Join our alumni panel as they discuss their experiences of studying and getting a job with a disability.
Our panel of recent graduates, as well as the co-chairs of the Colleague Disability Network, will highlight the lived experiences of people with disabilities. There will be a particular focus on experiences of studying at the University of Westminster, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, and of both finding work and adapting to the world of work.
The panel will answer audience questions during the Q&A session following the panel discussion.
About the speakers
Andrew Scarborough, freelance medical writer (Human and Medical Science BSc, 2019)
Andrew Scarborough currently works as a freelance medical writer alongside work with Health Education England to support Primary Care in the South East.
Andrew has spoken on several platforms about research into metabolic therapies and has detailed his personal experiences on the potential of novel compounds to manage brain tumour related epilepsy (BTRE).
In 2013, while studying for a Master’s degree in Nutritional Therapy at the University of Westminster, Andrew suffered a brain haemorrhage which revealed an underlying anaplastic astrocytoma brain tumour. Following this devastating diagnosis, Andrew realised there were few options to treat the disease beyond the standard of care.
Andrew’s experiences sparked an interest in investigating why brain tumours are so difficult to treat, returning to higher education to study with a focus on cancer biology.
Commencing these studies with a BSc in Human and Medical Science, he gained further experience in a brain tumour research laboratory at Imperial College London, before going on to postgraduate study in Clinical Bioinformatics with the University of Manchester. In future Andrew aims to either return to the laboratory environment to complete a PhD or work full time as a medical writer once he has achieved personal performance targets with Health Education England.
Andrew has a great appreciation for science communication and works part time writing articles for the International Brain Tumour Alliance. The IBTA is an organisation that brings together experience and expertise from all over the world, providing hope to brain tumour patients, carers and health professionals. It is Andrew’s belief that raising awareness of emerging treatments, clinical trials and evidence-based research empowers patients and provides us all with promise for a better future.
Andrew feels that the support he received during his time as a student at Westminster has helped him to navigate a career path which aligns to his career aspirations.
Asher Olobia, postgraduate student, King’s College London (Biomedical Sciences BSc, 2021)
Asher is currently studying for a Master’s in Pharmacology at King’s College London, having graduated from the University of Westminster with a First Class Honours in Biomedical Science (BSc). She has bilateral sensorineural moderate to severe hearing loss and wears hearing aids in both ears. Asher is very motivated, hard-working, driven and has not allowed her disability to deter her from striving in her education/ career. She is very appreciative and grateful for the support she received from the disability team at Westminster. Asher feels without the disability team support, access to her learning would have been very difficult. She aims to work in the pharmaceutical industry following completion of her Master’s degree. Asher hopes to inspire others to achieve their goals.
Bibi Farheen Rohomun, Medical Laboratory Assistant (Biochemistry), Health Service Laboratories (Biomedical Sciences BSc, 2021)
Bibi Farheen Rohomun is a recent graduate from University of Westminster, with a First Class Honours degree in Biomedical Science. Bibi was born with a severe-profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears, and has been wearing hearing aids since a young age. While studying at University of Westminster, she received numerous support from the staff and students to help her progress academically through attaining extra support such as a notetaker in lectures, extra time in exams as well as allowing Bibi to be able to understand and communicate efficiently with lipreading. Bibi is thankful and appreciative to all who have supported her and guided her to getting help, as she feels that she wouldn't have progressed as well as she did without it.
After graduating in 2021, she started working in Health Service Laboratories (HSL) as a Medical Laboratory Assistant in the Specimen Reception Area, and has recently progressed to working in the Biochemistry department. She enjoys her job as an MLA and is planning to train as a Biomedical Scientist in the future. She is very passionate about the field of Biomedical Science, and will hopefully continue onto postgraduate study once she has achieved her professional goals.
Chair: Dr Claire Robertson, Senior Lecturer in Nutrition & Public Health, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Disability Tutor, and Founder and Co-chair of Colleague Disability Network, University of Westminster
Claire champions provision for all those at University of Westminster who are impacted by disability and health concerns. She became Disability Tutor in 2016, reflecting then on the need for students (and staff dealing) with disparate presentations of support needs linked to reasons relating to health. Claire has extensive experience collaborating with colleagues across the University, contributing to multiple projects which have enhanced current (e.g., Disability Learning Support Student Registration Enhancement project) and created new (e.g., Student Hub, Colleague Disability Network) provisions for those affected by issues broadly classified as (dis)ability-related.
Chair: Daniela de Silva, Academic Engagement Manager (Accessibility), Academic Professional Development Fellow at CETI (Centre for Education and Teaching Innovation), and Founder and Co-chair of Colleague Disability Network, University of Westminster
Daniela is a specialist in neurodiversity and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy with a wealth of experience providing support for disabled students at the University of Westminster. She is passionate about the disabled students’ experience drawing from an in-depth knowledge of student services and comprehensive understanding of academic requirements. Proficient in creating effective networks, designing and realising projects at operational and strategic levels, her work on inclusive course design has enhanced academic staff development and promoted good practice across the University.
