Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Find out about the members of staff and students who are part of our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee and what led them to coming to the Department.
Professor Jo Shien Ng
"After gaining my first degree, I decided to remain in the department to pursue a research degree because of the department's profile in semiconductor research. I then stayed on for my first post-doc position, followed by the Royal Society Research Fellowship, and eventually transitioning into ‘ordinary’ academic positions. Reflecting on the many years I have spent in this department, I think there are two things that make me feel so ‘at home’ here.
The department has a very diverse makeup of staff and students from all over the world, so I have felt welcome from the time I joined as an undergraduate. I hope the new students or staff joining us now feel the same way as I did.
There is also a nurturing culture, so I have always felt I have plenty of rooms for me to grow in both strictly research activities and wider skills. Colleagues would support me in doing something new, by sharing their experience or joining me to work on it. The nurturing culture also helped me in navigating the challenges of working while raising a family. I can recall the department agreeing to a late-notice extension of my first maternity leave, plus several subsequent flexible working requests as I rejigged my working patterns!"
Dr. Rola Saad
“I joined the EEE department in 2011 to begin my PhD in Communications. Prior to this I had completed my MSc in South Wales, and my undergraduate in Beirut.
Joining the EEE department Communications group, as a researcher, was one of the best decisions I have made. I have enjoyed being part of a thriving research environment and contributing to pioneering work in the field where I continued to pursue my career development in the areas of RF, metamaterial and antennas.
As a working parent, being able to balance work and family life is very important, and EEE fully supported my needs in managing my PhD supervision where I continued to be a successful candidate. During this time, I was also encouraged to conduct teaching activities, learning vital skills in supervising students and assessment. Therefore, I developed additional interests in utilising my engineering expertise to focus on developments within the Higher Education sector and I became an AFHEA before completing my PhD studies.
The EEE department has a diverse staff and student body, with a well-developed sense of community and belonging, and I have always found it a friendly and supportive place to study and work at. Therefore, I have now joined the academic team at EEE, as a full time University Teacher, working within a dynamic group of enthusiastic and driven staff as we embrace key themes of sustainability, inclusion, and diversity."
Dr. Mahmoud Masoud
"My journey to being a staff member in the EEE department at the University of Sheffield, has been long! From 1996 to 1999 I gained my BSc and MSc, respectively, from Alexandria University, Egypt. I got the chance to get my PhD at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland, in 2003. I returned to Egypt to work as a lecturer and consultant engineer. In 2007, I decided to pursue my research by joining the Power Electronics and Energy Conversion group at Strathclyde University.
From 2009 - 2020, I combined my research, teaching, and field experience as an Associate Professor at Beirut Arab University, Lebanon and Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. I am proud to say some of my students are currently PhD holders in reputed universities worldwide. In 2016, I was promoted to a full Professor. At the same time, I have a passion for innovative teaching styles and I attended various training courses to improve the engineering students’ process skills. Hence, I decided to apply for the higher education academy fellowship from outside the UK, which was a big challenge.
Once I saw the EEE department advertisement, I could not resist applying for a University Teacher position. I felt that I would have a role in this department. I am proud of what I did from teaching and scholarly work, but I think the most significant achievement remains ahead. I will achieve it with the EEE department, University of Sheffield."