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Professor Ijeoma F. Uchegbu, Pro-Vice Provost - Africa and The Middle East, Chair in Pharmaceutical Nanoscience - UCL School of Pharmacy
Working within an academic environment demands complete honesty when reporting research findings and openness and inclusivity when working on core institutional resilience goals.
As a researcher at UCL, my research results are communicated faithfully to my peers, knowing fully that I may not be seeing the complete story and that the research findings are only ever validated, once replicated by many others. It gives me a buzz to see scientists follow the trail that I have set with my work and confirm my findings. Similarly I must accept with equal grace when my early conclusions have not been confirmed by others.
In a slightly different facet to the modern academic’s job, I have a spin out company and this means that research results are communicated to a wide range of audiences. I can say that this is now a lot of fun, although it was something that I had to learn how to do effectively and to be honest I am still learning.
As UCL Provost's Envoy for Race Equality, I work collaboratively with many UCL staff to deliver an inclusive and equitable work environment for all staff irrespective of their race. I wish I did not have to say those last four words in the previous sentence, but I do. I work particularly closely with Marcia Jacks of Women’s Health, Paulette Williams of the Office of the Vice Provost Education and Fiona McClement, head of Equalities at UCL. These are formidable women and brilliant colleagues. Collectively we are working, with many others, to remove the deficits identified, with respect to the professional and academic attainment of Black Asian and minority ethnic staff and students. We specialise in telling the truth to colleagues about some of the unintended staff and student outcomes at UCL. It is not always comfortable but it is necessary. Sometimes I can’t quite believe how lucky I am to have such an amazing set of colleagues to work with. Truly grateful. The reputation of our university depends on this work and this is why it is vitally important.
