My scientific research background comprises research in Biochemistry and Neuroscience areas, with a particular focus on stem cell research, neurodegeneration and ageing. Having spent time dissecting the biological systems and partaking in disease mechanisms, in my current role as a Talk, Listen, Change Senior Research Fellow and TLC Research Programme Coordinator, I am working towards understanding the physical and socio-economic factors that can contribute to patient healthcare by utilising qualitative research to create new, accessible programmes that meet EDI initiatives in public health and social care systems.

I am a multi-lingual British Kashmiri research assistant on the Talk, Listen Change (TLC) Workforce Research Programme. I have a background in youth and community development. My research fieldwork and community engagement focusses on reducing health and social care inequalities. Recent research projects include the carer’s wellbeing project which focussed on the role of renal carers in psychological interventions for haemodialysis patients from South Asian backgrounds, an exploration of patient’s experiences of living with chronic kidney disease, screening for depression in South Asian patients with end stage renal disease, the impact of COVID-19 on Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities, vaccine uptake and confidence in diverse communities, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) pathways for mothers with gestational diabetes in Bedfordshire Hospitals. The Young Luton Voices (YLV) project which explored the impact of COVID-19 on young people’s mental health and co-created solutions, the TLC project to increase the uptake and retention of referrals to Total Wellbeing’s tier 2-child weight management programme in Luton and Chalkscapes: co-creating spaces for helping diverse communities to use green spaces and the countryside. I am currently working on the Collaborative Targeted Outreach Programme (CTOP) which aims to engage and inspire people from diverse backgrounds to consider courses and careers in health and social care. I am a practitioner in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP).

I am a multi-lingual British Bangladeshi research assistant on the Talk, Listen Change (TLC) Workforce Research Programme. I have extensive experience of managing charities, research fieldwork and community engagement. I have carried out research fieldwork for a number of projects including: exploring views on and experiences providing remote weight management services as a result of the pandemic, Chalkscapes; co-creating solutions with diverse communities using local landscapes, exploring the impact and experiences of COVID-19 on health behaviour and physical and mental health well-being of people living with a chronic condition/s from Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities in Luton, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) pathways for mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus during COVID-19 in Bedfordshire Hospitals, the impact of COVID-19 on Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities in Luton, Chalkscapes: co-creating spaces for helping diverse communities to use green spaces and the countryside. I am managing and carrying out fieldwork for the ‘making it to the registers’ documenting migrant carers’ experiences of registration and fitness to practice and community engagement for the Collaborative Targeted Outreach Programme (CTOP) which aims to engage and inspire people from diverse backgrounds to consider courses and careers in health and social care. I am the founder and project manager for A Creative Expression Ltd: which is an organisation set up to advance in life and help children and young people through the provision of recreational and leisure time activities, a member of Bury Park Female Washing and Shrouding Group, A Tutor of Science of Tajweed (Quran recitation) and Team Member for PACT: Improving health care, to build a safer and brighter future for everyone.

I joined the Culture and Community Engagement team as a Heritage Projects Officer in September 2022 and commenced my practice-led PhD with the Research Institute of Media, Art, and Performance in October 2023.

My area of research will focus on the social and cultural history of community radio stations in three super-diverse towns (Birmingham, Leicester, and Luton), through the curation of a life-story archive. The working thesis title is Analogue/Analog Memories of Digital Transformation: Oral History Transmissions of Community Radio Management Participation.

I am currently working with Professor Nasreen Ali on the Collaborative Targeted Outreach Programme (CTOP) to explore the barriers and enablers to workforce diversity, career progression and integrated care in the health and social care workforce in Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes (BLMK). We aim to develop a heritage project using an oral history approach to record the historical narratives and career stories of NHS and Social Work staff working in BLMK.

I came to academia as an oral historian, features journalist and community and public radio practitioner, having worked in online and print media, including BBC Radio 2 and 4 as a producer in magazine format programmes and as an operations and volunteer manager and producer/presenter in community radio.

One of my strengths is developing place-based methodologies to amplify community heritage projects that intersect migration, participatory approaches, and production processes, with a focus on pathways to employment. With my expertise in collaborative and interdisciplinary models, I am a strong advocate for outcomes focused on capacity building.