Work at UWE Bristol

When did you join UWE Bristol?

"I joined UWE Bristol in 2012, having previously worked at another university. While I was working there I completed a part-time masters in Research Methods focusing on educational inequality in higher education. The masters involved working on research that informed changes in the delivery of services for students and I wanted to continue to ensure that research into differential outcomes and experiences informs the development of better student experiences."

Why did you join UWE Bristol?

"I was looking for an opportunity to develop my career in this direction when a perfect job came up at UWE Bristol as a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer. This involved informing the delivery of outreach programmes for schools to widen access to university."

What have you been involved in while working at UWE Bristol?

"I have been lucky enough to be involved in some really interesting externally funded projects. I developed a bid for an outreach programme called Future Quest, which is a collaboration involving state secondary schools and universities in the local area. We were successful in getting the funding and now more than 3,000 students each year from over 30 schools in Bristol take part in really interesting activities which we hope will increase their likelihood of studying in higher education. Following on from the Future Quest bid, I was asked to take on the management of a range of other externally-funded projects, one of which helped us to develop our Mental Wealth Strategy. I saw these projects as a way of taking a step ahead and making some big changes within the University."

"I have also been involved for the whole time I’ve been at UWE Bristol with our Access and Participation plan, which is the University’s plan for how we are going to increase the diversity of our students and ensure all students have equal opportunities to succeed. "

What values in the workplace are important to you?

"My values are very similar to UWE Bristol’s values, such as being inclusive and ambitious as a university. One of the targets in the 2030 strategy is to remove attainment gaps for students and ensure that all students achieve the same level, which I strongly believe we can achieve.

UWE Bristol has a strong commitment to LGBT+ equality through activities such as its involvement with Stonewall. I think the best thing about working at UWE Bristol is that equality, diversity and inclusivity is recognised as being important."

When did you start working at UWE Bristol?

"I have worked at UWE Bristol for seven years but I am a Chartered Engineer by background with over fifteen years’ experience in industry, working in a variety of sectors and roles, including five years as a Senior Consultant in the Aerospace sector. In addition to my academic career, I am a Chartered Engineer and I sit on the board of the Engineering Professors Council where I have the opportunity to shape the future of engineering education."

What do you enjoy about working here?

"I'm excited to lead such a vibrant academic community to deliver an outstanding, practice-based learning experience. Our multi-disciplinary approach equips our student mathematical scientists and student engineers with the skills and knowledge required to work in industry, now and in the future.

Collaboration and partnership are at the heart of all our activities and our mission is to make a difference to our city region and beyond. A part of this strategy is our new engineering building that will be completed in August 2020. We are investing in this multimillion facility that aligns to the University’s academic vision of promoting collaborative learning and reflects the strategic importance of this subject area in the regional economy."

"We are redesigning our curriculum too, to teach in a very different way as we move into the new building. The new curriculum places professional skills and attributes at the heart of the curriculum, with industrial problems, projects and practice woven throughout the student journey. The new curriculum and new building are inclusive by design."

What values in the workplace are important to you?

"I'm passionate about encouraging diversity in the profession and creating and maintaining a positive, supportive place to study. We have launched a number of exciting events recently such as our “Women Like Me” mentoring programme, and you can read more about this and our other activities on our Engineering Our Future blog."

"I am married with three children; a girl who is nine years old and in primary school, and a girl and a boy in secondary school who are 13 and 15 years old. I joined UWE Bristol when my youngest daughter was three and I have managed to balance my work and home life due to the flexible, supportive working practices in the department. I work full time but the flexible working arrangements have meant that I could flex my working hours around my many family needs and demands and, whilst this has been immensely challenging at times, I feel I have been fully supported throughout."

"My staff story demonstrates that with a supportive working environment and the right policies and procedures in place, women can progress and be promoted to senior roles within the organisation."

Why did you join UWE Bristol?

"I initially trained as a biomedical scientist in Iran and worked in clinical labs for over 12 years. After that I decided to do a MSc in Haematology and completed a PhD in Molecular Biology in 2012, both at UWE Bristol. When I finished my PhD, I moved to Canada and lived there for a year working with immigrants and international students. After this I returned to the UK to get married. Since then I have completed postdoctoral research at Newcastle University while also working as a Visiting Lecturer at UWE Bristol. In 2018 I joined UWE Bristol as a lecturer."

How do you spend your day?

"I work part-time, 2.5 days a week and my days are quite varied with teaching, research, running lab sessions and seeing students. Recently, I have taken on a new role of international tutor, so I will be seeing lots of international students. I will support them with academic issues as well as providing pastoral care. As I was an international student myself, I can see what kind of challenges they may face."

How has the University supported your career development?

"We have a lot of online courses to support us to learn what I need to know to do the job, as well as having access to a great library. All new academics are assigned a mentor and my mentor is excellent. She is very supportive and always available when needed. I feel I can talk about both personal and professional issues. Also I am enrolled on a course for teaching in higher education (PGCAPP) which I have found particularly useful."

What’s the best career advice given to you?

"I have been given lots of advice, but I would say probably "to have an open mind". Try not to limit yourself. Most of us have some sort of ideals or ambitions, but over the years that may change. If you are open minded about different opportunities, you remain open to different things. If you don’t try you may never find out."

What other things do you do outside of work?

"I enjoy volunteering in my spare time. I did lots of voluntary work in Canada working with immigrants, helping them to find resources available to aid their settlement in a new country. In Bristol, I work as a science communication volunteer at We The Curious as well as undertaking some paid work. I also volunteer at an animal sanctuary as "cat cuddler" - helping cats to get used to humans so that they can be adopted. I have three cats at home. I am also a trustee at LGBT Bristol. All in all, quite a variety of experience."

What values in the workplace are important to you?

"Where I work is important to me, and I want to work somewhere where there are positive values such inclusivity and collaboration exist, and they are put into practice. I knew UWE Bristol as a student and UWE Bristol for me is one of these places, which is why I applied to work here. UWE Bristol is also very student-centred – practically we focus on student needs. We are also a progressive university. We have moved up in the university rankings and now we have Gold status for Teaching Excellence Framework. 

"In the wider sense, we have a very diverse student body and we need an understanding of different cultures, different needs, different sexual orientations, different disabilities etc. One of the other great things at UWE Bristol is that we pay attention to mental health. I think all of these can come under an umbrella of inclusivity. We try to help all students to get on with their studies and succeed. This approach also extends to staff who need to feel comfortable and included. I feel UWE Bristol is very strong in this respect."

What’s the best thing about working at UWE Bristol?

"My colleagues – I work with great colleagues, and I mean that. In my experience, everyone is very friendly and helpful, and I can be myself."

"I am a UWE Bristol graduate – I studied BA (Hons) in Filmmaking at Bower Ashton Campus before completing an MA in Documentary Making in 2014. During this time, I also worked as a Student Ambassador, where I worked a wide range of events including, graduations, Open Days, UCAS and Welcome Fairs. During this time, I was awarded the ‘Green University, Gold Award’ for my work during events that supported Bristol Green City initiatives. I was also given an award for ‘Significant Contribution to Disability Month’ for the Wheelchair Challenge film that I helped make for UWE Bristol.

"After graduation I did some media based project work and some voluntary work with the Equality and Diversity Unit, whilst also working within Sexual Health and as a Mental Health Support Worker where I discovered a passion for working within sexual health, and supporting those living with HIV. I have continued to work as a sessional tester within Health Promotion for Terrence Higgins Trust.

"I joined UWE Bristol as a member of staff in November 2016, when I took up the role of Room Management Co-ordinator, before moving over to the Community Liaison team in September 2018. Within my current role, I have the opportunity to work with and help support local residences and educate students around issues relating to anti-social behaviour whilst living within the community. This also means that I work closely with our Head of Security and Campus Police Officer. This role is both challenging and very rewarding.

"In addition to my full time role, I am also the UNISON Welfare Officer for UWE Bristol and work closely with LGBT+ communities within the University and beyond. I also offer support for young people exploring their identity as LGBT+ in the capacity of a role model and trainer.

"In my personal time, I enjoy a range of activities including cycling, going to the Centre for Sport and learning to box.

"As someone with a no formal education prior to entering college and then university, and who is largely self-taught I value the importance of education and UWE Bristol helped me achieve my academic goals. I enjoyed my time as a student at UWE Bristol and missed the University after graduation. I was thrilled when I was offered a job here and have not looked back since. I love working with UWE Bristol and its wealth of diversity."