Dr Karen Fielder

Karen joined the University of Suffolk as an Academic Skills Advisor in the Directorate of Learning and Teaching in 2022. Her role supports students from across the university to develop their study skills to help them achieve their goals. In this role she draws on her experience as a Programme Leader for postgraduate courses at the Weald and Downland Living Museum in Chichester, validated by the University of York, where she supported mature learners returning to study. She has also worked as a lecturer in the School of Architecture at the University of Portsmouth. Karen has a background in heritage and conservation, and in addition to her academic posts she has also worked as a historic buildings advisor and as a museum curator.

Karen has a PhD in History from the University of Southampton which was based on a collaborative research project with the National Trust. She also has a postgraduate degree in Historic Conservation. Published works include papers on architectural history and on pedagogic practice with a foundation in transformative, immersive, and embodied learning. She has an interest in practise-based student-led projects working with non-academic clients where learning takes place in collaborative interdisciplinary environments. Karen is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA).