Our People – Dr Regina Karousou
Dr Regina Karousou is Lead Neurodiversity and Specific Learning Differences (SpLD) Advisor at the University of Chichester.
Tell us about your role at the university.
My role is two-fold. I am the Lead Neurodiversity and Specific Learning Differences/Dyslexia Advisor and a Specialist Study skills tutor. As the lead, my role is to encourage and promote inclusivity through advising students and departments about all matters relating to neurodiversity, as well as manage a team of specialist study skills tutors. In my tutor role, I offer one-to-one support to neurodiverse students across the university.
When did you join and what brought you here?
Although I only joined last year, I am not new to the university. I was previously employed as a researcher and Associate Lecturer working closely with colleagues in Early Childhood Studies and Psychology. During those times I made a number of friends and enjoyed the collegial and positive atmosphere of the university. When I got asked to become the Lead Advisor, I jumped at the opportunity to come back!
What’s an average day at work like for you?
One of the things that I love about my job is that no two days are the same. One moment I might be working one-to-one with a first-year student, supporting them to navigate their transition to academic life; next I might be screening a student to identify their neurodiversity and advise them regarding their options; next I might be liaising with Student Finance England to query a student’s support and financial provision; or later that day I may be meeting with professional and academic colleagues to discuss policy.
What do you love most about working at the University of Chichester?
I know it sounds a cliché but I love the community feel of the university, with the students at the heart of what we do. Getting in to work takes me a good 20 minutes due to the number of times I get stopped by colleagues or students to ask for advice or to say hello. The university feels like a family to me; a place where we all know and support each other; one where it does not matter where you are in the hierarchy, everybody matters.
What is your greatest achievement in your job or research?
When students disclose their neurodiversity to me my first reaction is to say ‘amazing!’. I am passionate about helping us all to understand neurodiversity and the positive impact that such students can have on our community. I do this by working together with colleagues to better embed a proactive approach that allows us to meet the needs of students who were previously seen as the minority, and are increasingly becoming a significant proportion of the student population. And of course, I would not be able to do any of this without the rest of the student services team. We are a small but a mighty team of enthusiastic, quirky individuals who strive to make a difference for students and staff.
