Angela Truesdale
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR ROLE
Manage all non-academic functions of a large clinical department, which has 2 large institutes, The Botnar Research Centre and the Kennedy Institute.
Joined the graduate entry scheme of the British Council in 1979, which had a framework for teaching management skills. My final post with the British Council was Head of the Oxford Regional Office. I then joined the University in February 1997, starting in CONTED as Deputy Administrator. Joined Nuffield Department of Orthopaedic Surgery (NDOS) in June 1998 as Administrator (renamed NDORMS in 2004).
There has always been a close relationship between NDOS/NDORMS and Engineering Science and there are research collaborations with a number of other clinical departments by both Institutes.
WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL ASPECT OF YOUR WORK?
Making sure that researchers are properly supported in their work by efficient support teams so that their research can grow and develop. Keeping the department solvent financially.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT SOMETHING YOU'VE DONE, CONTRIBUTED TO THAT YOU'RE MOST PROUD OF?
The first phase of the Botnar Research Centre, which I was involved with from the beginning, was opened in 2002, which transformed the research prospects of NDOS/NDORMS. This was followed by phase 2 in 2013 and phase 3, which is due to open in May 2021.
The successful transfer of the Kennedy Institute from Imperial College in 2011. I reorganised and expanded the support teams to cope with supporting 2 research institutes as part of the larger department, which had doubled in size overnight.
Managed the transfer of Centre for Statistics in Medicine from Oncology to NDORMS in 2013, which led to the formation of the registered Oxford Clinical Trials Unit, based in the Botnar Research Centre.
NDOS/NDORMS has grown from a small department of apx 20 employees when I joined in 1998 to 450 employees in 2020.
I have an empathetic and inclusive management style which values everybody’s role in supporting the research of the department. The feedback I have received is that this has contributed to staff retention. Employees report feeling confident and content, as they feel valued and supported.
WHAT CHANGES WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO SEE IN THE MEDICAL SCIENCES IN THE NEXT 100 YEARS?
More women and greater diversity amongst senior roles.
