Dr Emma Compton-Daw

Researcher Development Manager

Organisational And Staff Development Unit

Personal statement

I am the Academic Development Lead for Research, based in the Organisational and Staff Development Unit at the University of Strathclyde. My role includes development and delivery of the SPARK and SPIRAL programmes as well as PGR Supervisor training at Strathclyde. These programmes support the professional and career development of academic and research staff at Strathclyde. I also deliver researcher development activities for institutions across the UK.

I am the Vitae Scotland Regional Representative, a member of the Expert Review Panel for the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and a reviewer for the European Commission HR Excellence in Research Award.

My research focuses on researcher and academic career development during career transitions.

In a previous life, I was a membrane protein structural biologist working at the University of Dundee, the National Institutes of Health (USA) and the University of Bristol. Whilst at the University of Dundee, I co-chaired the UK Research Staff Association and the College of Life Sciences Research Staff Association.

Publications

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Publications

Collaborative Cultures Programme : Mid-Project Report - May 2025: Weikum Maria Katharina, Graham Angela, Sin I Lin, Salamon Katrina, Wells-Holland Chris, Murkett Grace, Compton-Daw Emma, Mahn Churnjeet; (2025)
Valuing the Impact of Researcher Developers : What is it that we do?: MacKenzie Heather, Wadman Rosie, Howe Catherine, Thompson Lisa, Compton-Daw Emma; (2021)
Learner agreements : pedagogy and practice for blended/online learning: Morrissey Sean, Savage Katy, Compton-Daw Emma; Advance HE Teaching and Learning Conference 2020 (2020)
Supporting a cohort of technical staff toward achieving AFHEA: Savage Katy, Compton-Daw Emma, Thomson Patrick; Advance HE Teaching and Learning Conference 2020 (2020)
From postdoc to prosperity: Compton-Daw Emma; Nature Index (2018)
So you’re a postdoc. What next?: Compton-Daw Emma; (2018)

More publications

Research

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Professional Activities

Vitae International Researcher Development Conference 2025: Speaker; 22/9/2025
Scottish Higher Education Researcher Developers In person meeting 2025: Invited speaker; 6/6/2025
UK EU HR Excellence in Research Award National Panel (External organisation): Member; 2025
Vitae International Researcher Development Conference 2024: Chair; 4/9/2024
Vitae International Researcher Development Conference 2024: Speaker; 4/9/2024
Becoming a Strathclyde Supervisor: Part of the Strathclyde Supervisor Development Programme: Speaker; 13/8/2024

More professional activities

Projects

Cultures of Collaborative Research in a Socially Progressive Technological University: McDonald, James (Principal Investigator) Bedford, Tim (Co-investigator) Compton-Daw, Emma (Co-investigator) Connolly, Patricia (Co-investigator) Grealy, Madeleine (Co-investigator) Mahn, Churnjeet (Co-investigator) McKenna, Paul (Co-investigator) Graham, Angela (Researcher) Salamon, Katrina (Researcher) Sin, I Lin (Researcher) Weikum, Maria Katharina (Researcher) Wells-Holland, Chris (Researcher); 01-Jan-2026 - 31-Jan-2026
EPSRC IAA: Enhancing Research Integrity, Culture, and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI): Research Integrity and Culture Week 2025: Compton-Daw, Emma (Co-investigator); 01-Jan-2022 - 31-Jan-2026
EPSRC IAA:Enhancing Research Integrity, Culture and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI): Compton-Daw, Emma (Co-investigator); 01-Jan-2022 - 31-Jan-2025
Thesis Mentoring scheme (Resilient Learning Communities (2020-2023) at Strathclyde): Compton-Daw, Emma (Principal Investigator); This project will examine the impact of mentoring on Postgraduate Research Student (PGR) resilience and thesis completion whilst providing tailored, targeted support for PGRs who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

It will pilot and evaluate a Thesis Mentoring scheme which aims to: · enhance resilience, writing and time management skills of individual PGR students · develop pool of experienced Postdoctoral Research Assistant/Associate (PDRA) mentors, enhancing Strathclyde’s own resilience in supporting the PGR community effectively · consider wider implementation of PGR mentoring at Strathclyde; 01-Jan-2021 - 31-Jan-2022
Graduate attributes of postgraduate research students transitioning beyond academia": Compton-Daw, Emma (Principal Investigator) Reid, Campbell (Principal Investigator) Savage, Katy (Co-investigator); 03-Jan-2017 - 30-Jan-2017
HEA Transitions - Academic Development Team: Savage, Katy (Principal Investigator) Boon, Stuart (Co-investigator) Compton-Daw, Emma (Co-investigator) Conway, Fiona (Co-investigator); 26-Jan-2015 - 30-Jan-2015