Faces of Reading

I currently work in the School of Chemistry, Food and Nutritional Sciences and Pharmacy in my role as a Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice and the Pharmacy Director of Teaching and Learning. I work with an inspiring, motivating and diverse team of academics who all pride themselves on producing a workforce who has the passion, drive and the motivation to deliver the patient-centred care and positive health outcomes. 

I am a British Indian and fall into the BAME category. I have been thoroughly supported in my time at the University of Reading, with opportunities to develop my leadership, assertiveness and overall management skills. I have been supported to develop and take on additional roles including module convenor, Pharmacy Director of Teaching and Learning and the University Chair for the Student Discipline Committee. The support and development at the University has enabled me to secure leadership positions elsewhere and in January 2021 I became a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Accreditation and Recognition Panel member.

The continued support I have received at the University of Reading enables me to bring my passion into the classroom and ensure that my enthusiasm converts into an inspiring learning experience. I take immense pride in witnessing the ‘light-bulb’ moment and take great pleasure in being part of the student’s journey. I am passionate about nurturing the next cohort of enthusiastic pharmacists, who hold ethics, patient health and values as close to their hearts as I do.

Collaboration was never something we planned, it was more of a way of doing things that seemed practical to us. But, when it came to finding institutional support for our work, particularly in academia, we found that it was quite difficult to square this way of working with existing frameworks. 

Few universities were willing to take us on as joint lecturers, so we were delighted to find the University of Reading more open-minded. Here, our collaborative approach is not only supported, but reflected in the teaching in the Department.

The Art Department offers many opportunities for students to work collaboratively and really fosters an engagement with practices that challenge the idea of individual authorship.

As well as working students in the studio, we have had several opportunities to run projects offsite as mini-residencies with students in collaboration with various venues both nationally and abroad, from the Merzbarn in Cumbria to Nova Perla on the outskirts of Prague. In these less formal environments, we have found group work to be particularly useful as a way of instilling the mutual support that we hope will serve our students as well when they graduate as our collaboration has done for us.

One of the things I really enjoy about Reading is the flexibility. For example, over the summer months I take advantage of flexible working hours – called compressed hours – so I work from 8:00 until 6:00, four days a week during the summer, and that’s something I really appreciate.

I’m also supported in continuing my professional development, and recently I received a Science Council CPD (Continuing Professional Development) Award because of my training and development achievements. I think if there’s something you’re interested in doing – and it’s relevant to your role – you should flag it, because there’s no harm in asking.

My previous job was in retail so it was quite unsociable and involved long hours. My department gives you flexibility, you have to be in for core hours but you can come in early and then you're off again, it's fantastic.

Following the Professional and Administrative Services (PAS) review, I got the job here as Programme Administrator in August 2016. I work with a good group of people - we all bounce off each other, dig in and help each other out.

There is definitely a focus on staff development - I've recently finished the Springboard Women's Development Programme. My manager gave me the time to go on that course because it was important to me and being part of that cohort was really fulfilling.

I'm also an LGBTQIA+ Ally. I've always considered myself a diversity and LGBTQIA+ ally, mainly because I have a brother who is transgender, so it is something close to my heart. As soon as I heard about the Ally programme, I was very keen to be part of it.