Mary L. Shannon

Mary L. Shannon
Senior Lecturer, University of Roehampton, London

I am standing for election to one of the open Board positions because I have benefitted so much (both personally and professionally) from the expert and friendly community of RSVP and I would like to give something back to the Society and to its members.

I first became aware of RSVP when I was finishing my PhD and was immediately struck by how welcoming an organisation it was. RSVP has boosted my career twice, at significant times that made all the difference to my continuation as an academic: once when I won the Colby Prize in 2016 and again when I was awarded the Peterson Fellowship for 2021/22. I know first-hand how important, sustaining, and transformative the support and recognition of RSVP can be, and I would be honoured to help administer the business of the Society by serving on the Board and assisting RSVP in supporting other scholars to access the same kinds of opportunities it has already provided me.

Since receiving awards myself I have already served on the RSVP Board (once), the Colby Prize Committee (twice), and the Peterson Fellowship Committee (once), so I have a good understanding of the work of RSVP as well as the processes of the Society. I would be a conscientious and committed member of the Board, and I very much hope you will look favourably on my candidacy.