13/08/2026
| August Edition: Meet Dina Sikorska 🌟
From managing campus catering units to representing Oxford Brookes University in discussions with UN Women UK, founding a University-wide support network for parents and carers, and qualifying as a Mental Health First Aider, Dina Sikorska's journey with Oxford Brookes has spanned almost two decades and is a wonderful story of community, personal growth, and everyday empathy.
After qualifying in Ukraine to teach English and German, Dina came to the UK planning to work and study for just a couple of years before travelling further afield. Twenty-one years later, she is still here with a family, a home, and a cat. Joining Oxford Brookes in 2007 as part of our Catering team, her natural curiosity saw her quickly progress to Deputy Manager, overseeing 12 campus units.
Wanting more regular working hours as she planned to start a family, Dina temporarily stepped away from Brookes. Following the birth of her daughter, her return to work at another organisation was challenging. Navigating sleep deprivation and a lack of structured workplace support made her realise just how important genuine empathy and understanding are in the workplace.
That experience brought her back to Oxford Brookes in 2017 into the Executive Office, where she discovered an open, supportive culture that encouraged her to thrive. Through the Aurora Leadership Programme, Dina turned her experiences into positive action by founding Reconnect: a peer-to-peer network supporting staff across the university who are navigating parenthood, caring responsibilities, neurodiversity, and major life transitions.
We sat down with Dina to reflect on her journey, building inclusive communities, and what she is working on next. 👇
Q: You’ve been part of Oxford Brookes since 2007. How did your journey begin in our Catering team?
Dina: "I came to the UK after completing my teaching degree in Ukraine because I wanted to see the world. I joined Brookes in 2007 in the Catering & Hospitality team and took every opportunity to learn. Alongside managing day-to-day operations, I became involved in finance, invoicing, staff recruitment and training, and supporting our busy summer schools. My curiosity led me to become Deputy Manager, overseeing 12 catering outlets.
Hospitality gave me brilliant leadership experience, but after getting engaged and planning a family, I knew I needed a role with more regular hours to get a better work-life balance."
Q: What brought you back to Oxford Brookes in 2017 after stepping away for a period?
Dina: "After having my daughter, returning to work elsewhere was really tough. I was completely sleep-deprived and experienced firsthand how inconsistent return-to-work support can be when it relies purely on luck or a tick-box exercise.
That experience prompted me to apply for a role in the Executive Office at Oxford Brookes in 2017. The difference was remarkable. I was initially worried executive support might feel hierarchical, but everyone was so down-to-earth. Job titles did not create barriers; everyone was treated as an equal from day one, which gave me the confidence to flourish."
Q: How did your personal journey lead to founding Reconnect and becoming a Mental Health First Aider?
Dina: "In 2019, Brookes supported me to take part in the Aurora Leadership Programme for Women in Higher Education. At a summit, I was speaking with other mothers who had faced similar hurdles returning from leave. I realised that while line managers often try their best, real support should not depend on chance; we needed a dedicated peer network.
I pitched the idea, wrote a paper, and launched Reconnect in 2023. What started as a small faculty group of 12 has grown into an institution-wide network of over 60 members. As a qualified Mental Health First Aider, I wanted to ensure we created a welcoming, non-judgemental space. We cover everything from navigating SEND support and parenting teenagers to 'Bring It to the Table' open conversations and desk yoga."
Q: You are involved in so many initiatives across the university and beyond. What is coming up next for you?
Dina: "My line manager is fantastic at facilitating my wider interests during working hours. Earlier this year, I took part in the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) through UN Women UK, bringing global insights on gender equity back to local action at Brookes. I also serve as a voluntary Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Lead for Professional Services and sit on an advisory board researching 'Mind the Motherhood Gap'.
Looking ahead, I'm excited to welcome a range of national keynote speakers and workshop facilitators to Reconnect, helping us continue to grow the network and support colleagues. I'm also looking forward to speaking at the Oxford Brookes Staff Wellbeing Bite-Size Series in October and joining a panel discussion in the Oxford Brookes Open Lecture Series on SEND Reform in November.
Alongside this, I'll be supporting new resources for line managers and becoming a Domestic Abuse Champion, continuing my passion for creating inclusive and supportive workplaces.”
Q: Looking back at your career here, what makes Oxford Brookes so special to you?
Dina: "It comes down to very human values: kindness, empathy, inclusivity, flexibility, and genuinely listening to people. When you return from extended absence or balance heavy caring responsibilities, it is easy to feel out of sync. Reconnect shows people they are not alone. Brookes has a unique culture where wellbeing support is genuinely built by staff, for staff. That sense of community, belonging and mutual care is why I love working here."
🙌 Thank you, Dina, for your commitment, empathy, and dedication to making Oxford Brookes a place where everyone feels supported.
Looking for a workplace culture that empowers your growth and turns your ideas into reality?
Explore our latest career opportunities at Oxford Brookes: https://tinyurl.com/brookesjobs
