Briefly, could you tell us about your background and career before joining King’s?
My career started at King’s! I completed my Masters in Psychiatric Research at the IoPPN and then started working at the Cicely Saunders Institute before my Masters graduation ceremony. During my Masters, I worked part-time as an assistant psychologist at the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) in Lambeth, and collected data for an addiction and sleep study.
What has been your career progression since joining the Faculty?
During my almost eight years at CSI, I held multiple fixed-term contracts. I worked with Prof Jonathan Koffman on a feasibility cluster randomised controlled trial of a complex intervention for two years. I got to travel up and down the country to collect data from hospitals and conduct interviews at people’s homes. I then worked with Professor Catherine Evans on the MORECare_Capacity review where we combined evidence on how best to include people with diminishing capacity in research with expert opinions. I knew I wanted to move on to a PhD and I gained valuable experiences as a research assistant. After having a few unsuccessful PhD interviews, I successfully got a PhD/Research Assistant role in the Empowering Better Dementia End of Life Care (EMBED-Care) research programme to work with Professor Katherine Sleeman and an amazing team. I successfully completed my PhD which focused on dementia healthcare use and quality of care towards the end of life. I’ve been working as a post-doctoral research associate at the new Policy Research Unit in Palliative and End of Life Care since January 2024. I’m lucky to be supported and have amazing roles in the Institute.
How did you find it moving roles within the Faculty, what support and encouragement have you had from colleagues and managers?
At times stressful, as moving between fixed-term contracts is never easy. However, my line managers and supervisors have always been supportive in my professional development and encouraged me to seek opportunities to enhance my chances of being successful. I am grateful for the support I received when I had to take a break for a loss in my family and when I came back to work not only from the senior team but from all my colleagues. Doing a PhD while working as an Research Assistant was tough at times, but it gave me the stability needed to carry on living in London and I got to work with brilliant colleagues who always encouraged me and were there when I needed to chat!
What would you say to someone looking to develop and grow within the Faculty but unsure about where to start?
Speak with your colleagues. Talk to your line manager or other senior colleagues. Most people are happy to grab a coffee and talk with you. If you know anyone whose work you’re interested in, do not shy away from sending them an email, or even better chatting to them during your lunch break! Experienced colleagues are happy to share resources, their experiences and tips with you.
What is your favourite thing about working at King’s?
Besides having the resources to conduct high-quality research, my favourite thing is my colleagues. I am lucky to work with amazing people from all over the world, who are smart, kind and full of love. I still can’t believe as someone from a small town in North Cyprus, I get to work at a world-leading Institute, at a top-university in London.
What do you do with your time outside of work?
I love cooking and trying food from different cultures. London has a great music and theatre scene. I tend to go to gigs and especially in winter to plays. If I feel stressed, I like going to art exhibitions. Art tends to calm me. I practice yoga a couple of times a week. I exercise with my friends. I love going on long walks with my partner and people-watch in the city.
Quick fire:
Who inspires you most and why?
People’s ability to find the strength to persevere and the capacity to love and help others inspire me every day. Hard to narrow it down to one person.
Ideal dinner guest?
I would love to have Sir Michael Marmot over as a dinner guest. I feel like he would be fun and inspiring!
Favourite quote?
'Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.'
― John Wesley