Nikki Anghileri has more than 30 years’ experience across different aspects of education, as a lecturer in further and higher education, a researcher, local authority advisor, project manager, consultant, and now head of a thriving widening participation department. All her professional roles have been driven by the same passionate commitment to enhancing student and staff experiences, truly valuing diversity and developing inclusive models of practice. Her work is always informed, driven and underpinned by academic research, scholarship and impact evaluation, and the EdD, which she began two years ago, is the natural extension of this approach, and is continuing the challenge and the joy of learning. Nikki’s area of doctoral investigation is the experiences and ‘sense of belonging’ of academic staff from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in HE.