Introducing the new Deputy Chair of ARMA

We are delighted to welcome Sophie Collet as our new Deputy Chair. She begins the new role from August 2024, taking over from Sapna Marwaha, whose term came to an end in July.

Sophie is Director of Research and Innovation Services at the University of Bath. Prior to joining Bath in August 2024, she was Director of Strategy, Information and Operations in the Research, Enterprise and Innovation Division at the University of Bristol. Sophie brings extensive experience of strategy development, research policy and planning, REF, research evaluation and systems, postgraduate research and research culture. She is committed to people development, and to values-led leadership and management, recognising that we have a collective responsibility for supporting the development of research management and administration as a profession and practice.

Sophie has had a varied range of involvement with ARMA. She originally joined the ARMA Training and Development Working Group in 2018 and continued to play a part in supporting ARMA’s Training and Development programme until 2022. She delivered the Advanced Certificate in Research Management Unit Webinar on Data for Decision Making for several years, and also led career development events, a research evaluation and culture panel discussion at the 2021 ARMA Conference, and joint sessions with HESPA on research planning and data-informed decision making.

The Deputy Chair has an overall responsibility for managing the finance, risks, and governance of the Association. The role involves working closely with the Chair, Treasurer and CEO to ensure the continued success of the Association. They also deputise for the Chair when needed.

As Deputy Chair, Sophie will chair the ARMA Finance & Governance Committee and EDI Advisory Group. She will also act as the ARMA member representative on EDIS.