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Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am from Lahore, Pakistan, which is a very vibrant city - a “city that never sleeps”. Lahore was twinned with Glasgow in 2006, one of the reasons for me being here. I started teaching in 2008 when I stumbled across the field of speech and language therapy. Having mixed abilities students in my class made me more interested in this field and finally I switched from teaching to speech and language therapy, just to know how awesome the field of speech and language therapy is. I completed my Masters in Speech and Language Therapy in 2015, and found out that the field is comparatively new in Pakistan, and a lot of work has to be done in the field.
After completing my Masters I worked as a speech therapist in a couple of private institutions, but the longing to learn more about the field amplified. I became more interested in learning about human behaviours, and how people express themselves in different languages and what happens when they are unable to communicate due to a communication disorder. I was always curious to learn about different speech patterns and disorders which led me to do more research in my field, to learn more and to be a useful individual.
The field of SLT is diverse, where one works with diverse clients with different needs, and the learning never stops and that awesome feeling when a client achieves a goal is overwhelming.
I decided to create more awareness about Speech and Language Therapy and wanted to do more research in the field than has already been done in Pakistan.
Why did you choose Strathclyde for your postgraduate research study?
The University of Strathclyde’s School of Psychological Sciences and Health is one of the best schools with multidisciplinary research groups. Also, The University of Strathclyde is one of the oldest institutions in Glasgow and one of the leading universities in the UK.
Tell us about the nature of your research?
My research is about people who suffer from speech disorders resulting from a neurological condition/ disorder. I wanted to know how much this condition impacts the patients, both psychologically and socially and what can be done to improve the quality of life of such patients.
What do you like about your research area?
I am able to get the vivid descriptions of how people feel after major life changing events. The area I am working will enable me to be aware of psychological and social impact of such life changing disorders/events. The best thing about my research is that this will enable me and other SLTs to make better therapy plans for patients. There is a sense of achievement and fulfillment which is tremendous.
What’s the Strathclyde research community like?
Strathclyde’s research community is very professional and research oriented. There are variety of workshops and trainings provided for the development of PGRs. These workshops and trainings are very stimulating and motivating. Also, the tutors/ instructors providing these workshops are very professional, extremely supportive and incredible.
What are the Strathclyde facilities like?
There are innumerable facilities provided like the support from the library, IT, support for the international students, the help from the students’ career centre, and the well-being centre, Strathclyde Sport to name a few.
Tell us about the support from your supervisor and the wider Strathclyde team?
I am so lucky to have amazing supervisors, they are leading academics in their fields. Both of my supervisors have been very professional, approachable and supportive. They have been available all the time. The wider Strathclyde team is wonderful and incredible as well, all the departments, be it the IT, library, finance or the Humanities and Social Sciences graduate support team.
I would especially mention the support I got from the Humanities and Social Sciences Graduate School, they have been very helpful in all the ways from the very first day till now.
What's the best thing about Strathclyde?
The best thing about Strathclyde is that it is in the heart of the city centre, has the best campus, has a student-centred approach, and provides with so many opportunities to engage, learn and grow as a researcher.
What are your ambitions for the future?
I would like to be an academic and would like to contribute more to my field by continuing my research.
