Jay is a research and engagement professional with experience delivering interdisciplinary collaboration, academic communications, and strategic project support across sustainability, data, and innovation-led research. He holds an MSc in Intercultural Communication for Business and the Professions, a qualification that strengthens his ability to facilitate collaboration across diverse teams, translate complex research for wider audiences, and manage stakeholder engagement in international and institutional contexts.
Jay previously worked at the Birmingham Plastics Network (BPN), where he played a key role in advancing cross-disciplinary collaboration between science, engineering, social sciences, and the arts. He coordinated a major university-wide research workshop at Edgbaston Park Hotel, overseeing logistics, participant engagement, agenda development, and internal communications. He also led the production of external-facing content to communicate BPN’s impact to wider audiences and helped integrate research priorities into institutional planning.
In his current role as Research and Engagement Support Officer for BISCA and IDAI, Jay provides joint support to two flagship institutes focused on sustainability and AI/data science. Working closely with the Head of Institute Operations and Project Manager, he contributes to the design, coordination, and evaluation of research networks, thematic workshops, and funding-linked initiatives. He supports the planning and delivery of events, horizon scanning, research mapping, and the dissemination of outcomes and opportunities to academic and non-academic stakeholders.
Jay has experience maintaining internal systems such as PURE, managing event communications, and liaising with academic, professional, and external partners. His responsibilities also include supporting budget tracking, procurement processes, stakeholder reporting, and process improvement for collaborative research initiatives. He plays a key role in enabling the institutes’ communication strategies, helping to ensure the visibility, coherence, and impact of interdisciplinary work.
With a background in intercultural communication and a strong understanding of higher education operations, Jay is adept at navigating complex institutional settings and supporting inclusive and outward-facing research cultures. He is committed to enabling research that delivers real-world relevance, and he actively contributes to internal networks and capacity-building across the University.