Karen has a BSc (Hons) in Physical Education and Sports Science and an MSc in Sports Science from Loughborough University. She is also a CYQ Advanced Gym Instructor, level 3 and a qualified and experienced hockey coach. She lectured in Sports Science for two years before taking up post in 1998 as Physical Education Officer at the University of Cambridge. Now Deputy Director, she works closely with the Director of Sport and the Sports Committee on the development and ongoing review of the University Strategy for Sport. Karen also collaborates with the Director, other UAS divisions and external partners in the strategic planning, development and delivery of new sports facilities. She was part of the project team that delivered the £19 million University Sports Centre at West Cambridge in 2013 and the new £2.5 million University Hockey Centre in 2018.
Karen oversees the governance, sports club support and human resource management functions of the University Sports Service. She is also the Welfare lead for student sport and a member of the University Joint Wellbeing Committee.
During her 25 years with the University, Karen has completed secondments as Acting Director of Resources and Administration (Institute of Continuing Education) and as a Senior Assistant Registrary/ Assistant Secretary to the General Board (Academic Division).