Jacqui Glass

What is your role at the Bartlett, and what led you to pursue this career or area of expertise?

I am the Dean of The Bartlett, so I have overall responsibility for the leadership of our faculty. My academic qualifications are in architecture, but I specialise in construction. I always loved drawing and visiting buildings, and when I started doing my PhD research, I realised that I enjoyed academic life because it gave me the space to really concentrate on the topics I liked most. It took me a while to realise, though, that I also had a talent for leading and managing academic programmes and research projects, so in my career I have progressed through several leadership roles, which have been tremendously interesting and rewarding.     

How do you like to spend your spare time?

I spend time with my husband, and we go walking, or spend time in the garden and I also love baking – my favourite is cinnamon buns, which are delicious, but they do take ages to prepare. I go to a personal trainer once a week and enjoy birdwatching.

Can you describe your disability and how it impacts your daily life?

I have Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Dyspraxia. Everyone who has autism has a different kind of profile, so for example, I personally experience difficulties in a few areas, like communication and social interaction, so I find it harder to hold conversations, and my ‘social battery’ runs out quicker than other people, so, if you find me sitting quietly on my own, I’m perfectly alright – I just need a quick recharge! I also have sensory issues which affect how I experience the world around me, and verbal and auditory difficulties which affect my speech, listening and recall. The combination of these in a busy academic leadership job can be hard at times and it makes me feel tired much more quickly.     

How has your relationship with your disability evolved over time?

I was diagnosed as an adult, so it has taken me some time to understand my autism. Now I feel more confident because I understand what it is, how it affects me, and how best to live my life with it, and not try to be someone else. My autism is me – that’s who and how I am. I appreciate now why I have always had ‘special interests’ that I will talk about effortlessly, and spend hours thinking or studying it, and how kindness and the importance of justice and fairness have been constant values for me. 

What do you wish your colleagues or students understood about living with a disability?

That unseen disabilities go unnoticed every day, and that we can feel quite sad and isolated when other people are ‘just’ doing the things we find difficult, seemingly without a care in the world.  

Are there any resources, tools, or practices you’ve found particularly helpful as a disabled professional?

As a Dean, there are lots of requests on my time, and I am accustomed to having lots of meetings with lots of people and lots of different topics during the day. That all uses up my bandwidth though, so balancing my diary is important to ensure that I have sufficient breaks – my ‘recharge’ time is important. For me that means having quiet time in the office, proper lunch breaks, good sleep and contact with nature as often as I can: I love the Japanese idea of shinrin yoku, which means forest bathing. 

If you could influence one change in the way universities support disabled staff and/ or students, what would it be?

I would like to see more innovation in how disabilities and disabled people are being supported and recognised – and celebrated – in universities. Maybe UCL could initiate a new ideas competition for this? The Bartlett Collective is a brilliant example, but there must be so many other ideas out there.

What role do you think allies (non-disabled colleagues) should play in creating a more inclusive workplace?

I think it would be nice to see allies promoting kindness and compassion in everyday spaces. Every single interaction you have is a chance to support someone who is disabled, so please assume that everyone you meet might not experience life in the same way as you – and that’s probably closer to the truth than you might think…