I started researching my mother in law’s family history when my eldest daughter was a toddler, she is now the mother of my grandchild!

I returned to work in the 1980s and retired from employment in 2012. Not having been to university when I was younger, I decided I wanted to obtain an academic qualification which met my primary interest – family history and after considering my options, decided to enrol with the Centre for Archives and Information Studies at the University of Dundee. Initially enrolled for the PG Certificate, I was able to continue my studies and graduated with a Master of Letters degree in 2016. I am now researching for a PhD with Dundee investigating Opposition to Compulsory Smallpox vaccination in Scotland in the late 19th and early 20th century.

I established a research business and have worked with a number of clients, mostly from outside the UK. I tutor the leisure courses in family history for the University of Dundee, and have started to hold coaching sessions with clients who are keen to undertake their own research but want advice on how to keep their research on track via Skype.

I attended the Symposium on the RQG in Glasgow and as a former CAB manager, I am keen to ensure any client wanting to engage a researcher, can feel assured they will receive a quality service. I was invited to join the working party which established the RQG Journal and decided that I would stand for election last year. I thought I could bring my experience of working in the voluntary sector and my management qualifications to support the organisation. Since my election I have helped to create the Resolution procedure and am now part of the conference planning team.