In our first episode of 2026 Nick talks to Josh Sendall about his career in academic libraries, culminating in his recent appointment as Acting Librarian and Keeper of the Brotherton Collection at the University of Leeds.
In a wide ranging conversation Josh discusses the importance of research libraries and how 'openness' is deeply aligned with both his own and university values, the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how libraries have always adapted to new information technology.
Josh reflects on his rapid career trajectory that has benefitted from "planned happenstance" and shares some of what he has learned along the way.
His advice to others? Understand your values, know your value, and seek roles that align with personal purpose.
Episode highlights:
Josh sees leadership as service — to students, researchers, and the wider civic and cultural mission of the university
He emphasises vulnerability, humanity, and continuous learning as essential leadership traits
Josh’s career demonstrates planned happenstance — being curious, taking opportunities, embracing non‑linear progression
Josh’s lived experience informs his strong leadership in equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) to address systemic challenges - underrepresentation in academia and attainment gaps
He advocates for equity, not just equality, to ensure fairer participation in HE and knowledge creation.
While AI can perpetuate existing underrepresentation in the knowledge base, open research can contribute to the democratisation of knowledge creation
Mitchell, K.E., Al Levin, S. and Krumboltz, J.D. (1999), Planned Happenstance: Constructing Unexpected Career Opportunities. Journal of Counseling & Development, 77: 115-124. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.1999.tb02431.x
Welcome to the Research Culture Uncovered podcast, where in every episode we explore what is research culture and what should it be. You'll hear thoughts and opinions from a range of contributors to help you change research culture into what you want it to be.
Nick:
Hello. It's Nick and for this episode of Research Culture Uncovered, I'm delighted to be talking to Josh Sendall about his library career, which has culminated recently with him being appointed Librarian and Keeper of the Brotherton Collection here at the University of Leeds Libraries.
Josh's career in academic libraries started at Lancaster University where he held roles including Library Aid, Learning Zone Student Adviser. Information Assistant, Research Data Management Manager, and Head of Open Research. He then joined the University of Nottingham as Associate Director for Research before moving to Leeds first as Director of Library Services, and now it is Librarian and Keeper of the Brotherton Collection.
So, hello Josh and welcome to the podcast.
Josh:
Hello Nick. It's great to be on the podcast and I have to say, we've started out with what felt a bit like This is Your Life.
Nick:
Yeah,
Josh:
Yeah, it's, it's always interesting having your career path reflected back to you.
Nick:
I'm not gonna introduce any surprise guests from your past, don't worry.
First of all, I mean, congratulations on your new role, which is still a very new role, and I think we should, we should emphasize that it's the top job in the library. You're head of the library if you like, I suppose. So congratulations on that. And as I say, it's still still early days.
How are you finding it so far?
Josh:
Well, thank you firstly for the congratulations. I'm very much enjoying the role. It's a tremendous opportunity and indeed a privilege to step into this role, continue the work of my predecessors and also work with the staff community to define what our strategic horizons look like moving forwards.
And of course, I step into this role at a time of significant turmoil, and I mean that in terms of the pan global political settlement, there's an awful lot going on at the moment. And of course, higher education isn't immune to the shock that we've seen that comes from those changes in the political arena and indeed some of the economic challenges that we're experiencing as well.
So it's an interesting time to step into the role, but it's a time that's not without its challenges. However, I'm fortunate to be supported by an excellent library executive and leadership team, and indeed to work with so many great colleagues across libraries, collections, and galleries. So it's a heady combination of optimism, excitement, but also pragmatic realism.
Nick:
Right, well, I mean, it's interesting you say, you know, as you say, what did you say, pan? I can't... say that again, pan?
Josh:
I think I said pan geopolitical settlements, or something along those lines.
Nick:
No, well, I'm gonna write that down, but it, you know, in that context, I mean, libraries are important, aren't they? Information's important in the, in this current, uh, landscape, um, and obviously we are privileged to be in a big, uh, research intensive university... one of the biggest research libraries in the UK, I think. Is that right?
Josh:
Yes, yes, absolutely. Of a similar size and scale to University of Manchester, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Glasgow.
Um, uh. So yes, we are a major research library, uh, and our collections are truly outstanding, our cultural collections and also our main collections. And indeed the services we offer for our academic community are progressive, forward thinking and, and grounded in being useful to our students and our academic colleagues as well.
Um, I'm biased of course, but you know, yes. I, I, I fundamentally think that University of Leeds Libraries, uh, a great outfit.
Nick:
Yeah. And of course you've got lots of networks across the sector, haven't you? You mentioned some of those libraries and um, without throwing out too many acronyms, I know you've got leadership roles with RLUK, that's Research Libraries UK, SCONUL, I can't remember what SCONUL stands for?
Do you know off the top of your head, SCONUL. Society...
Josh:
Oh I think in the mists of time it was the Society for College and University Libraries. Um, so includes around a hundred and I think around 160 HE organizations, uh, and not just, not, yeah, not just university libraries, but that broader HE sector.
Nick:
Academic Libraries North as well is another one. I was just, again, just looking at your, your biography. I mean, you and I have known each other, I think for a few years now. I certainly met you when you were at Lancaster. Um, then when we were, you know, still working in the same space, really named a Research Data Management and Open Research and should say, um, a colleague of ours was, uh, was, was intending to join us. This is a co-host, uh, Ruth Winden, who colleagues, regular listeners will know is a Careers Consultant with Research here at the University of Leeds, and she was very interested in your, as am I, your, you know, your rapid, um, trajectory. I mean, just looking back at some of those, you know, those wide range of jobs you had at Lancaster.
Um, so perhaps just tell us a little bit more about your academic and professional background and, you know, what brought you to, um, this point now?
Josh:
Absolutely. Yeah. So I think the first thing to say is that I. I didn't go to university until I was 24, so I went as a mature student. I read law at Lancaster University and my intention at that time was very much to go on to practice law.
[... **Transcript continues in same format — trimmed here for message length** ...]
Nick:
Great. Thanks very much Josh. Thanks very much for your time.
I think we're just about the hour. I'm sure you've got plenty more meetings to go to today. So really appreciate you taking the time to talk to us today. Um, and, uh, thank you very much and, uh, speak to you again.
Josh:
My absolute pleasure, Nick. Thanks again. Cheers, and bye for now.
Outro:
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