Victoria Newson
Sheffield,United Kingdom
Summary
Academic and study skills lecturer with over nine years of experience in higher education across the UK and Canada. Expertise in academic development and inclusive teaching, focusing on student-centered support. Proven track record in designing and implementing high-impact initiatives that empower diverse learners to excel academically and transition into successful careers.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Academic and Study Skills Lecturer
Global Banking School
Leeds, England
01.2024 - Current
- Design and deliver inclusive and accessible courses on critical thinking and writing, responsible use of AI, research skills and methodology and digital resources, incorporating a range of learning technologies.
- Plan and implement focused multi-day events featuring workshops, Q&A panels and peer-support sessions. Topics covered include dissertation success, exam strategies, time management and effective note-taking.
- Deliver and evaluate teaching sessions, identifying areas for improvement to enhance the quality of teaching, learning and the overall student experience, in line with GBS's Learning and Teaching Strategy.
- Provide timely and constructive feedback on both individual and group progress in academic writing and other study skills.
- Offer one-to-one tutorial consultations, giving personalised feedback tailored to each student's needs. Clearly explain areas where work does not meet assessment criteria and suggest actionable strategies for improvement. Record these sessions for statistical, evaluation, and quality assurance purposes and refer students to appropriate support services when necessary.
- Support the recruitment, training, line management and motivation of academic assistants and peer tutors, ensuring high performance at both individual and team levels.
Academic and Study Skills Tutor
University of Sheffield
Sheffield, England
03.2021 - 05.2025
- Conduct one-on-one academic and study-skill consultations (online and in-person), accommodating diverse accessibility needs throughout each session. Topics include: critical thinking and writing, critical use of AI, research methodologies, exam preparation and time management.
- Create, develop and facilitate accessible and DEI aligned active-learning workshops tailored for diverse learning styles for up to 350 participants online and 40 participants in person. Topics include: critical writing, presentation skills, project development and research.
- Identify gaps in support materials and create new accessible resources (web pages, workshops, Xerte, Kaltura, etc.), driving significant engagement (Xerte resource had 2,225+ views in six months) and use peer and student feedback to update frequently.
- Evaluate learning and assistive technologies to support accessibility, delivering evidence-based recommendations to improve accessibility and learning outcomes.
- Signpost and refer students and academic staff to the appropriate departments and resources and provide informed guidance in accordance with service policies.
- Produce high quality written notes and email correspondences.
- Monitor and record student notes, appointments, attendance and workshops.
- Collaborate flexibly within and with an interdisciplinary team and coordinate with multiple university academic and support departments to ensure accessible and inclusive delivery of all programs, achieving measurable impact.
- Completed training in mental health support to better identify and respond to student wellbeing needs.
- Provided expert guidance on creating accessible web content, updating the Xerte user guide and developing a showcase resource.
- Conducted comprehensive VLE accessibility audits for 50+ UG and PGT modules, writing and compiling reports and delivering actionable feedback to ensure compliance with institutional and UK legal standards. Collaborated with academic staff to implement recommendations, achieving a 98% compliance rate within six months and measurable improvements in student digital-accessibility satisfaction.
- Evaluated learning technologies through diagnostic testing and concise functionality reports, identifying the most accessible software for varied learning needs.
- Filmed and edited short videos using Premiere Pro for departments and conferences. Received positive feedback from staff and attendees.
- Led all aspects of a student-focused podcast: developed episode content, coordinated interviews and schedules between two departments, served as Head of Marketing, and edited audio using Audacity/Adobe Audition.
Digital Learning Associate
University of Sheffield
Sheffield, England
10.2022 - 08.2023
- Completed VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) checklists to ensure all module content—including sections and attached documents—was accessible, correctly formatted, properly organised and logically connected.
- Provided actionable feedback to lecturers and departments on improving the accessibility, structure and content of Blackboard modules.
- Assessed the effectiveness of various learning and assistive technologies, offering informed recommendations and explaining their functionalities to students.
- Updated the online Xerte guide and designed a new Xerte resource to demonstrate its teaching capabilities to prospective users.
- Created a dedicated webpage explaining how exam accommodations work in practice, aimed at demystifying the process and reducing exam-related anxiety. This included organising and conducting student interviews, and writing up their testimonials.
- Developed podcast episodes highlighting students' authentic experiences (e.g., international student life, postgraduate research, mental health during exams), managing all aspects of production—interview scheduling, departmental coordination, branding and social media setup. Edited episodes using Audacity and/or Adobe Audition.
- Conducted student interviews and edited a video from an education conference using Adobe Premiere Pro. The final video received positive feedback from conference attendees.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Sheffield
Sheffield, England
01.2019 - 12.2021
- Co-designed one UG and two PGT modules(research skills and dissertation)
- Designed and facilitated accessible seminars on archaeological and transferable‑skill topics for cohorts of 15+ students, incorporating active‑learning strategies and laboratory demonstrations. Continuously updated seminar content based on student feedback to ensure relevance and accessibility.
- Maintained and updated Blackboard course modules, including assessment setup, submission procedures and conducted Ally accessibility audits and revised content to meet accessibility guidelines.
- Assessed student assignments (essays and presentations) and provided detailed, actionable feedback, including clear signposting to additional university resources.
- Supervised UG and PGT research projects as second and third supervisor. Facilitated student progress through regular supervision meetings, collaboration, and feedback.
- Collaborated with different departments to develop individualised learning support plans and exam accommodations.
- Mentored and trained new GTAs, ensuring consistent delivery of high‑quality teaching standards.
Bilingual Data Analyst
Ministry of Senior Affairs, Government of Ontario
Toronto, Canada
09.2017 - 09.2018
- Managed and trained a diverse team of 10 contracted data-entry officers.
- Maintained legacy data systems and led the successful implementation of a new departmental database, ensuring data quality and integrity.
- Evaluated the new system's impact via focus groups, surveys, and data analysis.
- Trained employees of all levels on the 2016 database and authored a comprehensive training guidance packet.
- Analysed data and produced bilingual written reports for internal ministers.
- Communicated technical concepts, figures, and statistics to non-technical audiences on a bi-weekly basis, using multiple technologies to ensure accessibility and clear communication.
- Assessed grant applications against government criteria and allocated funding to community projects that promoted DEI and social inclusion, upholding data security and integrity.
Digital Learning Officer (Remote)
University of Toronto
Toronto, Canada
09.2016 - 09.2017
- Provided front-line advice, training and support on using learning technologies and raising awareness of learning technology options.
- Delivered induction and staff-development sessions, including guidance documentation, to promote adoption of new and existing online tools.
- Provided guidance and support to staff on digital accessibility issues.
- Developed engaging, accessible online learning content and simulated practice activities using third-party platforms.
- Evaluated, tested, and recommended learning technologies to enhance teaching effectiveness.
Teaching Assistant
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, Canada
01.2014 - 06.2016
- Co-designed two undergraduate modules with supervisor.
- Designed and facilitated accessible, active-learning seminars on diverse archaeological topics for 15+ students, iteratively updating content based on feedback.
- Assessed essays and presentations, delivering clear, actionable feedback and directing students to relevant university resources.
- Held office hours to advise on both methodological and study-skill development, including effective use of learning technologies.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Archaeology and Prehistory
UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD
Sheffield 10.2018 -
MA - Mediterranean Archaeology
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
London 09.2016 - 09.2017
Honours (BA) - Near Eastern and Classical Archaeology
WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY
Waterloo, ON 09.2012 - 06.2016
Skills
- IT Literacy
- Software and Mediums: R, HTML, Articulate, Xerte, Kaltura, Premier Pro, Audacity, LaTax and Adobe Audition
- Learning technologies
- Data Collection and Analysis
- Creative Problem Solving
- Educational Creativity
- Evidence Based Teaching
- Active Learning Teaching
- Project Management
Languages
English
Native
French
Native
Western Armenian
Native
Eastern Armenian
Upper intermediate
German
Upper intermediate
Timeline
Academic and Study Skills Lecturer
Global Banking School
01.2024 - Current
Digital Learning Associate
University of Sheffield
10.2022 - 08.2023
Academic and Study Skills Tutor
University of Sheffield
03.2021 - 05.2025
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Sheffield
01.2019 - 12.2021
Doctor of Philosophy - Archaeology and Prehistory
UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD
10.2018 -
Bilingual Data Analyst
Ministry of Senior Affairs, Government of Ontario
09.2017 - 09.2018
MA - Mediterranean Archaeology
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
09.2016 - 09.2017
Digital Learning Officer (Remote)
University of Toronto
09.2016 - 09.2017
Teaching Assistant
Wilfrid Laurier University
01.2014 - 06.2016
Honours (BA) - Near Eastern and Classical Archaeology
WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY
09.2012 - 06.2016
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