Marina also works for the Open University as an Associate Lecturer and Staff Tutor with a childhood, youth, and sports focus. Marina’s previous experience includes working in Secondary and Further Education in leadership and teaching roles whilst maintaining a key interest in external examining and quality assurance in vocational training (business, sport, and fitness). Marina is a fellow of the University. Marina holds a Master’s in Mentoring and Coaching (education and leadership).

As a qualified Master Trainer, Marina works for a leading awarding organisation delivering training to educators in the UK and globally. This involves her in; advising, designing, supporting through the approval process, delivering and evaluating training to embed a vocational curriculum. Recent examples include work for the Japanese Ministry of Sport, the Association of Indian Football, and Southeast Asian schools and colleges.

Marina has worked with the UK Department for Education on vocational qualification development and policies and procedures around the quality assurance of vocational qualifications in Sports, Sports Exercise Science, Fitness, Outdoor Activities, and Business. This experience enhances her practice in improving the student experience and connection in maintaining connections with colleagues and students in an online space.

As an External Examiner, Marina works with colleagues and educators across the UK’s four nations and in the international space, aimed at ensuring the student experience is a positive one. This expertise has been brought to the Open University in her work on modules E117 Introduction to Sport and Fitness and E119 Working with people in Sport and Fitness on the BSC (Honours) Sport, Fitness and Coaching programme. Marina specialises in supporting and advising colleagues on how to support students studying in secure environments, (Students in Secure Environments) and also in an alternative educational setting.

Marina is a qualified yoga teacher and mindfulness/breathwork coach who works with colleagues and students to develop strategies, staff development sessions, and practices that enhance well-being both physiologically and psychologically. Marina is a Mental Health first aider and a Student Minds Look after your Mate Trainer. Marina is an active member of Athena Swan and the ECYS EDIA champions groups.