Professor Sonia Virdee - Principal
Rhian Davies - Vice-Principal
Dr Judith Barbaro-Brown - Assistant Principal
I have been in the role of Assistant Principal at Grey College since January 2021 and feel both privileged and lucky to be part of the Grey family.
I originally worked clinically in the NHS before moving into education and have lectured in HE since 1996. I first worked at Durham University in 2007, based at Queen’s Campus with the Medicine programme. After some time at York St John University leading the Health CPD team I returned to help set up the Durham International Study Centre as Head of Curriculum and Progression. After this I was part of the team setting up the new medical school in Sunderland before returning again to Durham University and joining the Grey community. I’m an alumnus of Cardiff & Durham Universities from my PG/Doctoral studies and have specific interests in student support and wellbeing, student transition to university, and academic self-concept.
I was born in Durham City and continue to live just outside the city with my family as well as multiple dogs and cats. My dogs regularly come into college to spend time with students in the JCR and go for walks with them around Durham – they are honorary members of the Grey Welfare Team and love coming into college! I enjoy cooking and baking, eating chocolate, Argentine tango, collecting shoes, going to the theatre and cinema, and travelling - my favourite destination being the Alhambra in Granada.
As Assistant Principal I lead the college student support team, working to provide a welcoming and supportive home from home for all our students so they can enjoy their time at the university, and especially here as part of our Grey extended family.
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