategic work, including leading initiatives such as the Catering Pathways Academy.

7) Vic Sun (30th June) - My story is a reminder that careers don’t just happen — we shape them. When I arrived in the UK in 2022, I was adjusting to a new country, a new HE system and a newborn, all while working in a role that didn’t align with my experience, making progression feel unclear. In 2025, I chose to take ownership by completing targeted training, expanding my networks and working closely with a supportive manager, and I’m now building a clear path toward becoming a research support specialist with the direction I’d been seeking.