Staff Profile

Jo is part of the University's Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) fund project team, supporting initiatives aimed at maximising the societal and economic impact of social science research. This innovative project focuses on several key objectives, including supporting the implementation of high-impact projects, fostering collaborative partnerships and networks, accelerating challenge-led commercial innovation, and offering training and capacity-building opportunities for researchers and partners involved.

Find out more about the University's ESRC IAA here

Beyond her involvement in the ESRC IAA, Jo supports Dr. Fiona Whitehurst on various creativity and entrepreneurship projects tailored for small businesses in the region. These initiatives, such as the Captured Programme, Your Enterprise, Pop-up Primer Pilot Programme, and Commercialise without Compromise, reflect Jo's commitment to driving innovation and growth within local businesses.

Jo's professional journey includes earning an MA in Cultural Management from Northumbria University in 2004. Following her academic pursuits, she gained practical experience as a marketing manager for a small research and business consultancy. Subsequently, Jo ventured into entrepreneurship, establishing her own venture to provide freelance digital and creative support to small businesses on both regional and national scales. Jo is also a director of Network Artists North East, a membership organisation for visual artists in the North East region.

It's Jo's rich background and comprehensive understanding of small business needs that position her as a valuable asset to the programmes she is involved in and the small business owners engaging with the university. Her hands-on experience not only enhances the effectiveness of the initiatives she contributes to but also ensures a high level of support for the entrepreneurs seeking guidance and collaboration with the university.