Seven Questions with Claudia Kate Au-Yeung

She tells us about a ChangeMaker project she worked on, the many gems she discovered in the area around campus, and why we need our pets to attend class with us(!)

What are you studying, why are you interested in this subject and what do you plan to do in the future?

I recently graduated with a Masters in Speech and Language Pathology at UCL. So I am now officially a certified speech and language therapist/pathologist!

The programme allowed me to combine my passion for medicine and my compassionate personality to make an impact on the lives of my patients (and their loved ones). After my undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, I took a gap year interning in out-patient specialist clinics, gaining surgical experiences, and participating in clinical research around the world. In that time, I started to see that allied health care professionals were not well-recognised. We forget that a holistic treatment plan takes the whole team, in addition to doctors.  I believed that only by experiencing both professions could I bring them together. I don't know if I will be able to make an impact, but I am truly motivated to ensure that our patients receive the best care. 

The programme also gave me an amazing opportunity to work with Great Ormond Street Hospital in completing my dissertation on paediatric swallowing disorders. I wanted to devote myself to research because it benefits more patients on a bigger scale.  

What is the most interesting thing you've done, seen or got involved with while at UCL?

In addition to my clinical placements, I also got involved in two UCL ChangeMaker projects. 

One of them was about how to use feedback effectively. The project involved researching and talking to other UCL students through focus groups as well as professors and module coordinators to collect their tips and expertise. By using the suggested steps, it has allowed me to improve academically and professionally. If you are interested, do check out our guide to feedback.

My other project was a collaboration with the UCL School of Pharmacy. My task was to find out if a teaching approach, named 'flipped classroom', was effective. We collaborated with pharmacy students to gain feedback and brainstorm new ideas on how best to deliver their lectures. This project proves UCL's commitment to making sure that the way high-quality teaching is delivered is evidence-based!

Have you discovered any hidden gems during your time at UCL?

Of course! But shh... keep them hidden: 

1) If you need inspiration for your Instagram captions...Fork Deli Patisserie on Marchmont Street is the place to go! This café always has interesting quotes outside their door! So do stop by for lunch or a cup of coffee. 

2) Believe it or not...The Dolphin on Bidborough street has the best Thai food in town! Don't be fooled by its appearance, it is a friendly local Irish pub that also serves Thai food. If you are struggling to decide what to order, I'd say, try the Pad Thai!

Give us your top three things to do/see/go to in London:

1) 'I want my time with you': I'm sure everyone knows about the Eurostar from St Pancras station. But have you seen the neon light installation above the grand terrace just below the St Pancras clock? It was created by the artist Tracey Emin. Not only is it Instagrammable, there is also a deeper meaning behind it. Emin said in an interview, 'It's really a great subliminal message sent out to the rest of Europe, I want my time with you. I am deeply, deeply concerned about Europe, and that in a year's time we're going to be a tiny little island just floating around in the North Sea. It's madness.' So if you pass by St Pancras, be sure to check it out! 

2) Word on the Water. Fancy a book? Word on the Water is a floating bookshop on Regent's Canal, near Kings Cross station. It stocks new and used books, runs talks on a variety of topics, and occasionally hosts musicians who perform on their boat! 

3) London South Bank. What can I say? There's nothing better than walking along the South Bank of the River Thames and taking Instagrammable shots on a sunny day!  

If you were Provost for the day what one thing would you do?

If I were Provost for the day, I'd get all students and staff to bring their (well behaved) pets to class/work!  Three reasons: research has shown that pets help with reducing stress and improving mental and physical health, so it would create a more positive workplace for everyone at UCL; second, studies also show that some pets, such as dogs, may reduce anxiety in people with mental health and social communication difficulties; last but not least, I love my dog so much that I'd bring him everywhere with me!

Who inspires you and why?

Out of all people who have inspired me, spine surgeon Dr Kenny Kwan of Hong Kong University is at the top of the list. As a clinician, Kenny always involves his patients and the carers in the decision-making process, not only explaining the surgery risk to a patient, but also explaining it from the patient's perspective.

On top of his clinical responsibilities, Kenny is also dedicated to research. He was the first person who gave me the opportunity to be involved in research. Seeing the impact Kenny has made using his clinical experiences inspired me to do the same.

Last but not least, Kenny's role as a professor showed me that the most powerful way to foster good clinical practice is via modelling and sharing personal experiences with future healthcare professionals. I sincerely hope that I will be able to provide the same opportunities to others that Kenny has once provided me. As a result, my first baby step was to investigate in the effectiveness of different teaching approaches by participating in the UCL ChangeMakers project that I have described above!  

There are so many people who have had a significant impact on my journey: my patients, my clinical and research supervisors, my friends, and my family. So THANK YOU. Because of you, I have gained a mission and purpose in life. 

What would it surprise people to know about you?

I am petite in size, but I have an enormous heart to give and love!