Dr Shipra Jain

Dr Shipra Jain is a Lecturer in Meteorological Risks and an Undergraduate Admissions Tutor at the Department of Risk and Disaster Reduction.

When did you take up this position? What was your position beforehand?

I joined UCL in January 2024. Prior to that, I worked as a Research Scientist at the Centre for Climate Research Singapore (CCRS), under the Meteorological Services of Singapore, National Environment Agency. 

At CCRS, I led the development of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) Warning System and contributed to regional climate services through the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre and the Southeast Asia Regional Climate Centre. 

So before moving to London I was based in Singapore, and prior to that, I worked in the UK at the University of Edinburgh. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work across India, Japan, the UK, and Singapore, building experience in both academic and operational research settings.

Tell us about your work at UCL – how do you spend your days, and what makes your role different to similar positions elsewhere?

My role at UCL is quite broad – it’s my first full-time academic position, so I really enjoy the mix of teaching, mentoring, research, and administrative responsibilities. 

A typical day can involve preparing lectures, meeting with students, working on research papers, or coordinating aspects of the undergraduate admissions process. 

What makes this role unique for me is the autonomy and creative freedom I now have. I can explore ideas more deeply and at my own pace, which is incredibly refreshing.

What are some of your favourite things about working at UCL? How have you found it different to previous jobs?

One of the key reasons I applied to UCL was to find greater autonomy in my research and career – and honestly, UCL has far exceeded that expectation. What stands out to me most is the trust and independence it offers to staff. Over the past year, I’ve really appreciated the flexible working environment and the strong emphasis on work-life balance.

Here, I’ve found the time and space to think, to write, to engage deeply with research, and to shape my own direction. That level of freedom is something I hadn’t experienced quite this fully in my previous roles. 

I also love how central UCL is – it's easy to meet collaborators or connect with visiting researchers. And although the campus is always buzzing with activities, you can still find peaceful corners to work in.

Can you tell us about your research, or future projects that you're looking forward to working on?

At the moment, I’m continuing to build my research work on weather and climate extremes and their societal impacts. I'm interested in how these extremes are evolving under climate change, and how we can improve the usability of climate information to better support decision-making, policy, and disaster risk reduction. 

I’m also quite interested in the philosophical and human aspects of science – how we do research, why we do it, and how we can create better environments for early and mid-career researchers.

How did you find adapting to living in London?

I moved to London in January 2024 when I joined UCL. I had visited before as a tourist, but this is my first time living here. So far, I’ve loved it – London is such a vibrant and diverse city. I enjoy the mix of old and new, the rich history alongside the modernity. There’s always something new to explore and I often find myself surprised by its hidden gems.

Finally, tell us about your non-work life. Do you have any hobbies, or favourite places to go in London?

Outside of work, I love travelling and experimenting with new recipes – cooking is a bit of a creative outlet for me. 

In London, I really enjoy walking along the Thames and exploring the many green spaces the city offers. It’s amazing how much nature you can find in and around the city.