Dr Jess Allsop

Jess is the Pastoral Mentor for the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and for Renewables/Engineering at the University of Exeter's Penryn Campus.

Pastoral Mentors are a point of contact, embedded within departments, who can support students who may be facing challenges that impact their ability to study and be successful in their programme. They work with Personal Tutors (also known as Academic Tutors) and teaching staff within their departments, providing advice and support to staff, along with end-to-end support for student queries, including signposting to expert services as required. They liaise with departments and support services, bridging the gap between academic leads and wellbeing/welfare/Accessibility to connect students with services (internal or external) as needed.

A significant part of the role is proactively working to identify and reach out to students who may be struggling in various areas (health, wellbeing, academic progression). They also contribute to an inclusive environment and to community building in the department, with a focus on resilience. 

Jess is a former University-level educator, with a background in teaching, research, community engagement projects, personal tutoring, pastoral, programme and wellbeing support. She has experience of various departments and processes in the HE environment, and familiarity with accessibility, equality, diversity, and inclusivity policies and considerations. 

Trained in active listening and mental health first aid, she has experience of people management and line management, and has undertaken training in managing performance, supporting neurodiverse students and staff, recruitment and selection, managing through change, inclusive practice, supporting the mental wellbeing of teams, student mental health support.