BNU celebrates International Women's Day 2024

Buck’s Students’ Union’s Amy Pile graduated from BNU in February 2024 while simultaneously holding the position of Vice President Education and Welfare (Uxbridge and Aylesbury). Here, the Adult Nursing alumna talks passionately about what International Women’s Day means for her and how she thrived upon entering education and started advocating for others.

Individuals often go against all odds, creating their own inspiring stories. My journey is all about facing tough times, staying strong and constantly striving for personal and professional growth. 

As a young mother from a disadvantaged background, attending university seemed like an unattainable dream. However, driven by the desire to support my family, I forged ahead. A decade spent working with children, followed by roles as a senior carer in a care home and a healthcare assistant in a prison, laid the foundation of my transformative journey. 

The turning point arrived when encouragement from those around me propelled me to apply for university. Despite grappling with self-doubt, I not only secured a place in the BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing program but also emerged as a dedicated advocate for inclusion and positive change within the academic community. 

Over three impactful years at university, I didn't merely excel academically; with a lot of hard work came the biggest shock of graduating with first-class honours. I assumed various leadership roles, becoming a representative for my group, a school officer for Nursing and Midwifery and the chair of the nursing society. 

However, my advocacy wasn't confined to the classroom. Recognising a practical need, I spearheaded the campaign for changing rooms at the Uxbridge campus, a testament to my commitment to addressing the tangible concerns of my fellow students. 

The pinnacle of recognition came with the honour of being awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Student Affairs at the Student Nursing Times Award in 2023. This accolade not only validated my efforts but also highlighted the profound impact I had on fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. 

My journey continued as I was elected Vice President Education and Welfare Officer with the Bucks Students Union, a role integral to the well-being and support of fellow students. The core of my commitment lies in ensuring that every student feels a sense of belonging.

Although I pursued university at a later stage in my life, I fully immersed myself in the experience. I believe that to be an effective nurse, one must possess qualities such as compassion, advocacy, and a genuine concern for all individuals. These traits have been invaluable to me throughout my personal and professional life. I truly care about people and have grown tremendously as an individual within three years. Previously, I would never have been able to confidently speak in front of over 100 students, but now I can do so with ease and have done so on several occasions. 

By sharing my story, I hope to inspire others facing seemingly impossible challenges. Life's obstacles may be daunting, but with resilience, determination, and a dedication to advocating for the well-being and inclusion of others, we can break down barriers and create a more inclusive world for everyone.

BNU’s Senior Mental Health Advisor, Sana Wasiq, created women-led organisation Zaaviyah Mental Health Services which serves women in Pakistan. Through community work and delivering awareness campaigns at educational institutes, the organisation has had a significant impact on a national level, which Sana attributes to working alongside other ‘strong and independent’ women.

I am Pakistani by origin and was born and bred there. I lived in a south Asian society with specific gender norms; not many women in my family aspired to go abroad for further education. However, as a deep thinker and instigator of change I really wanted to step out of the norms and take on a journey to pursue a Masters degree abroad. 

Engulfed by those gender norms and a deep-seated disbelief of ‘how can women do all of this?’, I reluctantly applied for the Fulbright scholarship. Words spoken by a friend who mentored me at the time still stay with me, ‘What is there to lose? However, imagine what could you possibly gain from this experience if it happened’. 

We can call it luck, fate, a sudden strong sense of belief in myself or a really good application, I got the scholarship and went ahead to pursue a dual Masters degree at Columbia University. The two years of education were incredible and phenomenal in shaping me into who I am today. It offered a wealth of knowledge and skillset that I am forever grateful for. While on this educational journey I met with some amazing women who shared a vision like mine. 

After completion of my degree I partnered with another person from my Fulbright cohort and we created an organization called Zaaviyah Mental Health Services, with the aim to demystify and destigmatise mental health within the South Asian context. We created an Instagram presence and through our social media are making mental health conversations understandable for all individuals.

Zaaviyah Mental Health Services is a women led organisation and even though the aim was never to limit the recruitment to women only, somehow the audience and the team have been mostly women. We have done a lot of community work in Pakistan, through awareness campaigns in educational institutes, doing seminars at various organizations, creating mental health ambassadors in Universities and creating manuals for free access to local communities. In a short span of four years we have created a significant impact at a national level and hope to widen our horizons further. 

Looking back at my twenty-something old self who had big dreams, I can safely say I have been able to follow and also achieve some of them and doing that alongside strong and independent women is the best part about it!

Diana Downer is part of the current BNU cohort of Aurora, a programme addressing the under-representation of women in Higher Education Leadership positions. Here, the Senior Lecturer tells how the programme encourages women to progress their career upwards, become confident to pursue opportunities and reach their full potential.

Aurora is a women’s leadership development program run by Advance HE. It strives to take positive action to address the underrepresentation of women in Higher Education leadership roles. I first heard about Aurora a few years ago when BNU cohorts were celebrating their completion of the program. As I read some of the testimonials and learned more about Aurora, I was intrigued.

Aurora (named after the Roman goddess of dawn) is a journey of discovery, reflection and self-awareness. You can take as much or as little from the program and act on what speaks to you. Now in its tenth year, with over 10,000 alumni in the UK and Ireland, Aurora continues to grow and evolve.

As part of the 2023/24 cohort, I took part in seven online sessions over five months with almost 300 women in each session. It was an incredibly inclusive experience to listen to the stories that many of us shared as women. From personal backgrounds, to upbringing, to family life and career - every woman’s voice was heard, valued and respected. A range of guest speakers added to the diversity of the program and covered a variety of themes. 

The eighth session was a live face-to-face event in London. It was amazing to feel the positive energy radiate from a room of 300 women – all committed to empowering and supporting each other. It was a great chance to meet the women I had connected with online and network with new peers. The BNU Aurora network is continuing to grow. I would encourage any woman to apply and see where the journey takes you!

There is no shortage of literature (or experiences) that evidence the different challenges women can face, especially in the workforce. As the ones who are more likely to take on caring roles (in various ways), women’s career paths are not always progressing upward. As women, we have a multitude of skills, knowledge and experience to bring to the table. My hope is that every woman recognises her true potential and becomes confident enough to unapologetically pursue any opportunity. Wishing all women a wonderful International Women’s Day 2024!

BNU's Senior Lecturer Rania Khbais is the first Arab female to achieve a Master’s degree in Aviation Security, as well as multiple other qualifications in the field. Here, the expert addresses the challenges women in the Aviation Security sector face, as well as detailing her own inspirational journey in education.

International Women’s Day honours the women, who have, and continue to campaign and raise awareness with regards to women’s rights. Reflecting on my own journey in aviation security, I have experienced prejudice and witnessed first-hand the lack of female presence in the aviation security management discipline.

Having been the first Arab female to achieve the ICAO Aviation Security Professional Manager qualification and the ICAO Aviation Security Instructor certification, this topic has always attracted my attention, meriting it to be the topic of my degree. This also makes me the first Arab female to achieve a Master’s degree in Aviation Security.

I was told many times by different people that I was ‘homely’ and will not do anything of significance with my life, I am glad to say I have proved many wrong.  More importantly, I have proved to myself that I am as capable as anyone to achieve what I aspire to be. I have had to work harder to achieve that aspiration especially with being a mother in full-time employment. Highlighting the barriers which are faced by women in their career choice and trajectory is the way forward to address these issues.

Aviation in general, and the Aviation Security discipline in particular, have traditionally been considered a masculine occupation and are still largely dominated by men. Women remain underrepresented where they account for a small percentage of aviation top leadership roles, pilots, flight engineers and mechanics. On the rare occasions when female contribution to aviation security is documented, reference is usually made to female x-ray screeners. 

The barriers and challenges that women face are universal. Many States and societies endeavour to increase awareness with regards to the role of women in the workplace and encourage girls and women into education. Subsequently, this is reflected in organisational practices where organisations are working hard to provide and achieve equal recruitment opportunities to reflect the societal needs and aspirations.

The promotion of aviation security within the educational system is essential to enable the introduction of new generation to a wider variety of career choices. Additionally, the promotion of successful female aviation security role models is essential to encouraging social and cultural change. 

By holding up female aviation security practitioners as role models, the next generation of women can see and understand the opportunity and possibility of choosing such careers.  This increased visibility within society may condition the way society perceives women’s capabilities in working and leading in careers that are considered non-traditional and masculine. 

In conclusion, although the aviation security management discipline is still a man’s world, to varying degrees in different countries, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon, as evidenced by the continuous reforms of laws and practices that affect gender equality issues around the world and the slow but steady increase of female participation in this occupation.

Alumna Kirsty Pinson studied at BNU when it was known as Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College. She graduated in 2002 after being the only woman on her course to study for an HNC in Building Studies on a part-time basis in the evenings, alongside working full-time. 

After leaving school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. A career in the building and construction industry wasn’t something I considered until later on. As a child I’d struggled academically, especially with maths and reading, but went on to complete my NVQ Level 1 and 2 Secretarial on YTS (Youth Training Scheme) at 16. 

I went on to work in an administrative capacity for agencies, as well as being a Nanny for a family with young children. 

After travelling around Australia for three months, I returned to a secretarial role working for quantity surveyors at Banner Homes, which sparked my interest in the building and construction industry and considered going back into education to further my career opportunities. 

I took on a Project Administrator role at a new division of Timber Research and Development Association while doing my GNVQ Level 3 Business and Administration to gain the qualifications to do an HNC Building Studies. 

During this time, I was actively encouraged to make site visits which further influenced my decision to go to university part-time in the evenings alongside full-time work. 

I went on to work for Portal Architectural Glazing, creating the glass roof for the Members of Parliaments’ office, Portcullis House, as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor. 

After deciding to return to education, I enrolled at Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College on the HNC Building Studies course, where I was the only woman out of 15 students.  

Despite being nervous when I started, I was made to feel welcome and was often asked for advice on certain elements such as the coursework by my peers.  

Initially I was anxious when attending site visits as I was the only woman there and it wasn't standard for the industry at the time. However, after establishing myself in the role everyone was really accepting and polite, and I felt included. I went on to graduate with a distinction award. 

Lynsey McLeish is Head of Skills and Simulation Practice at BNU following a career as an intensive care nurse in the Royal Air Force. Read on to find out more about her transformational journey, which included working in Iraq and Afghanistan and contributing to the evolution of military training.

Throughout my 13-year tenure as an intensive care nurse in the Royal Air Force, my commitment to inclusivity and the care of injured troops has been at the forefront of my experiences. From retrieving critical care patients worldwide to deploying in high-stakes environments, including Afghanistan & Iraq, I have consistently demonstrated a dedication to providing top-notch care to those in need.

My journey evolved as I transitioned into the role of an instructor in critical care transfers, where I spearheaded initiatives to enhance inclusivity and innovation in aeromedical evacuation training. Redesigning the curriculum to adopt a more active learning style with a simulation-focused approach, I ensured trainees were well-prepared for deployable roles. High-fidelity simulations, including live flying on aircraft platforms, became integral parts of the training, providing a realistic and immersive experience.

In response to the evolving landscape of military training, I initiated a Management Project to introduce mandatory training through an e-learning program. This not only increased trainees' knowledge before attending the Critical Care Air Support team (CCAST) course but also emphasized inclusivity by creating an e-learning platform from scratch with high-quality interactive educational videos.

My commitment to the well-being of deployable teams was further evident in the reinvigoration of a simulated assurance training exercise, addressing human factors and providing assurance and governance to higher echelons. Recognizing the importance of efficiency, I streamlined training by identifying and merging duplicated objectives from two courses, reducing course demand, cutting costs, and lessening the training burden on the squadron. This not only improved morale for trainees but also minimized time away from clinical practice.

As a strategic operator, I explored placements to increase personnel's flight exposure with civilian organizations, ensuring that the RAF Medical services maintained the necessary skills and experience for delivering aeromedical evacuation at a high standard. My multifaceted role included coaching and mentoring new instructors, contributing to the development of highly capable military educators.

In the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, I actively participated in the Quick Reaction Vaccination Team for OP Rescript, spending four months vaccinating in care homes and reaching home-bound patients. This experience reinforced my commitment to inclusivity and public health during challenging times. Additionally, my deployment as part of Operation Pitting which was the UK's military evacuation mission from Kabul, Afghanistan, in August 2021, following the Taliban takeover.

Recently resigning as an instructor for the CCAST course, I leave behind a legacy of innovative training methods, inclusivity, and a steadfast commitment to the well-being of those I served. My journey in the Royal Air Force has been a testament to the integration of compassionate care, cutting-edge training, and a commitment to inclusivity in the field of military healthcare.

BSc Intelligence Security and Resilience course leader Fiona Galbraith is also a small business owner in the farming sector. Here, the senior lecturer talks inspiring women to enter the industry, and the positive impact her skillset has on her work at the university.

Alongside my work as an academic here at the university, I also run a small training organisation which specialises in the farming and conservation industries. We have grown from initially working primarily with military veterans and now work with a wider community from a range of backgrounds.

There is a real drive to improve diversity in British agriculture at the moment. A great many young women are entering the sector - some taking on farms from their parents but many using educational routes to enter with no prior experience - and there is also a focus on widening access to the land to a wider community as well as applying new technologies to food production - including “vertical farms” which are often underground in our cities. 

I find that my role as a small business owner is wholly complementary to the work we do here, particularly the entrepreneurial skills and approach I have developed which is now at the service of my BNU school as we look to be increasingly entrepreneurial in developing innovative ideas to generate university income.

It also has given me the skills and contacts to run an opportunity module - Discovering Professional Skills - which supports students to improve their career search and development skills.

Perhaps, in future, as the course I lead grows - BSc Intelligence Security and Resilience - we may include a module or even pathway on Food Security as this is an increasingly important area, being referenced by the Prime Minister when the spoke at the National Farmers Union Conference in February this year.

We are all in business now so it is great that business people like myself are able to keep current whilst also contributing fully to the continuous development of the university.

Not only is Jacqueline Roberts proud alumna of BNU, but she is also chief executive of SV2G, a African and Caribbean Arts and Heritage organisation based in High Wycombe. She has a passion for addressing racial injustice and has led an active voluntary career supporting local communities for over three decades.

I co-founded and became the Chief Executive of SV2G (St. Vincent and the Grenadines 2nd Generation), an African & Caribbean Heritage charity which offers a range of creative arts and heritage programmes that empower and develop young people of various diverse backgrounds.

We recently signed an MOU with BNU to foster relationships improving race equality amongst other developments within the African and Caribbean communities.

As a Fellow at the Royal Society of Arts and a BNU Alumna, I have worked in the public and voluntary sector, as well as many fields including research, policy, race relations, community development training and heritage consultancy. With a longstanding interest in history, I have also curated exhibitions on African and Caribbean history notably the Coming Back Home migration and settlement oral history project that was exhibited in Parliament. I have been actively involved in various history projects and am the author of ‘George Alexander Gratton’, a book based on the Vincentian’s life in Britain and the conservation of his grave. I am also a Trustee at Marlow Museum, Buckinghamshire.

I have also led an active voluntary career based upon my passion for racial justice alongside my professional career. As well as supporting local communities for the past 35 years, I have also played an active role in social enterprises and faith-based organisations. For the past 20 years, I have held a range of advisory roles across the Criminal Justice sector and Civil Service working in partnership across the public and private sector.  I also served as a Home Office Adviser on the National Expert Steering Group for Serious Violence Reduction Units and on matters relating to Windrush that has extended my work serving communities

For International Women’s Day, my wish is for all women to feel valued, empowered and that they continue to uplift each other.