ASPIRE
Do you want to discover if your business idea could work? Or how to embed ethical and responsible practices in your new business? Whatever your aspirations, ASPIRE, our Accelerator Space for Innovation and Responsible Enterprise can help.
People
The Institute has a Director, Catherine Richardson, and a Director of Culture and Creative Projects, David Sefton. Our Deputy Director, Caroline Li, leads on internationalisation and cutting-edge creative technologies.
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Professor Catherine Richardson
Catherine is Director of the Institute and leads on programme design and research project co-ordination.
David Sefton
David is Director of Culture and Creative Projects and has responsibility for external relationships and the development of our civic engagement.
Dr Caroline Li
Caroline is Deputy Director and leads on internationalisation and cutting-edge creative technologies.
Meet the team
Eileen Hartney
Liaison and Engagement Officer
Eileen Hartney is Liaison and Engagement Officer. She helps to secure and enhance internal and external relationships and supports the development of strategic and sustainable connections with key external bodies, business and education providers.
Dr Tim Ireland
Senior Lecturer and Director of Digital Architecture
Dr Tim Ireland is a UK registered architect who, having worked in small-scale private and large-scale international practices in the UK and overseas, turned to focus on his interests in natural systems and computation.
Dr Lisa Lin
Lecturer in Media Studies
Dr Lisa Lin is a media scholar and documentary producer who is interested in exploring the correlations between technology and creativity.
Dr Mike Green
Lecturer in Digital Media and Programme Director
Dr Mike Green is an Adobe Certified Associate in Visual Communication using Photoshop, a member of the Creative Industries Federation, a member of D&AD, and is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Daniel Harding
Head of Music Performance
Daniel is an experienced accompanist and repetiteur. He is also a keen jazz pianist and he conducts the University Chamber Choir,
Dr Eleanor Perry
Lecturer in Creative Writing (Poetry)
Dr Eleanor Perry is a Lecturer in Creative Writing in the School of English. Her creative and critical teaching is driven by a commitment to helping students find practical and innovative ways to articulate their ideas.
Dr John Wills
Reader in American History and Culture
Dr John Wills is Reader in American History and Culture. He specialises in game studies, environmental history, parks, tourism and recreation, and Hollywood film.
Becky Lees
Programme and Creative Engagement Manager
Becky is responsible for all ICCI's public programmes across Gulbenkian, bOing! International Family Festival and other community settings and festivals. She also leads on our ART31 project engaging children and young people across Kent.
Liz Moran
Fellow Emerita, ICCI
Liz was the Director of the Gulbenkian from 2011 to 2018 and became Partnerships Director for ICCI in 2019.
Emma Wilcox
Project Director, Creative Estuary
As Project Director Emma leads and manages Creative Estuary, developing and nurturing relationships to ensure the project's visibility and success.
Natalie Parsons
Project Officer, Creative Estuary
Natalie provides administrative and project management support, building vital relationships with other University departments and external organisations.
Daniel Kirby
Programme and Creative Engagement Assistant
Primarily based at the Gulbenkian Theatre, Daniel helps to facilitate the delivery of youth arts opportunities.
Sophie Meikle
Kent Music Administrator
Sophie is first point of contact for Kent Music bookings and events
Quotation
I want to learn from comparisons between past and present aspects of inclusion and diversity in the Cultural and Creative Industries, and to ensure that we will still be inspiring new audiences and practices in 400 years' time.
Quotation
The ASPIRE team
Rebecca Smith
Rebecca joined the ASPIRE team four years ago and is responsible for all aspects of the University’s accelerator space and its programmes.
Jo Pullen
Jo works across corporate, public and third sector organisations using Ideo, Agile and Design Thinking practices to find innovative person-centred solutions.
Karen Winton
Former financial journalist, Karen, has worked globally with angel investors, VCs and online funding platforms. She is now based in London working with start-ups and launching her own business.
Jason Marshall
Jason is a successful IT consultant and works in the School of Computing KITC. Jason can help test the viability and feasibility of your business propositions with a focus on innovative technology ideas.
Adam Smith
Adam set up his own management consultancy business and has now diversified into angel investing in start-up companies. On the Business Start-Up Journey, Adam mentors you through the process, providing critical support and advice.