Global Office Team
Director of the Global Office
Samantha Lister
The Director provides leadership to a range of global activities which enhance student mobility and experience, academic reputation and research connectivity internationally. This includes leadership on the establishment and development of strategic partnerships and participation in international networks, innovative partnership projects including joint programmes, and services associated with student and staff travel. The role also includes co-ordination of the University’s status as a University of Sanctuary. Based at St Andrews since 2005, Samantha has broad experience in higher education administration, having worked in various management roles across student recruitment and admissions, academic registry, international education and student support services, including serving as Warden of St Salvator’s Hall for four years. She was tasked with establishing and leading the Global Office in support of University strategy in 2019. Samantha has an MA (Hons) degree in German and International Relations from St Andrews, which included a year abroad in Leipzig as an English Language Assistant, and an MLitt in Cultural Identity Studies, with a focus on higher education and cultural identity.
Head of Operations and Partnership Governance
Christian Harding
The Head of Operations and Partnership Governance has oversight of Global Office partnership activities and partnership governance, including due diligence and risk assessment processes, partnership compliance and contractual frameworks for collaborations. He also has operational responsibility for the University's Global PhD programme and other PGR collaborative work, and liaises with partner institutions towards new collaborative activity. In addition, the role involves management of the Turing scheme and oversight of Global Office processes for travel support. Christian graduated from St Andrews with a PhD in Mediaeval History in 2010 and after working in academic positions in Glasgow and Limoges, returned to the University in 2013 working in the Library and Registry before becoming Collaborations Officer for the Global Office in March 2017.
Partnerships Officer (Research and Reputation)
Harriet Sheridan
The Partnerships Officer (Research and Reputation) is responsible for managing cross-institution global projects which enhance academic reputation and research connectivity, overseeing a range of network and association memberships which involve strong international partnerships, and coordinating the Global Office’s branding and messaging. Harriet holds an MSc in International Public Policy and Diplomacy and has extensive experience supporting research-led international partnerships and networks.
Student Mobility Officer (Outbound)
Bronagh Masterson
The Student Mobility Officer works closely with the Director of the Global Office to support the University’s strategy in relation to student mobility on a diverse range of programmes, including outbound study abroad and work placements, and Joint Degree programmes, including the BA (International Honours) with William & Mary. The role manages a sustainable, personalised and integrated service for students which brings together individual student needs, academic programme and destination information, and enables the institution to grow Outbound numbers and to widen participation. An Italian graduate of the University of St Andrews, Bronagh has 13 years of experience in the UK higher education sector, specialising in international student recruitment, partnership development, and the management of inbound and outbound student mobility programmes. Bronagh has worked at the University since 2015 and enjoys supporting students through their study abroad experience. At present, Bronagh is also coordinating the University’s postgraduate scholarship programmes
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- Email:
- studyabroad@st-andrews.ac.uk
Partnerships Officer (Agreements)
Tobias Patrick Wolf
Tobias manages the lifecycle of the University's partnership agreements with higher education institutions and other academic and placement partners worldwide. He also collaborates closely with the School of Medicine to support and maintain key relationships both in the UK and internationally, working with regional and national health boards, medical practices, and placement providers. Tobias studied Marketing Communications, English, and Music in Bonn and Cologne before moving to Scotland in 2015 where he earned BMus (Hons) and MMus degrees from the University of Aberdeen. Tobias has worked internationally as an orchestral and choral conductor and he is a published composer. Before taking on his current role, he managed St Andrews' inbound student and staff mobility programmes. Tobias is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Sanctuary and Scholarship Support Officer
Nihaya Jaber
The Sanctuary and Scholarship support officer collaborates closely with the Director of the Global Office to oversee and enhance the University's Sanctuary status. The role involves working with various Schools and Units within the University to ensure a coordinated, supportive, and inclusive experience for students from forced migration backgrounds and scholars at risk, and guide them to relevant internal and external services. Nihaya is a PhD graduate from University of Glasgow. Her PhD project focused on the educational and social challenges facing refugee families after their resettlement in Scotland. She has also worked on projects at University of East Anglia focusing on the lived experiences of refugee families in Scotland and England.
- Email:
- sanctuary@st-andrews.ac.uk
Student Mobility Officer (Inbound)
Deirdra Farmer
Deirdra manages the University's relationships with a range of study abroad partners and providers and supports the experience of students spending a semester or an academic year at the University of St Andrews. Deirdra studied at the University of St Andrews graduating with an MA (Hons) in International Relations and Middle Eastern Studies. Deirdra previously worked for a US study abroad provider based in Edinburgh before joining the University as a Student Support Coordinator in the School of Medicine and then moving to the Global Office in May 2024. Deirdra is passionate about the student journey and ensuring our incoming students feel supported in order to maximise their academic and pastoral experiences while in St Andrews.
- Email:
- studyabroad@st-andrews.ac.uk
Turing Scheme Coordinator
Morag Mayes
The Turing Scheme Coordinator provides dedicated support for students funded through the Turing scheme, including students studying, working, or volunteering abroad and is responsible for institutional co-ordination of Turing scheme activities and compliance. Morag has worked in various roles at the University since 2007 and enjoys the interaction with students, staff and partner institutions, whether already established or in development.
- Email:
- studyabroad@st-andrews.ac.uk
Strategic Partnerships and Networks Coordinator
Joseph North
The Strategic Partnerships and Networks Coordinator works closely across the team to support projects, activities and events which enhance the University's key strategic connections and improve the experiences of students, researchers and professional staff. The role liaises with many of our European partners. Joseph graduated with a PhD in Italian from Durham University, and joined the Global Office in 2018.
Travel and Events Coordinator
Mauireen Quinn
The Travel and Events Coordinator provides dedicated support for the outward travel of staff and students, including the provision of pre-departure guidance, and the co-ordination of the University's online travel tool. The role also provides support to events and inward visits as well as playing a role in co-ordinating the Global Fellowship scheme. Mauireen has a background in luxury hotel management, working in North America and Scotland along with task force assignments in several international locations. She started in 2020 assisting Residential Business Services with various projects over lockdown and joined The Global Office in 2021.
Summer Schools and Communications Coordinator
Jonny Airey
The Summer Schools Coordinator is responsible for the organisation and development of a variety of summer schools and short extracurricular courses. He works with partners to develop exciting and collaborative opportunities for our students and to bring external students to St Andrews. Jonny holds a BA in International Development from the University of East Anglia and spent over 7 years working across several organisations in Cambodia before moving back to the UK in 2022. He joined the Global Office in 2023 and enjoys working with and supporting students through their academic journeys.
Sanctuary Coordinator
Lidia Dancu
The Sanctuary Coordinator collaborates closely with the Director of the Global Office to oversee and enhance the University's Sanctuary status. The role involves working with various Schools and Units within the University to ensure a coordinated, supportive, and inclusive experience for students from forced migration backgrounds and scholars at risk, and guide them to relevant internal and external services. Lidia first studied Economics in Scotland and then Law in England and has lived and worked across several countries in Asia and Europe. She has extensive experience working with forced migrant and displaced people in a variety of contexts and has worked on a number of research projects on refugee participation in tertiary education. Lidia has worked in Higher Education in access to education and in law clinics and is a widening access and participation practitioner accredited by the Fair Access Framework.
- Email:
- sanctuary@st-andrews.ac.uk
Global Senior Administrator
Lali Grifell Perea
The Senior Administrator provides support for collaborative programme activities, including the University’s joint degrees and Global PhD programmes. This also involves working with the Head of Operations and Partnership Governance to facilitate the Agreement lifecycle, including contract processing, and providing administration support for the Global Office operational matters. Lali studied English at the UAB university in Barcelona and holds an MA honours degree in Interpreting and Translating with French and Spanish as the main languages. She has a background in five-star hospitality and customer service, and worked temporarily in St Leonards School before joining the Global office in August 2022. She enjoys supporting both students and staff across a range of study abroad functions.
Global Opportunities Representative
Jezania Giesen
The Global Opportunities Representative is responsible for providing support for a variety of student focused activities within the Global Office. These include providing guidance and advice to outbound students, event organisation and attendance, promotion of study and work abroad opportunities, maintaining a strong presence on social media and working alongside colleagues when needed for inbound students and students on the BA (International Honours) degree program. Jezania has an MSc in International Education, an MSc in Psychology and a BA (Hons) in Social Work.
- Email:
- studyabroad@st-andrews.ac.uk
Global Administrator
Rachel Murray
The Global Administrator provides administrative support for all Global activities and supports the senior administrators. The role includes managing the student documentation from outset to completion for study abroad students as well as offering support to students via email and during consultation hours.
- Email:
- studyabroad@st-andrews.ac.uk
Global Modern Apprentice
Dillon Ferguson
The Global Modern Apprentice role is responsible for undertaking reception duties, such as greeting all staff, students and visitors who come into the Global office, organising and booking meetings, visits and events, and ensuring everyone feels welcomed. He's delighted to help students and answer any questions they may ask.
