Richard Sober

Recalling the early years of Teesside University

What your first job at Teesside University and what you do now?

I started as a part-time lecturer, filling in for three months teaching across a range of design courses. That was back when we were still Teesside Polytechnic and having worked at various other higher education institutions. Little did I realise I would stay for the majority of my career.

Why did you want to work at Teesside University?

Having worked at a number of other polytechnics and universities, I quickly realised Teesside was different. The whole vibe of the place was so much more collegiate and student-centred.

Everyone I met actually cared about providing the best possible experience for the students, and they cared about and celebrated our students' successes when they graduated.

To me this was revelatory, and the sense of community and enthusiasm was enthralling - I realised it was where I wanted to be.

What was the University like in 1992, and how has it changed over the past 30 years?

The University is barely recognisable from when I first joined. My first office was in what was little more than a timber hut, located in the car park behind Middlesbrough Tower.

The transformation of the campus is incredible - it's now a state-of-the-art modern University. Working in the interiors discipline means I have been lucky enough to have been part of many building committees, and it's especially nice to have been involved in many of the developments and contributed to the designs over the years.

Several of our graduates now work for professional practices and have helped design our learning environments too, so it's exciting to see the legacy of our teaching in action.

What's your fondest memory of your time at Teesside University so far?

So much of it has been memorable with some fabulous colleagues, friendships and mentors along the way.

Some of my fondest memories involve my role organising our annual Learning and Teaching Conferences. The events brought together colleagues from across the University to share their amazing and innovative activities, and demonstrated just how creative we are at Teesside as well as what a friendly, supportive place it is.

Another highlight was working with George Clarke to develop a ground-breaking masters course, and also when Interiors was awarded Centre of Excellence status by the Society of British & International Interior Design.

Last but not least, is the little stray, starving kitten that somehow found its way into the Cook workshops. ‘Milo' now lives with me and considers himself a Teesside alumni!

What's the best thing about working at Teesside University?

The best thing is the students and graduates - when you've studied with us you become part of an ever-growing family, forever connected to us. We really are different.

What makes you proud to be a member of Team Teesside today?

Seeing how graduating from our University opens up a whole world of opportunities for our students makes me proud to be a member of Team Teesside.

Social media means we can follow their careers much more easily than when I began and it's astounding to see the amazing things they are doing all around the globe - working for some of the biggest practices and leading some of the world's largest construction and design projects. The thing they all seem to have in common is the affection they still share for the University.