We are delighted to welcome Dr. Deirdre Hughes as the new Vice-President of the ICG. Until recently, Deirdre was Director at the International Centre for Guidance Studies (iCeGS) at the University of Derby; she is now working independently to help concentrate her efforts on the role of Vice-President of the ICG for 2008-2009 and to write a book focusing on building the UK evidence-base for careers work, due to be published in 2009.
Over the last decade, Deirdre has been responsible for the strategic development of iCeGS' regional, national and international research and continuous professional development profile, working closely with strategic partners from a wide range of agencies throughout the UK. She has extensive experience of working at a senior level with politicians, government policy-makers, practitioners, senior managers and leaders within both the public and private sectors.
In 2008, Deirdre presented written evidence to the Skills Commission's National Inquiry into Information, Advice and Guidance in England. In April 2004, she was invited to present written and oral evidence to the House of Commons Education and Select Committee advising on matters related to the National Skills Strategy: 14-19 Education.
Deirdre has written various academic and practitioner-orientated papers on a wide range of issues relating to career, transitions, progression pathways and gender issues. Further details can be found at: www.derby.ac.uk/icegs/publications
Her main body of research specifically relates to strategies for assessing and measuring the impact of career guidance services in the UK, including market-led career provision, and what constitutes effective educational and career guidance. She has driven forward debates on the use of appropriate language to explain careers work in the 21st century and the inextricable inter-connectivity between careers and educational guidance.
Deirdre also works as external evaluator at the Centre for Career Management Skills at Reading University, providing support to develop new and innovative ways of working with university Careers Advisory Services. She is an external examiner at Ulster University, Queen's University Belfast, and the University of the West of Scotland. Deirdre has also retained links with iCeGS, working as a Visiting Senior Associate on the 'Enhanced Careers Service Project' in Northern Ireland and the 'Diploma in Career Education, Information, Advice and Guidance Programme'.
In looking ahead to her new role with the ICG, Deirdre commented: "I hope to drive forward and promote a robust evidence base to support greater investment in high quality careers work throughout the UK. I am keen to connect with ICG members and other interested parties, such as Chief Executives and Local Authority personnel, to find new and innovative ways of influencing key policymakers at a local, national and European level."
As ICG Vice-President, Deirdre will be supporting the incoming President (Vivienne Brown) and Board members particularly by:
(i) contributing to strategic developments designed to increase the future sustainability of the Institute's work; and
(ii) facilitating 'lively fora' that attract politicians, policymakers and Executive Directors' attention to the reality and benefits of high quality career interventions for young people and adults throughout the UK.
In summary, Deirdre says she is looking forward to having the opportunity "to promote the ICG as a leading authority on careers work and to attract new members." | 
