Faces of Reading

As well as my two regular clubs, I teach a group of pupils with learning disabilities once a month.

I started training in martial arts when I was 15 and really enjoyed it; I'm now a black belt, 3rd Dan. I found it beneficial to me physically, because I have cerebral palsy, and it helped with socialising as well.

I was lucky enough to be taught by a very good instructor, he is now the other instructor at the club and still trains me.

I'm in a wheelchair occasionally, but at work I'm sat down behind the desk most of the time with supportive staff around me. If I'm struggling a bit, there's always a way round it. Everyone is helpful and friendly, which always makes things easier.

I'm always keen to take opportunities to put on martial arts demonstrations to share it with the University and wider local community.

With the help of my supervisors and mentors, I was able to adopt a flexible approach to my work; I began to split my time between home and my office. I was also given a computer so I could continue with my work, and bursaries from the University to spend on childcare arrangements. This was extremely beneficial, and made what could have been a stressful time much easier. Having regular meetings with my supervisor was really, really helpful - they enabled me to remain in the loop while I wasn't in the office.

Thanks to this help from the University, family commitments haven't held me back - I was awarded PhD Researcher of the Year 2013 Faculty of Science winner. Now, I work as a Research Scientist in the Department of Meteorology. I've been given opportunities to pursue my personal interests, to lead on research projects, and to develop computer-based skills including data implementation, analysis and coding.

I'd recommend Reading - as a place to work and study - to anyone. I'm regularly contacted by students back home in Cameroon asking how they too can study for a PhD here. Since I first arrived, I've found it to be a very friendly, welcoming environment - something that hasn't changed during my time here. I now have two children, and am looking forward to returning from maternity leave to continue my work later this year.

My role is now "teaching intensive", which means research is only a minor part of what I do.

As an 18-year-old student, the last thing I thought I would be doing was standing up in front of people giving talks. Showing off my project to prospective students gave me the confidence to do it. I get a buzz out of it now: the different ways of teaching things, thinking about technology and what we can use.

I was made Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2014. I have been Head of Department, Director of Teaching and Learning, and Senior Tutor. I am now School Director of Technology Enhanced Learning in the School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences.

How we do things has changed considerably. We used to have mobile robots to promote our courses, which were part of our outreach activities, now we use massive open online courses (MOOCs). You get people of all ages all over the world doing them. I’m the lead educator for the Begin Robotics MOOC, where anyone can learn about robotics, which features many interactive web pages I developed. I also use such web pages when teaching artificial intelligence, virtual reality and mathematics. They also featured in a recent project about how to make online learning more accessible for all.

It's great to be in an exciting subject area where there's constant innovation and new technology, and where things are continuing to develop.

Progression has been a defining part of my journey here, and I’m passionate about helping others experience the same. Whether through mentoring colleagues or supporting my team via PDRs and regular 1-2-1s, I see career development as something we should all actively champion and a core element of my citizenship.

Beyond my main role, I’ve been involved as a volunteer with the Staff Forum since 2020, initially joining during the height of COVID – partly out of curiosity, partly to stay connected. In 2023, I stepped into the role of co-chair, and it’s become a space where I can advocate for colleagues and collaborate with other representatives to make a meaningful difference. I’ve had a genuinely positive experience working at the University, and I’m committed to helping others feel the same. I want to be part of solutions – however ambitious they might sound.

On a personal note, I became a dad for the first time in 2023, and that’s the role I cherish most. One of the things I value deeply about working at the University is the flexibility I’ve been given – particularly by my line manager through the Smart Working Policy – which allows me to be the parent I want to be for my son, while continuing to deliver in both my professional and volunteer roles. That balance is something I’m incredibly grateful for.

The University has given me a lot: opportunities to grow, a supportive network of colleagues, a brilliant team, and a (near-perfect) work-life balance – not to mention the view from my office over Greenlands and the River Thames, and the occasional free lunch! – I even look forward to (most) Mondays, and that’s a feeling I’d love for everyone here to share.