Interview videos

As part of our Authenticity in the Workplace project, we’ve invited students to submit questions to professionals from a wide range of sectors and backgrounds, including individuals who identify with diverse communities. These conversations offer valuable insights into what authenticity means in different contexts.
The videos below feature real questions from Nottingham students exploring how to bring your most genuine, confident, and authentic selves to work. By engaging with these perspectives, you can better understand how to navigate workplace culture, embrace your individuality, and build meaningful, authentic careers when you graduate.
If you would like to ask a question for a future interview you can do so using the button below.
Submit your questions
Watch interviews with our past speakers
Ashley Storer-Smith, Student Voice Manager at University of Nottingham - Being trans in the workplace
I started within students' unions when I was elected as Vice President Activities and Employability at London South Bank SU after I graduated.
I have been fortunate to work at a range of students' unions including Brighton, Warwick and Newman. I am currently the Student Voice Manager at UoNSU.
I also run a monthly webinar series with Unitu around student voice and student engagement. I have recently completed my MA in Student Engagement in Higher Education and published articles for Wonkhe around student engagement.
Areas of interest:
- Trans and non-binary
- Neurodivergency
- Disability (generally)
Sarissa Guo, Residential Experience Officer at University of Nottingham - Being trans in the workplace

With a commitment towards fostering meaningful equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, I have had the fortune to work in a number of impactful roles.
After graduating with an International Relations BA from the University of Nottingham Malaysia, I began as a Protection Assistant with the UNHCR in Malaysia, where I provided support and counselling to asylum-seekers and refugees, in addition to fostering inclusivity as a member of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Working Group.
Moving to the UK, I joined the University of Nottingham as a senior administrator in the Assessments Team, while helping to promote EDI efforts within the RAA Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Working Group.
Currently, as a residential experience officer, I co-ordinate events, offer pastoral care, and help amplify LGBTQIA+ voices as one of the Co-Chairs of the University's LGBTQIA+ Staff Network. By working in tandem with the community, as well as applying my lived experiences as a trans woman from Southeast Asia, I aim to create a university where our LGBTQIA+ community can thrive.
Areas of interest:
- Transgender inclusion in the workplace
- Immigrant, refugee and asylum seeker-specific needs and support
- Embedding care and wellbeing into the workplace
- Building and preserving an inclusive culture at work
Meredith Coney, Faculty Head of Education and Student Experience at University of Nottingham - LGBT+, women and neurodiversity

I am Meredith Coney, Head of Education and Student Experience in the Faculty of Engineering, leading a team that supports the student journey from admissions to graduate employment. I joined the University of Nottingham in December 2023 after 17 years at Loughborough University.
I studied a BA and MSc in Archaeology at the University of Leicester, while studying I had a part-time job in the Distance Learning unit of my department and enjoyed supporting people from all over the world to undertake their studies.
When I graduated, I didn't have a clear plan on what I wanted to do, but loved working at the University and applied for a temporary role at Loughborough University while I worked out what I wanted to do. A temporary role quickly became the start of a career in higher education management, not a field I had ever considered before but which I love!
Areas of interest:
I am passionate about equity, diversity and inclusion, in making our university accessible to all, to ensure that our students all feel like they can make the most of their university time and go on to a successful career they are passionate about.
Darryl Giffts-Walker, Environmental Compliance Advisor, Valpak Ltd - EDI in the workplace
I have a varied professional background, including roles in hospitality, call centres, and health and safety.
Currently, I work at Valpak, the UK’s largest environmental compliance scheme. I work with a range of stakeholders across many businesses, to ensure their businesses are compliant with UK environmental regulations.
Areas of interest:
I’m committed to advancing diversity and inclusion, with a particular focus on supporting and championing Black professionals.
Emma Maraio - LGBT+, Women and Neurodiversity at work
I am a Business Psychologist that currently works as a Global Performance Consultant within the Tech Industry. I have worked in different businesses, but my roles have always been focused around how we can use Psychology to get the most from and for our people - from construction to casinos, people are what make a business what it is.
Areas of interest:
LGBT+, Women and Neurodiversity at work.