I am a multi-award winning Professor of Biology Education and Student Experience within the School of Biological Sciences at UEA. I hold a National Teaching Fellowship, Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence and Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. My influence across the sector is as an educational leader, mentor and strategist with expertise in student belonging, the transition into higher education and pedagogical excellence within the biological sciences. Across UEA and beyond, I drive institutional and sector-wide initiatives that foster community and elevate the student journey.

I am nationally and internationally recognised for my work on student belonging and the wider student experience. I am a Principal Fellow of the Centre for Higher Education Research Practice Policy and Scholatship, Executive Committee member for the Foundation Year Network, a Founding Fellow and Co-Chair of the Practice Hub for the National Centre for Belonging in Education and lead an international Student Belonging Community of Practice encompassing ~700 global members. My current multi-institutional research portfolio investigates postgraduate taught (PGT) experiences, innovative assessment methods and student-staff power dynamics.

• Professor of Biology Education and Student Experience, University of East Anglia, 2025 - 
• Associate Professor, University of East Anglia, 2020 - 2025
• Lecturer, University of East Anglia, 2012 - 2020
• Module Organiser, INTO-UEA, 2009 - 2018
• PhD, University of East Anglia, 2011

ResearchGate ID https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kelly_Edmunds

I am the Deputy Director of Learning and Teaching and Lead the Teaching Theme for the School of Biological Sciences. I established the Biological Sciences and Biochemistry with a Foundation Year degree programme and was Course Director for these from 2014 - 2022. 

Module Organisation
BIO-3002Y Foundations for Biology
BIO-4001A Diversity of Life (previously known as Biodiversity)
BIO-7055Y Practical Conservation and Work Experience modules

Teaching
BIO-3002A Introductory Biology
BIO-3001B Further Biology
BIO-5012Y Biology in Society
BIO-5026A Parasite and Pathogen Ecology
Supervision of final year project students 

My discipline-focused research background is interdisciplinary, with a focus on disease ecology, endangered species conservation and the impacts of zoonoses. I have lived and conducted research across 3 continents, running research projects and conservation programmes and leading capacity building and the training of early-career scientists. I have conducted and published research on endangered species conservation, the wildlife trade and on zoonotic diseases, including highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, Ebola Haemorrhagic Disease and SARS-CoV2.

My current research interests lie in better understanding the student experience within Higher Education. I have published multiple articles on student belonging, the transition into Higher Education and innovative teaching practice and have active projects in each of these areas. I am a strong advocate for the sharing of best practice and regularly publish through Times Higher Education, Wonkhe and other Higher Education-focused outlets. I also lead a growing Community of Practice focused on Student Belonging.

I am always happy to discuss my research interests, findings and to discuss potential collaborations.

SCI Faculty Lead for the Start of Year Governance Committee
Deputy Director of Learning & Teaching
Lead of the Teaching Theme
Deputy Chair of the SCI Faculty Research Ethics Committee
Programme Director for the SCI Foundation Year courses (2017-2023)
Member of the Biological Sciences Teaching Committee
Course Director for Biological Sciences with a Foundation Year and Biochemistry with a Foundation Year courses (2014-2022)
Member of the UEA Foundation Year Working Group and the UEA Widening Participation Research Group
Fomer member of the School of Biological Sciences Exam Board (until 2022) and the Medicine Gateway Exam Board (until 2023).
Member of the BIO Equality & Diversity Committee
Academic Adviser to UG students
Director of Admissions, School of Biological Sciences (2017-2019)