On Sabbatical
Starra is currently on sabbatical while I focus on my new role as Subject Coordinator in Access and Lifelong Learning at the University of Glasgow, and complete my doctorate. I'll be back. In the meantime you can mainly find me on LinkedIn or get in touch via the contact form below.
About
Hello, I’m Joanne Mullan. Click below to learn more about my work and professional background.
Contact
I'm on most social media platforms or you can send me a message through the contact form.
About
Hello! I'm Joanne Mullan, based in Scotland. I had a significantly adverse childhood and was raised in care due to my mother's severe mental illness. Most professional decisions I make stem from a hope to make things better for people experiencing such difficulties.I have a multidisciplinary background with a Bachelor of Education (Hons) from the University of Glasgow, two MSc degrees in Psychology and a Diploma in Counselling and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.In May 2026 I was appointed as Subject Coordinator in Access and Lifelong Learning at the University of Glasgow, where I have been teaching since 2019. I manage our large suite of Psychology, Counselling, Sciences and Maths courses, and the talented and dedicated tutors who deliver them. I continue to lead Access Psychology, which I have overseen since 2023. I am passionate about widening access and ensuring disadvantaged students get what they need to thrive in their educational journeys. Click on this link to find out more about our amazing courses.I am also completing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. My research investigates how care-experienced students experience corporate parenting in Scottish universities, what support they value, and what institutions need to do better.I'm also a Director at Govan Youth Information Project, working towards the advancement of education and poverty relief in the Govan area of Glasgow. A particularly important role for me as this is where I am from and continues to be an area of multiple deprivation. Click to learn more about the empowering and innovative work we do at GYIP.In 2018 I founded Starra Education to bring together my interests in education, mental health, and inequality. Through this work, I previously delivered accredited Mental Health First Aid qualifications, Youth Mental Health First Aid, and trauma and attachment-informed training. I also contributed to the Scottish Parliament's Cross Party Group on Mental Health. Starra is currently on sabbatical while I give my university role and doctorate my full attention.The word Starra comes from Scots Gaelic and means "barrier". I get huge satisfaction removing barriers from my path and helping others to do the same, through Education, lights me up.