Faces of Reading

I have held a variety of roles in Global Academy to date, including Assistant Programme Director for the Pre-sessional English (PSE) programme, and Academic Language and Literacy Liaison (post-graduate) for the Henley Business School. I have also been involved in the digitisation of teaching materials and the maintenance of online learning environments for both the Foundation programme (home students), the Pre-sessional English programme, and the Academic English programme. I am actively involved in the Technology Enhanced Learning community of practice. I also enjoy reviewing written submissions as part of the InForm journal editorial board here at the University.

Over the years, the University has given me the space and support to grow as a professional by offering me a wide variety of roles according to my particular skills and interests. I have mostly been working on full-time contracts at the University of Reading, however I have taken part-time contracts too. This flexibility has enabled me to focus on completing my own research for my MA dissertation, while still working and remaining part of Global Academy. I appreciated the flexibility with my hours and workload during that busy time.

I am currently studying part-time for my Doctorate in Education (EdD) here at the University of Reading, while working full-time the Global Academy. It is a great comfort to me to feel secure in the knowledge that Global Academy will support me wholeheartedly in this endeavour.

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.

I speak several languages, so I know exactly what the main problems are with learning a new language and what students find most difficult. I try to encourage them to speak the language and overcome any difficulties on the way.

Everyone here has given me the opportunity to show my potential and challenge myself as a language teacher, but most of all to do what I love.

I'm an audiovisual translator and I study BSL. I believe that deaf and visually impaired people should have access to language learning too. My aim is to work as an interpreter in the future, and I am proud that BSL will be taught here at the University.

I'm a School Champion for Diversity and a member of the LGBTQIA+ staff scheme. I think it's important to promote diversity and inclusion.

At the University of Reading, our students come from all around the world and this makes their learning experience really interesting. I really like to build a relationship with my students, watching them grow as independent learners, helping them with their learning process, and making them feel part of a community.

I give a lot and receive a lot; it's beautiful. This is why I'm still teaching after 12 years.

Read more about the University's LGBT Plus Staff Network.

The tutors said I should think about going to university, so I applied to Reading and quit my job to do a sociology degree. I was 32, with children, and was surrounded by 18-year-olds. It was probably the hardest thing I did, trying to manage everything, but it was great.

I graduated in 2003, did a master's and went straight into a PhD. I got a scholarship, which meant my fees were paid in exchange for teaching. I got a job as a research assistant and then lecturer. I really didn't have a vision of where I was going, but every step of the way, I met people who encouraged me.

My current role is Professor in the Institute of Education, and I have a number of leadership responsibilities. My research focuses on aspirations, gender and widening participation. I like to do work and research that's empowering.

The University is made up of lots of different people from different backgrounds and situations. If you want to come, you can and you can make a success of yourself.