I am currently the Head of Brand at the University of Edinburgh. I have been in Edinburgh for over 20 years and have been a passionate advocate of equal rights for women all of my life. As a result, I have achieved in Edinburgh a yearly Woman’s Day lecture in March to an ongoing photographic exhibition and collection of both academic and professional services women. I also ensure there is always a gender balance in all marketing and recruitment materials.

I am also passionate about equality for people like myself, an ethnic minority in the UK. I want us to help and support each other. I believe we can do this on a number of levels. If I may, I’d like to bullet point my lived experience as I think it will be self-evident as to my interest and desire to seek equality or, at the very least, raise its profile.

• I studied here as an international student
• I am married to a white English man who now lives in Scotland
• I am an immigrant
• I have 2 boys who are obviously mixed race
• I was born in Singapore & grew up there, but my parents were from Sri Lanka and were immigrants in Singapore. We were always classed as ‘others’
• My in-laws & their families come from a long line of people who belonged to the days of the Empire and colonial times
• Worked in Edinburgh’s Race & Equality office as a volunteer then admin support before working at the Uni

I have worked at the Development and Alumni Office at Goldsmiths since 2017 as a Senior Development Manager. Prior to that, I worked as Development Officer at City, University of London. My work focuses on raising philanthropic donations from trusts, foundations and major donors.

I grew up in Bangladesh and moved to the UK in 2001. As an immigrant to the UK, I am deeply committed to social justice and inclusion in the workplace. Particularly in the field of higher education, these matters are of paramount importance. It’s vital that we continue to have authentic and at times uncomfortable conversations about race, unconscious bias, and culture within the workplace; and also that we are able to connect with our peers in other institutions for support and advice in these areas. This is more important than ever now, as the coronavirus pandemic has led to a shift in workplace culture. Working from home is now much more common, which although it has its advantages, has also created a sense of loneliness and alienation in many. At times like this, a sector-wide network can do much to recharge us, create connections, and remind us that we are not alone.