Scott Tompsett

Date joined RB&I and previous employment

Scott joined RB&I in January 2022. Previously he worked as Project Manager on the ESF funded Trio Sci Cymru project based in IBERS and Physics.

Main responsibilities at previous employment

Scott managed the delivery of science outreach workshops with partner secondary schools in the convergence zone. This included working with academics to develop age appropriate face to face, hybrid and interactive online resources based on their research. He co-managed a team of outreach associates and AberWorks students to deliver the programme. In addition, he worked closely with other joint beneficiaries Bangor and Cardiff University to conduct research into effective means of universities conducting schools outreach.

Education and work experience

Scott holds an undergraduate degree in both European History and Marine Biology. He completed his PhD in Marine Biology at Aberystwyth in 2010. His work experience includes eight years working as secondary school teacher, a period working in marketing for Environment Agency's Flood Awareness Campaign and most recently managing externally funded projects at Aberystwyth University. During the pandemic he was also seconded as an associate lecturer within IBERS teaching Level 1 and 2 courses. In addition to this he has run his own small business offering guided cycle tours in the Cambrian mountains.

Experience and knowledge

Scott has strong experience in teaching and training, in particular, developing resources for face to face, hybrid and online interactive courses. He is confident at presenting training courses and has a strong eye for effective evaluation of outcomes. From his previous work at the University he has developed keen project management skills, focused on budget management, grant compliance and internal customer service at the interface between the academic and professional services.

Main responsibilities within RB&I

Project management of the Research Management System (Worktribe) implementation and roll-out. The main responsibilities in this project have been to manage an internal project team, tasked with customising Worktribe for AU and creating the necessary integrations other university software systems. The role has also entailed managing the ongoing relationship with the supplier's project management team. In addition to this he has been involved in scoping and negotiating the purchase and application of a Welsh language web proxy to provide compliance to AU language policy. Internally he has been responsible for risk management and reporting to the Board and Exec as a major project. Scott has also been responsible for the development of a communications and training package for end users.

Project management of WEFO funded Sêr Cymru projects. This role has included management and reporting of budgets on large research projects across four departments. It has also involved streamlining document retention for project closure.

Most enjoyable part of working at Aberystwyth University

Scott particularly enjoys working in RB&I, as it offers him the opportunity to work with a range of academics across the university and contribute to a wide variety of research projects. He especially enjoys the customer service role and gets a great feeling of job satisfaction from contributing to the success of these projects and seeing the impact that these have in the wider world.