Mary Willows

Mary is Project Manager, and Impact and Partnership Development Manager for The Defence and Data Research Centre, which is part of the UK Government’s newly released Defence AI Strategy and the newly established Defence AI Centre. Awarded through competition and operating under the SERAPIS framework, the DDRC comprises a consortium led by the University of Exeter, supported by the Universities of Liverpool and Surrey, and the Digital Catapult.

Before beginning her work with the DDRC in 2023, Mary programme-managed an interdisciplinary Prosperity Partnership research programme between the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the University of Exeter and a Defence-focused industry partner (2017 – 2023). This required her to manage the programme on a day-to-day basis with a view to longer-term impact and sustainability also.

Outside of her work with the DDRC, Mary holds a BscEcon degree in Criminology and several PRINCE2, Agile & APM Project Management qualifications.

Within her local community, Mary works to facilitate artistic and inclusivity-focused projects; most recently she has been working to counteract the adverse effects of the cost-of-living-crisis; by making freely accessible, wellness and creativity activities, to ensure that any at-risk or low/no-income families/individuals can access wellbeing activities. She also teaches dance and is a performing artist.

J.Hayes2@exeter.ac.uk