Dr Esther Wilkinson

Biography 

Esther joined the RAU in early 2023 after spending most of her 25 year career in sector agencies in higher education and research.

Esther spent nine years as Head of International at Jisc, the UK agency for digital, data and technology for higher and further education where she led international activities, partnerships and developed an international strategy.

Prior to this, Esther worked in various roles in higher education, previously as Assistant Director in the Universities UK International Unit delivering UK Government and overseas programmes. Esther also delivered a number of projects in the UK Research Councils for over 13 years; these included £multi-million Government longitudinal studies across the medical and social sciences, and as part of the team establishing the RCUK Strategy Unit (precursor to UK Research and Innovation). Other roles included working on the Beagle2 Mission to Mars at the Open University as ‘Planetary Protection Officer’ and a brief spell as a Police Officer in City of London Police. 

She has a First Class BSc (Hons), Diploma of Imperial College, and PhD in Chemistry from Imperial College.

As Director of Innovation and Learning, Esther leads professional services in core areas which support the academic endeavour at the University, including research, knowledge exchange, international and partnerships, laboratories, library and learning technology support.