Our stories

As long as you get yourself into a routine, and make sure you’re doing things when they need to be done, you can work, have a family and complete your studies. Time management is key.

Katie knew that she wanted to pursue a career in Motor Sport and saw the course at Herts as the perfect pathway to follow her dream.

She is currently an Aerodynamic Design Engineer with the Williams Formula 1 team and explains a bit more about her role and what it entails, ‘I was lucky enough to join Williams F1 as a Junior Aerodynamic Design engineer after completing my MEng in Automotive Engineering with Motorsport at Herts.

My role involves designing mechanical and aerodynamic components for the wind tunnel. I lead the research and development for the wind tunnel front wing design and work closely with the aerodynamicists to improve design concepts and make wind tunnel tests as streamlined as possible.’

Working in Formula 1

Katie really enjoys the challenge of the role and the industry which is fast-paced on all fronts.

‘Working in Formula 1 is very enjoyable and very rewarding when you see results on the track. Seeing Williams back on the podium and scoring points again in 2021 were particular highlights.

I also enjoy the fast-paced environment and continual research and development required to keep up with technology and rules changes.’.

Why Herts?

Katie chose to study at Herts because she was impressed with the large range of studies provided by the Engineering department and the range of facilities which provided crucial hands-on experience to work in industry. She adds,  ‘I was particularly impressed with the extra-curricular groups and studies provided by Herts such as the Formula Student team.’

When she talks about the best part of her course she says, ‘It was being able to apply what I had learnt during my A-Levels to further my knowledge of engineering and the knowledge and enthusiasm my lecturers had to further my studies.'

Formula Student

Knowing that hands on practical experience is so important in the industry Katie became a member of the successful Formula Student team at Herts. She is certain that it helped when it came to her career and says, 'Participating in Formula Student particularly aided my ability to gain my current role in industry.

It was able to provide me with this expertise and allow me to broaden my field of study outside of the classroom or lecture hall.’

Favourite memories

Unsurprisingly Katie’s best memories revolve around her experience with the Formula Student Team and the success on and off the track.

‘My favourite memories at Herts were the times spent designing and manufacturing UH19 and UH20 with great friends. My favourite of them being completing at FSUK, FS Czech and FS Germany with the most successful UH FS car of all time as well as winning design at both the UK and Czech competitions.’

The future

Katie has set her sights high when it comes to the future and what it could bring. ‘My future plans are to advance my career further in motorsport, and to hopefully win a Drivers and Constructors Championship in F1.’

'Participating in Formula Student particularly aided my ability to gain my current role in industry.  It was able to provide me with this expertise and allow me to broaden my field of study outside of the classroom or lecture hall.'

Meet Natalie Pringle a Law graduate who has excelled in a varied career based across the UK and SE Asia. Natalie is listed in the 2021 TechWomen100 Awards and supports start-ups in the tech space through an accelerator programme run by international law firm, CMS.

Why do you think we should celebrate International Women's Day?

Julia Schofield received a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours in Computer Science at the Hatfield Polytechnic in 1975. She was the first registered blind female Computer Science graduate in the UK.

Julia had a hugely successful research and business career as a leading technology consultant and she was a champion for utilising technology to meet the needs of people with disabilities. Julia’s work was rewarded with the Women of the Year Frink Award in 1982 and an MBE for services to the computer industry in 1992.

Julia remained connected with the University throughout her life and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science in 2007. In 2016 Julia officially opened Schofield Court, a new student accommodation block on the College Lane Campus, named in her honour. At the event Julia said, “I am lucky because my time at Hertfordshire enabled me to get into a field I really wanted to work in”.

Julia also generously donated financial support by providing student prizes to encourage future innovation in computer science to aid the lives of people living with a disability.

Mark Jenkin, former Associate Dean for the School of Computer Science, pays tribute to Julia:

“Julia came to study at Hatfield Polytechnic in 1971 from the nearby Chorleywood College, run by the Royal National Institute of Blind People for girls with little or no sight. She always felt that going to a specialist school was right for her and it certainly equipped her with amazing skills to overcome her disability such as braille, cooking, knitting, and mobility. At Chorleywood she was taught Computer Science by the late Dr Bill Tagg from Hatfield. She was encouraged by him and her headteacher to be one of the very first blind people worldwide to study the subject at degree level. Computer programming was considered a promising profession for blind people, but almost all were men.

I first came across Julia in her second year at Hatfield Polytechnic. To my surprise her tutor approached me and asked if I could read to her as she thought I had a nice voice. Reading aloud coursework and textbooks was one of the adjustments lecturers made to support her. In class we made sure we spoke clearly, avoided visual gestures, and provided tactile diagrams. Julia would write notes in braille on her very sturdy mechanical Perkins Brailler as there were no high-tech aids in those days.

From 1973, Julia was accompanied in class by her guide dog Pam, who most of the time slept quietly, but occasionally would show what she thought of the lecture by yawning loudly. Pam had two weaknesses; roaming when on a free run and swimming. One day I had to collect a very wet and slimy Pam from Hatfield Police Station, my most embarrassing moment ever!

In the 1970s we all used 10 character per second Teletypes for input and output to the computer, which we used mainly for programming. There were no braille terminals or printers, so Julia organised the manufacture of prototypes and wrote software to produce braille output. She later acquired one of the first reading aids, an Optacon. This used a camera to scan the text, with individual letters turned into a tactile impression read by a finger.

Julia undertook industry placements during her studies, and for her second six-month placement Julia went to the very prestigious IBM Hursley. At the time, IBM was the world’s foremost computer company and Hursley was a globally renowned research and development centre. This experience led Julia to secure her first full-time job in 1975 at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), an internationally important research organisation. There she worked in a group looking at human interactions with computers, in particular on MAVIS, a microcomputer-based aid for people with very limited control of movement. This was way ahead of its time and led Julia to embark on a PhD in Computer Interface Design. Again, Julia was the first blind person in the UK to be awarded this.

After NPL Julia’s career flourished. She formed her own software company, employing many staff, travelling the world, and carrying out consultancy and developing systems, typically involving human-computer interaction for well-known organisations in retail, government and health. Some of her biggest customers were car companies including Volvo, Daewoo and Toyota. For five years, she was also the chair of the British Computer Society’s then Committee for the Disabled.

Julia was a pioneer and an inspiration for women and disabled people, and for Computer Science in general. In 2007 when Julia was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science by the University of Hertfordshire, Professor Jill Hewitt, former Dean of Computer Science said, “It is our pleasure to associate our university with the many tributes paid to Julia for her ingenuity and skill in helping to improve the quality of life for so many”.

Julia was always a pioneer, with her good humour, charm, drive, and determination overcoming obstacles that would have deterred almost everyone else.”

Meet Hanh, Student Success and Engagement Advisor (Black Asian Minority Ethnic/Equality Champion) and Visiting Lecturer in Initial Teacher Education.

How did you come to work at the University?

I was a secondary music teacher for 19 years until 2021, when I took a career break. I live quite locally and saw the job for Student Success and Engagement Advisor in the School of Education and took up the post in March 2022. I am now also a Visiting Lecturer in Initial Teacher Education and a Visiting Tutor for the Secondary PGCE. I am pleased to be using my skills in a different way but still having a positive impact on young people.

Why do you think we should celebrate International Women's Day?

We have lived in a patriarchal society for thousands of years and despite progress in many areas, continue to do so. We must continue to celebrate women and their achievements, and make a commitment to promoting them to influential positions. I believe it is important to promote IWD positively in order to counterbalance patriarchal bias and the marginalisation of women, their skills and experience.

What has been your greatest achievement?

I am very proud of my teaching career and the number of students I helped to discover the joy of music and the intrinsic value of learning. There have been many highlights within that, including three book publications, but creating a safe and musical environment for those in my care will be something I will cherish.

Who is your female role model?

It's impossible to pick, which can only be a good thing. I have looked up to Jacinda Ardern in recent years, the way she showed strength in difficult times, but also when she decided it was the right time to step away from her role. I am also a huge fan of Michelle Obama and her commitment to working with and for women in all walks of life, in particular those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.

Meet Sophie, a second-year music industry management student at Herts who is leading our Disabled Students’ Network.

Sophie came from a performing arts background and is a member of the National Youth Theatre. She’s also worked with Graeae Theatre Company and Scope the disability charity on the Scope for change campaign – teaching young Disabled people to become campaigners. She often has public speaking engagements including speaking in Parliament and for charities such as the CVI society and Guide Dogs

Why do you think we should celebrate International Women’s Day?

Because we are still in an age where violence and prejudice towards women is high.

Particularly against Disabled, deaf, Black, Asian, BIPOC and LGBTQ communities.

International Women’s Day is about reminding everyone we have more to do to enable everyone is able to live their lives without discrimination, bias, and prejudice.

What does equity mean to you?

That everyone can live their lives without discrimination, bias, or prejudice. Enabling people to have the means to thrive in their own way.

What is your proudest moment so far?

There’s too many to single out! I think in terms of my university experience, it would either be getting into university, which meant returning to education after a traumatic experience previously. Or being the first in my family to go to university.

This year, I also moved into halls - the opportunity to live independently, which as a Disabled person is a big thing for me. As for life itself, making it to 25 is monumental given my health.

Who is your female role model?

I have a few! Although I try not to because the last time I had a role model, I tried to become a Paralympian like them and broke my arm!

My mum is my biggest role model. One of my tutors at Herts, Maria Thomas, who covers multiple courses in different schools but still has given me so much support and advice as well as encouragement in my studies. She encouraged me to undertake the degree even though I had been out of education since I was 14 and would be coming from a SEN school with little educational qualifications. I hope one day I’m as cool as she is.

Then in terms of disability, a great role model for me is Imani Barbarin. The Disabled community itself. And then Hayley Williams from the greatest group Paramore!

Meet Jill, our Learning and Organisational Development Team Leader and Co-Chair of the Disability and Wellbeing Network (DAWN) here at Herts.

How did you come to work at the University?

I joined as a Staff Developer in 2003 and then progressed to People Development Manager, I have worked with many colleagues and been based in many different buildings and offices over my 19 years. I came from a retail management background, and it was quite a change of environment, it took me about a year just to understand all the acronyms!

Why do you think we should celebrate International Women's Day?

Although we have had over 50 of gender equality laws, we still don’t have gender equality. It is important to celebrate women’s successes and learn from their journeys to raise awareness of what women can achieve and break down stereotypes.

What has been your greatest achievement?

Returning to work after becoming unexpectedly disabled in 2013 and still being here 10 years later! I had emergency open heart surgery which lasted 13 hours and caused damage to the nerves in my legs and resulted in me spending five months in hospital. I returned to work using a walking frame working just two hours a day,two days a week and with the support from my colleagues built up to my full hours and responsibilities again. I had another open heart surgery two years later in 2015 and won the ‘Colleague of the Year’ Vice-Chancellor's Award that year, which meant so much to me.

I am also proud to be Co-Chair of the Disability and Wellbeing Network (DAWN) as I know how important support from colleagues is and the importance of raising disability awareness.

Who is your female role model?

My daughters – one works in the Oil and Technology industry, a very male dominated field, and proves herself to her male colleagues every day, while also running a women’s group to support and encourage more women into STEM workplaces. My other daughter is deaf and is halfway through her PGCE to be a primary school teacher, she has always been a strong feminist and is particularly passionate about girls’ rights to education worldwide.

Meet Laila, an Insurance Administrator in our Finance team and Co-Chair of the Menopause Network.

How did you come to work at the University?

I was working on site for Bouygues, a construction company where I was based on College Lane campus for a one year temporary contract. When the contract ended it was suggested by a friend who worked at the University to apply for an administrative role. I worked in MacLaurin in Human Resources for three weeks and then got transferred over to Uno bus on a casual basis. I think working on a building site set me up to deal with anything. I became permanent at Uno bus and worked there for seven years until I needed to change my hours. I now work in Finance as administrative support to Alistair Moffat and his team, which is lovely.

Why do you think we should celebrate International Women's Day?

The importance of celebrating our achievements, to reduce the inequalities, gender pay gap, women have come so far but more inspiring conversations about how women are an important role in the workforce.

What has been your greatest achievement?

Having a daughter that is successful and confident and is achieving goals in her career. Running a successful business being self-employed. Motivating and encouraging fitness and wellbeing.

Who is your female role model?

Many female figures - I don’t have a role model as such, but young women like Greta Thunberg, an activist against global warming is inspiring and shows how she wants to make changes. Cherry Mosteshar – author of the book 'Unveiled', I read this book when I was a young woman, which is about love, death and being a women in Iran and the Ayatollahs – the society pushing women down and covering them up. You cannot avoid the temptation but you have to resist it!

Any strong women who are confident and want to make a difference. Even Margaret Thatcher has her place as a role model being one of the first women Prime Ministers, politics aside.

Meet Paulina, a first-year computer science student at Herts who is also working as a student technology mentor.

“I raise up my voice—not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. … We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back." – Malala Yousafzai

Why do you think we should celebrate International Women's Day?

We need to celebrate International Women’s Day to remind ourselves that there’s still no equality for men and women in the world, and even though in this country the gap may be bridging, there are still many places in the world where women’s human rights are not being respected. We should also include men in the celebrations, a lot of them want to be our allies in fight for equality.

What does equity mean to you?

Equity means that people from different backgrounds, and with different levels of privilege, should get the same opportunities regardless of their social position. In simple terms - levelling out the playing field for all genders and races.

It's all about empowering people, making sure no talent is wasted and helping improve living standard. Initiatives like ‘Code First Girls’ or ‘Black Girls Do STEM’ help achieve equity by giving women from different backgrounds a chance to learn in an environment that is friendly and understanding of their specific struggles.

What has been your greatest achievement so far?

My life has been full of achievements, I can’t just point at one and call it my greatest. My philosophy is to never stop learning, developing, and reaching new heights – and sometime that means ‘achieving’ something along the way. Maybe in that sense my greatest achievement is the person I am today.

Growing up in a place with little opportunities, having been told by my teachers I would never make it in computer science, struggling with my own identity because of internalised misogyny and bias, I still managed to come out the other side. I am mindful of my own shortcomings, and I am actively working on them every day, even though it would be so much easier to bury my head in the sand.

Who is your female role model?

There are many great women that inspired me throughout my life but let me tell you about my two biggest heroines.

American soprano, Jessye Norman showed me that you can fight for a cause without animosity, but still meet your goals and maybe even change minds. She was an image of grace and kindness, but she fought for racial equality with laser focus.

Maria Skłodowska-Curie who unapologetically lived and died for science, while also being a mother. She was passionate, true to herself but also strong and nurturing to her children. She was the first person to win two Nobel prizes, and her daughter Irene also received one about twenty years later. As a mother, I hope I can give my daughter the encouragement and opportunities for development so she can meet her full potential, just like Maria’s daughter did.

Meet Dr Ajlaa, Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management and Deputy Programme Leader for MSc Management.

How did you come to work at the University?

During my final year of my PhD in Bristol, I was headhunted by one of the Professors and had been recommended to join the research team at the Hertfordshire Business School.

Prior to joining UK Higher Education, I had four years of corporate experience, working in one of the largest conglomerate engineering-based government-linked companies in Malaysia. This company, with billions of profits earned every year, is a subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Berhad, the strategic investment fund of the Government of Malaysia. I reported directly to the Head of Department and other Senior Managers and was tasked to lead the recruitment and selection processes to identify the potential quality candidates for the Khazanah and UEM Scholarships. This experience built up my confidence and sparked an interest in teaching as I am able to bring my corporate executive experience into the classroom, enabling me to make theoretical learning a little more grounded especially for both home and international students. I am confident that these professional development and human capital skills that I've acquired mean I add value to the University.

Why do you think we should celebrate International Women's Day?

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a day to celebrate the accomplishments of women in various fields and recognise all these successes. Although the participation of females in the labour market has increased, women are still facing considerable barriers in gaining management positions and are outnumbered by men. Gendered occupational segregation is detrimental to women as it perpetuates gender-based inequalities into future generations, which highlights that management is still gendered in various ways. The hardship experienced by women managers is also caused by the appearance of vertical segregation that places one gender, usually men, at a higher level than others in the same occupational categories. Despite women having entered the workforce in more equal numbers than men in the latter part of the twentieth century, women are still not granted similar rights and privileges, which is not sufficiently recounted in the traditional male model of management. Gender stereotyping of the managerial position fosters bias against women in managerial selection, placement, promotion, and training decisions.

My research study has demonstrated that there are no simple solutions to increasing women’s representation in senior management, with choices affected by the structural patriarchal system, state policies, all set within shifting economic, political, legal and social contexts. However, the intersectional perspectives presented in my research indicates clearly that to some extent, women’s employment in both public and private sectors have not come about without political will, supported by gender quota policies. Policymakers must realise the importance of having women’s representatives and offering opportunities to women’s career development. The policies can be observed as practical initiatives which are short-term measures, or as strategic initiatives which are more long-term measures. IWD will spread the awareness to encourage more women to participate in the labour force. To increase women’s participation in the paid labour force involves a concerted effort by the ministries to incorporate the necessary measures in their efforts to have a more successful outcome. The Ministry of Women needs to work together with the non-governmental bodies to align themselves to collaborate and provide a better system and platform for women to succeed in their paid employment.

On top of that, it is necessary and crucial for men to recognise women’s position in society, their multiple capabilities, resilience and also to capitalise on their multifaceted talents and contribution in various fields instead of treating them as a threat. This includes changing the mindset on the traditional roles of men and women, eliminating discriminatory practices and working towards gender equality. There needs to be an emphasis that work-life balance should not be marginalised as a women’s issue but should be viewed as a national issue. Although the men of today want women to work and participate in paid labour and to help with the household finance, in dual career families, child caring responsibilities and household chores still remain a woman’s domain. Public policies can address gender biases by instilling community awareness, with additional care taken by training programmes towards not highlighting women’s roles as wives, mothers and sisters only but also as equal partners in life. These initiatives will lead to attitudinal changes which are a long-term measure to encourage men to share equally with women the household responsibility and realise that household chores and caring responsibilities are no longer just a woman’s domain. Therefore, IWD plays a huge role in connecting women and educating others on how to smash the glass ceilings and overcome the gender inequality issues around the globe.

What has been your greatest achievement?

I have been blessed with various opportunities and achievements throughout my professional and personal experiences. In 2018, I was listed in the Top 100 Most Influential BAME Powerlist in Bristol, alongside the Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Reese for inspiring the young generations, especially females to pursue my PhD with three young children aged below five years old. I started my PhD when I was 26 and delivered two babies during my PhD journey.

My doctoral research and Masters qualifications, both of which were funded by the Malaysian government, have provided me with the opportunity to gain specialist knowledge directly related to HRM and social science disciplines from various perspectives including career development of senior managers, gender in management, intersection between gender and ethnicity, privilege, critical mass, feminism, international HRM, employee relations, equality law and diversity management, and the issues of inequalities within labour markets.

During the PhD studies, I was invited to present my research in front of the various high-profile individuals including the Chairwoman of Santander UK, Shriti Vadera and Director of Santander Universities, Matt Hutnell, to celebrate the Santander Universities partnership with the UWE Bristol.

I was honoured to be selected as UWE Soapbox Student to give a speech about my research in front of the Chairwoman of the Institute of UK Directors, Lady Barbara Judge and other UK business leaders at Bristol Distinguished Address Series 2016. Despite the challenges I had to encounter, I managed to land a permanent job as a Lecturer in my final year of PhD studies.

I was promoted to a Senior Lecturer in less than three years and in 2021, I was nominated by the non-academic staff as Tutor of the Year for the Vice Chancellor’s Awards 2021. Recently, I have been invited to be one of the judges for the Vice Chancellor’s Awards 2023.

Who is your female role model?

I have three female role models and I always speak highly of them. They are Professors Susan Durbin, Harriet Bradley, and Hazel Conley. These three wonderful Professors have played a crucial role in changing my life by continuously motivating and encouraging me and that I have the capability to succeed in everything I do.  All I need to do is to believe in myself and everything will be amazing.

Meet Carol, Research Delivery Support Officer and Co-Chair of the Menopause Network.

How did you come to work at the University?

I had a place to study Midwifery at the University but fell pregnant with my youngest. This took us to three young daughters, and it just wasn’t feasible to study at the time. I then applied for the part-time role in CPD Health Admissions in the Faculty of Health and Human Science (as it was then) and I'm now in my 21st year at Herts! I recently changed roles and now work in the School of Life and Medical Sciences as a Research Delivery Support Officer.

Why do you think we should celebrate International Women's Day?

I love the conversations and actions of women supporting women, both socially and in the workplace, and more recently in relation to all things perimenopause and menopause. We need to support and celebrate each other, make connections and collaborations, build each other up, if we believe, we can achieve. I also love the quote:

Here’s to strong women:
May we know them
May we be them
May we raise them

What has been your greatest achievement?

This is a hard question as some days it’s been an achievement to just get out of bed! Seriously though, for me I’d have to say getting to a point in life where I’m just happy and content with myself.

Who is your female role model?

To be honest I have, and have had many role models in my life, but I mostly I draw from my close friends and family members.  For me, any woman who believes in herself and supports other women, is a role model in my mind. I’m currently loving Roxie Nafousi, Mel Robbins and Rupi Kaur.