Jo Dowds BA (Hons) MA, ADG, FHEA
Foundation Year Tutor
Email: j.dowds@spurgeons.ac.uk
Jo is a Study Skills Specialist working within Higher Education supporting University students online across the UK studying at all levels from undergraduate to PhD, in a vast range of subjects. Jo delivers 1:1 weekly tutorials supporting students and University lecturers unpacking the impact of neurodiversity on their learning and profession. Jo currently holds a variety of roles; working as a proofreader for PhD theses and also working at a Further Education Arts Academy in Poole as a Learning Specialist supporting both students and teachers facilitating an accessible environment of learning. These students are previously NEET young people who have struggled significantly with the traditional schooling system for a variety of reasons. Jo teaches piano in a self-employed capacity and has done so for 18 years.
Jo studied at Moorlands College to complete her BA (Hons) in Applied Theology with Community and Family Studies (2011) for which she gained the Academic award, plus a second award in Communication. Jo went on work as Children and Family Ministry Co-ordinator at Twynham Church and to guest lecture at Moorlands in Children and Family work whilst completing her Master’s at Moorlands College in Applied Theology (2018). Jo has written a variety of articles for Premier Youth and Children’s Work Magazine including the cover article of the March 2019 edition titled ‘Looking at Gender Through a Different Lens’ which focussed on responding to gender identity struggles. Jo became a personal tutor for students at Moorlands College carrying out pastoral support for students as well as working as a Learning Assistant Tutor supporting neurodiverse students. As part of this role Jo completed her Level 5 studies in Supporting Adults with Dyslexia and Co-occurring difficulties. Jo is a member of GEN (Global Ethnodoxology Network) stemming from her research into Ethnodoxology which formed the basis of her Master’s dissertation. The application of Ethnodoxological principles to UK evangelical worship was integral to her proposal for further study for which she gained a scholarship to study a Doctorate in Global Leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary. This study was paused to allow for new roles such as working for Global Children’s Charity, Viva, based in Oxford as a development officer within their fundraising team. During this time Jo became an adjunct lecturer at Moorlands College and delivered modules on the Level 5 and 6 programmes in Intergenerational Ministry, and Children and Family Professional Studies; guest lecturing in Worship, Gender and Sexuality and Study Skills. Jo is an Associate of the Dyslexia Guild (Dyslexia Guild) and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AdvanceHE).
Jo is active within her local church leading services, worship and preaching regularly. Jo has served as an elder on the leadership team at Twynham Church, particularly leading the church through the changes within Covid and heading up the appointment of Youth Workers in the church. Jo moved to Christchurch with her husband John in 2008 having served a year on the MV Logos Hope with OM. John is a Captain within the Merchant Navy and currently works as Operations Manager for a ferry company based in Poole. John and Jo now have two boys and a dog, and enjoy time making the most of the South coast together.
