Holly Mills is a Senior Lecturer in Architecture at Nottingham Trent University, leading the Design Studio in Year 3 on the BArch Course.  In addition, she is also the Athena Swan Champion for the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment. Since 2016, Holly has led collaborative drawing workshops with students, school children, and academics. She presented at the Trent Institute for Teaching & Learning Conference 2023, the Association of Architectural Educators Forum 2024, and the Midlands Critical Thought Conference 2024. Holly co-authored an article with student Jessica Payne, "Collaborative Drawing as a Tool for Creating a Sense of Community within NTU’s Architecture Students," published in the Student Engagement in Higher Education Journal in January 2024.

Lois Woods is Course Leader for the BArch Architecture course at Nottingham Trent University managing the design, planning and delivery of the course. Her doctoral research, funded by the EPSRC, was focused on primary school environments and she developed a unique participatory methodology for qualitative post-occupancy evaluation. Lois’ research interests are centred on improving learning environments, children and students’ well-being and using participatory and creative methods within research. She  has run an extra-curricular research project for students to undertake post-occupancy evaluation with NTU Estates. The collaborative drawing research aligns with her interests in participatory techniques, and we are developing inclusive initiatives across the BArch curriculum.

Gemma is a Senior Lecturer in Architecture at Nottingham Trent University, running the Technology and Environment 2 module and leading on one of the Year 3 Ateliers. She is currently sharing the Co-Course Leadership, whilst Lois Woods is on maternity leave. Gemma undertook an art foundation before her architectural studies and has a passion for mark-making as a form of thinking and communicating ideas. She lives by the motto “If in doubt, draw something!”, believes that everyone can draw and wants to build confidence within her students. She has run several collaborative drawing sessions with Year 1 students to build trust and community within the student cohort. Gemma is supporting Holly Mills with her research into Collaborative Drawing and Gender Equity.

Jessica Payne graduated from Nottingham Trent University, in July 2023.  Jessica researched collaborative drawing as a community of practice, to improve a sense of belonging, whilst tackling issues related to confidence, perfectionism, and wellbeing.  She published a case study with Holly Mills in RAISE’s January 2024 journal,  entitled ‘Collaborative drawing as a tool for creating a sense of community within NTU’s Architecture students’ . Jessica has been working in practice at PiP Architecture in Cambridge and is about to undertake her Master’s in Architecture at the London School of Architecture. Jessica really enjoyed exploring drawing through a new perspective and hopes to take these skills forward into her future studies.

Nanfe Lar is a BArch student at Nottingham Trent University, expected to graduate in 2025. As a driven and motivated person, Nanfe brings a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to the team of 2024 Student Researchers. Outside of her studies and researching, Nanfe enjoys reading and baking.

Georgie Colebrook is a BArch student at Nottingham Trent University, expected to graduate in 2025. With a bubbly, creative, and friendly personality, Georgie brings energy and motivation to the student research team. In addition to being a Student and Researcher, Georgie is part of the NTU Power Lifting Team.

Carmel Cain is a BArch student at Nottingham Trent University, expected to graduate in 2025. Carmel brings a calm personality as she quietly encourages the Student Researcher team. In her free time, Carmel enjoys reading and playing the flute.

Shekha Said is a BArch student at Nottingham Trent University, expected to graduate in 2025. In addition to working as a Student Researcher, Shekha has filled her life outside her studies as Co-ordinator of the NTU Architecture Society, Course Representative for her peers; and plans to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in 2024!

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Ramita Eswarappa is a BArch student at Nottingham Trent University and is expected to graduate in 2026. Besides being a student co-researcher, she also served as the Social Secretary of the Knit and Crochet Society. As an aspiring and ambitious student, Ramita brings a calm, structured mindset to the 2025 student research team. Alongside her coursework, Ramita enjoys crafting and dancing.  

Michelle Amba is a Barch student at Nottingham Trent University, expected to graduate in 2026. Her nuanced and creative approach adds quiet depth to the student research team. Outside of her studies, Michelle enjoys playing badminton and discussing films that didn’t quite hit the mark.