Twenty years of friendship for Teesside University academic trio

Three friends who first met as flat mates at Teesside University are now celebrating two decades of friendship, having made the transition from students to staff members.

And, to top off the Teesside love story, two of them are now happily married.

The lecturing staff — Dr Jonathan Robinson, Michelle Robinson, and Trevor Langford first crossed paths as roommates in 2003. Jonathan and Trevor came from the South of England, while Michelle is originally from Ireland.

Following the completion of multiple academic degrees at Teesside University, the trio became staff. Jonathan continued his education while simultaneously working as a research physiotherapist, pursuing a PhD, and lecturing. Michelle pursued a career within Scientific Support and Policing before coming back to the University. Trevor worked in Sports and Physiotherapy, collaborating with elite athletes at Middlesbrough Football Club and came back to Teesside University.

According to the trio, Teesside University played a pivotal role in shaping their lives, not least for Jonathan and Michelle who after first meeting as students, are now husband and wife.

Jonathan, a Senior Lecturer in Research Methods, in the School of Health & Life Sciences, said: “Teesside University has played a pivotal role in shaping our careers, and we deeply appreciate the significant impact it has had on our professional development. Moreover, it afforded Michelle and I the opportunity to meet and share our lives together. Coming from different countries, we might not have crossed paths otherwise.”

“Teesside University's excellent curriculum persuaded me to relocate to the area. At the time, the University was one of the few to provide a BSc (Hons) in Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation.”

Michelle, a Lecturer in Policing, in the School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Law, said: “I wanted to study BSc (Hons) Crime Scene Science, which was not offered by many universities in Ireland.”

“Teesside University not only provided me with a place to study, but the course turned out to be one of the best. The lecturers had their own Policing experience which was really useful.

Trevor Langford, a Lecturer in Physiotherapy, in the School of Health & Life Sciences, said: “I chose Teesside University because it offered me a Higher National Diploma (HND), which helped me get into BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation.”

“The experience provided me with incredible opportunities for further study and I got access to the University’s wide network in the region, which helped me go from being a university student to working at Middlesbrough Football Club.” The trio emphasised that the opportunities Teesside University provided them meant they never needed to leave the region.

Jonathan said: “I’ve always had a passion for learning. The opportunities, staff and the wider community at Teesside University are phenomenal. There is a massive investment on campus, which feeds into the student experience. It’s great to think back and realise that over the years Teesside has become our home.”

Trevor added: “Teesside University gave me an opportunity to fulfil my career goals. The University is committed to supporting its students, I received that support when I was a student and it is great to be able to give that back to the my students 20 years later.”

Michelle said: “I had a positive experience as a student at Teesside University, which helped shape my career. It’s great that I can give that positivity back to students within the Policing and Law Department.”

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