Saima has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology (The University of Manchester); a TrinityCertTESOL; a PGCE and QTS in Social Science Education (UCL Institute of Education); and an MSc in International Development (University of Bristol). She holds Senior Fellowship Status of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA).

Saima has taught social science in international schools in Kenya, Tanzania and Turkey, and in the UK. In Tanzania, she also worked as University Counsellor – supporting pre-university students with access to Higher Education institutions in Africa, Australia, Canada, Europe and North America. Saima has worked extensively on inclusive curriculum and assessment design, and on education programme development within the not-for-profit sector – exploring the intersections of psychology, education, and development. This has included working as Education Adviser for donor funded projects in Ghana. Prior to joining King’s, Saima designed and convened the International Foundation Programme ‘Foundations of Psychology’ and ‘Introduction to the Social Sciences’ modules as Subject Lead at University of Bristol.

She is a member of the King’s 100 Staff Panel and of King’s Foundations’ EDI working group. Her interests include educational access and using education for social justice causes.