Meet the colleague: Gemma Hackman

Gemma Hackman is a Learning Technology Assistant at Cardiff’s Learning and Teaching Academy. Find out more about Gemma and her role.

Tell us about your career history:

I’ve had a somewhat varied career so far.  Managing pubs, then moving into the same companies IT Support team, before moving to a Senior STEM Technician post. They seem like strange jumps when I write it down, but I promise it made sense at the time. I seem to be a natural collector and that applies to my job roles as well, adding bits and bobs of responsibility no matter the job role on paper.

Whilst working as a Senior STEM Technician at the absolutely amazing Wyedean School and Sixth form in Chepstow, I was gifted so many amazing opportunities to enhance my role, gaining experience in teaching and the administration of education.

I have now combined all my favourite aspects of previous roles into my current position as a Learning Technology Assistant, I have finally found the place I belong.

What does your role involve and how long have you been in the role?

I have been in this role for nearly three years now and it has flown by!

I work in the Education Enhancement Hub in the Digital Education strand. I generally meet people when they are at their wits end, in a time crunch. They need the right help, right now. I support all the digital tools that are used for teaching and learning, both in a nuts and bolts approach (E.g. How do I publish my Panopto recording?) and by matching ideas to solutions (E.g. I want a photo gallery competition, that students can vote on their favourite, which platform should I use?). I would say my specialism is giving specific, tailored advice in my real voice, by this I mean no technical jargon, no acronyms (where possible, Cardiff University seem to really love an acronym!) as if I am the friendly person one desk over, who you can turn to when you need some help.

What projects or tasks are you currently working on as part of your role?

I am currently working with the school of Chemistry to see if we can streamline the user experience of their safety inductions whilst simultaneously reducing the administrative burden for the staff managing the process.

What is the best thing about working in the Learning and Teaching Academy?

The variety for sure! We work with all staff across the university, regardless of which School or College they are in.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

 As I have said before, I am a collector and this extends to hobby’s as well! I have far too many to list but at the moment, my perfect day would be to visit a National Trust garden, then sit down to a picnic with a freshly baked cake, afterwards get the family home for an afternoon of crafting!