When I came here in 1977, I was studying cybernetics and control engineering before becoming a PhD student. I started my lecturing career in 1983, and I've been learning ever since.
I first taught computing to cyberneticists, but every few years I have undertaken new roles and now I teach cybernetics to computer scientists! That's why I've been here so long.
In 2009, after completing my master's degree in Italy, I secured a scholarship for international students and joined the University of Reading as a Meteorology PhD student. My research focuses on understanding tropical climate and its variability through the study of convection simulation and interactions with large-scale circulation.
The arrival of my daughter at the end of the second year of my PhD was a challenge. As a single mum, solely responsible for childcare, and with no family nearby, I needed to find a way to balance both motherhood and my studies. Professionally, it was quite disruptive, but the University was incredibly supportive.
I work in the Department of Meteorology, researching major changes in climate in the past. Through this research we can understand the impact past climates had on prehistoric people, as well as the impact these people had on the climate.
My partner, Richard, is also an academic, which can make family life tricky because we both travel a fair bit and work rather long and odd hours. It helps, though, that the work is interesting and enjoyable, and that the University supports flexible working.
We get a lot of enquiries at Henley Business School, and in my role I get to speak to and meet new people pretty much all the time. I do some photography for the department as well, including events. I've been here a year and it's quite varied; no two days are the same.
I also own a martial arts club, All Abilities Martial Art. It's for everyone, any ability, we're keen to emphasise it's inclusive. We practice Aiki-JuJitsu, which is not sport-based but focused on self-defence.
